The Building Industry Association of Clark County's (BIACC) annual GRO Parade of Homes will return this September, inviting visitors to explore eight custom homes showcasing the latest trends in residential design, technology and craftsmanship.
Celebrating its 49th year, the event runs Sept. 10-27 in the Emerald Grove community of Salmon Creek. The single-site showcase features homes built on expansive 16,000-square-foot lots by some of Southwest Washington's leading builders and designers, highlighting everything from wellness-focused amenities and energy-efficient construction to indoor-outdoor living and integrated smart home technology.
"This is our 49th year of the parade," BIA Executive Officer Noelle Lovern said. "One of the 49 years we had to cancel for COVID, but this is our 49th anniversary, so next year is our 50th. So that's pretty exciting for us."
Lovern said the event has regained its momentum following the pandemic.
"Like everything else, there's been some recovery years after COVID, and I feel like we're now back to a normal parade where we have eight houses,” she said, “and we're excited to welcome the entire community of Southwest Washington all the way down into Oregon to our Parade of Homes in September and feature some fantastic builders doing some really innovative things, including wellness features and the indoor-outdoor living that's so popular in the Pacific Northwest, as well as a lot of technology features and then entertainment and all sorts of things.”
Beyond showcasing luxury homes, the Parade will also feature remodeling resources, local vendors and community partnerships.
"We will be having some other features throughout the show, helping the general public understand where they can get some of these products, but also how they can connect for other types of services as far as remodeling and updating and things like that," Lovern said.
The event also continues its charitable mission. One dollar from every adult admission and all proceeds from children's tickets benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The Parade will also include a food drive honoring a late BIA staff member and a clothing drive organized through the association's Professional Women in Building in partnership with the YWCA.
The GRO Parade of Homes opens with VIP Night from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, followed by public tours beginning Sept. 11. The event is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 27. Industry & Design Day is scheduled for Sept. 17 and includes designer-led home tours, a fashion show and an evening networking event.
General admission is $20 for visitors ages 12 and older, while children ages 3-12 are admitted for $5. Adult season passes are available for $50, and attendees can enhance their visit through the new GRO Parade of Homes mobile app, which includes interactive maps, builder profiles, home features and event schedules.
For more information, visit groparadeofhomes.com/web/.
During a visit to preview the Parade of Homes site, four builders were able to detail what they will have in store for this year's visitors.
Genesis Homes NW draws inspiration from Finnish heritage
Among this year's featured homes is Genesis Homes NW's entry, The Kupari, spearheaded by Lilli Arveli and her husband, Jason, who infused the residence with Scandinavian influences inspired by Finnish heritage.
"The home is actually started with an initial inspiration of travels to Europe last summer," Arveli said. "We visited Finland, which is where my entire family's from, and we went to Iceland, and we were in the process of designing the house at the time. So a lot of our inspiration came from that."
The 3,900-square-foot home is named in honor of Arveli's grandmother, who died shortly after the family returned from Finland at age 101. The design emphasizes family gathering spaces centered around a three-sided fireplace, while incorporating a fully functional 700-square-foot accessory dwelling unit inspired by the small cottages common throughout Scandinavia.
"We really focus on practicality, not always the big wow factor, especially because a lot of Scandinavian design and thinking is really about practicality," Arveli said.
Visitors will also find authentic Finnish touches throughout the home, including a traditional sauna and textiles brought back from Finland.
Sanctuary Builds embraces nature
Making its Parade debut, Sanctuary Builds is showcasing a home centered on tranquility and a connection with the outdoors.
Owner Zac Lindemann said his company joined the project after construction had already begun but immediately recognized the home's potential.
"As soon as I saw the design, I was like, 'This is a beautiful house. I really want to see this come to life,'" Lindemann said.
Designed around a central open-sky courtyard connected by a floating bridge, the home emphasizes expansive glass walls, natural materials and views of the neighboring landscape.
"The home is just designed to be a relaxing sanctuary, really a place you can unwind and rejuvenate the spirit," Lindemann said of the home, aptly named The Sanctuary. "It's all going to be very natural. We're not doing any real glossy textures or anything like that. It's a lot of natural feeling textures and a very calming, tranquil kind of vibe to the house."
Unique features include a sauna with a large glass viewing window, floating staircase, abundant indoor plantings and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Lindemann and his wife are also preparing for another milestone.
"We also have our first baby on the way, which is due 10 days before the parade starts," he said with a laugh.
European cottage charm meets modern performance
Builder Niall Glavin, Glavin Development, returns to the Parade with a custom home designed to feel timeless and welcoming.
Having grown up in a family of home builders, Glavin said creating custom homes has become his passion.
"I've been around building homes as a kid," he said. "My dad was a home builder and so was my uncle, so I've been around it from a young age. I really enjoy building custom high-end homes."
This year's home embraces a European cottage aesthetic complete with reclaimed materials, copper accents and sustainable building practices hidden behind the walls.
"We're going for a European cottage," Glavin said. "The wow factor is like the house is inviting and you want to be there and you want to live in the space."
Named "The Copper Hearth," the home features copper chimney shrouds, gutters and lighting inspired by traditional English manor homes.
"The hearth is the heart of the home and that's why we kind of tied that together," Glavin said.
Family team emphasizes family-focused design
Pacific Coast Homes Builder Oleg Shtanhei brings years of experience from both Ukraine and the United States to this year's Parade with ‘The Edmond.’
The modern traditional home boasts 4,900 square feet with two levels.
After moving to the United States nearly a decade ago from Ukraine, Shtanhei established his building company and now completes as many as 15 homes annually while also developing townhome communities throughout the region.
“Their signature Northwest modern aesthetic delivers an elite blend of contemporary design, massive windows flooded with natural light, and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces built for year-round enjoyment,” the Parade of Homes website states. Say goodbye to cookie-cutter layouts, because every unique floor plan features curated designer finishes, hidden pantries, and custom built-ins that exude pure sophistication.”
BIA representatives noted that the home's inspiration centers on creating spaces designed for family life, reflecting the importance of bringing people together. While Shtanhei and his wife Alinachka partner in builds and design with Pacific Coast Homes, the family emphasis continues to Shtanhei's 18-year-old son Naz who now builds homes himself.
