Woodhouse Group Recognized for Excellence in Construction

March 27, 2025

 

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Kitchener, ON — Local general contracting firm Woodhouse Group was recognized with two awards at the 2025 Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) Building Excellence Awards, held on March 21 at Bingemans in Kitchener.

 

The biennial GVCA Building Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in construction, design, innovation, and project execution by member companies across Waterloo Region and surrounding areas. This year’s event brought together contractors, consultants, architects, and industry professionals to recognize the work shaping the built environment of our community.

 

"We’re incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the opportunity to work on projects that reflect both the history and future of our region," said Joe Woodhouse, Chief Executive Officer at Woodhouse Group. “These two projects represent very different scopes and challenges, but they’re both about building on the past to create something meaningful for the future. That’s the kind of work we’re most excited to be part of.”

 

Woodhouse Group took home awards for the following categories:

 

Commercial $2–5 Million: Hans Haus Inc. (17 Benton Street, Kitchener)

 

A downtown Kitchener building with deep community roots, the former Hans Haus building (best known as the Bavarian-themed headquarters of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest) was transformed into a modern, mixed-use commercial space. In partnership with NEO Architecture, Woodhouse Group led a thoughtful renovation that preserved the historic red brick façade, added a fourth floor, integrated energy-efficient upgrades, and created boutique offices and street-level retail.

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Restoration / Conversion: Dickson Public School Adaptive Reuse (65 St. Andrew Street, Cambridge)

 

Originally built in 1876 and a longstanding heritage landmark in Galt, the former Dickson Public School was converted into ten character-rich rental units through a collaborative effort between Woodhouse Group, John MacDonald Architects, and Summerco Properties. The project preserved key architectural elements (original wood floors, stone walls, and tin ceilings) while integrating modern systems, accessibility upgrades, and thoughtful design to meet today’s residential needs. 

Joe Woodhouse also expressed appreciation for the Grand Valley Construction Association, adding, “The GVCA plays an important role in supporting our industry and bringing people together. We’re grateful for their leadership and for putting on events like this that celebrate the incredible work happening across Waterloo Region.”

 

Other award recipients at this year’s event included Melloul-Blamey Construction, Zehr Group, Ball Construction, and Collaborative Structures Limited, representing a wide cross-section of excellence across the construction industry. 

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