AURORA, Colo., February 27, 2008 – Southshore, a waterside masterplanned community in southeast Aurora, today celebrated its appearance on the national stage. The community, which overlooks the Aurora Reservoir, has been named the “National Masterplanned Community of the Year,” by the National Sales & Marketing Council of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB).

The award was presented at “The Nationals,” a black-tie ceremony, attended by more than 1,000 people on February 13 during the NAHB’s annual conference in Orlando, Fla. Southshore was judged by eight panel members from throughout the country on such criteria as: implementation and creativity of the marketing plan, cost, continuity of all marketing phases, landscape design and community planning. For a list of other awards Southshore won at The Nationals, please refer to the end of this release.

Southshore, developed by Village Homes and John Laing Homes, is the first Colorado community to win this coveted designation. Located near E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, the community celebrated its new status with a public ceremony attended by Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer, members of the Aurora City Council, Roger Reinhardt, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver (HBA), developers, builders, architects and landscape architects and others associated in the development of the community.

Susan Peterson, general manager of Laing/Village, LLC, the developer of Southshore said, “We’re all still on Cloud Nine. This is such an honor to be recognized by our peers in the homebuilding industry. Southshore began with a great idea in 1999 by forward-thinking people at John Laing Homes and Village Homes. Its ultimate creation has been a professional and thoughtful collaboration by many individuals and organizations. For us to be recognized as the National Community of the Year brings us full circle from the community’s initial vision. We especially appreciate the City of Aurora’s partnership and support in our development. I think if you talk with any of our residents, you’ll appreciate why they love living at Southshore.”

The HBA recently recognized Southshore as the “2007 Community of the Year,” and Southshore was the official host for the 2007 Parade of Homes, which attracted more than 93,000 visitors to the community last summer.

About Southshore
Southshore features five water-inspired districts with a variety of home options built by award-winning builders Village Homes and John Laing Homes. Village homes at Southshore range in size from approximately 1,700 to 3,800 square feet and are base-priced from below $300,000. Custom home opportunities are also available. Final build out for the community is expected in 2015.

Southshore is located in the Cherry Creek School District and sits adjacent to the new Cherokee Trail High School and Fox Ridge Middle School, while two proposed elementary schools are planned for the community. Southshore also is close to Southlands retail center and minutes from Denver International Airport, the Denver Tech Center, Park Meadows Shopping Center and downtown Denver.

Southshore’s 11,000-square-foot Lakehouse serves as the community’s social and recreational center. It features a wrap-around veranda with lake views, a community meeting room, gym and fitness studio, library and theater with stadium seating. Outside, the Lakehouse has Colorado’s first saltwater infinity pool with views of the Reservoir.

Within the community is the four-acre Senac Lake created for boating, fishing and waterside demonstrations and activities. The lake also was designed with environmental responsibility in mind. It collects and cleans rain water and irrigation runoff which is recycled for community irrigation, waterways and landscaping. Other amenities include miles of hiking and biking trails and over 96 acres of open space, wetlands, greenbelts, parks and picnic areas that residents can explore.

For more information, please visit Southshore's Community Page on villagehomes.com

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National Awards won by Southshore at The Nationals
• Masterplanned Community of the Year
• Best Direct Mail

Regional Awards won by Southshore at The Nationals
• Best Graphic Continuity
• Best Direct Mail
• Best Color Ad for a Masterplanned Community
• Best Landscape Design for a Masterplanned Community (Nuszer Kopatz Urban Design Associates, Denver)