Top Pomorye Developers Named: People's Choice
Ordinary residents of the region determined the top ten.
Residents of Pomorye chose the «golden hundred» companies they trust the most. In late January, the semi-final of the People«s Award 29.RU took place. The shortlist included 10 nominations, among them »Developer of the Year«. In this category, any project instantly becomes public property, which is why public voting is especially telling here.
The hall gathered companies trusted by Pomor residents.
The top ten developers were formed from the companies most frequently nominated by the Pomor residents themselves. Among them was the Akvilon Group. Why did this company earn a place among the finalists, how does the developer explain the value of the «people»s« nomination, and why is this a case where »people«s choice» is confirmed not by words but by deeds? While voting continues and everyone awaits the final outcome, we discussed the award together with Akvilon Group.
The Deputy General Director for Public Relations of Akvilon Group noted that this award is especially indicative for developers.
One of the most unusual and complex projects of Akvilon Group is a cluster on the site of an ancient building.
Why is the «People»s« nomination important for a developer?
The award ceremony for the finalists took place at the government of the Arkhangelsk Region. The atmosphere was a rare format for official halls: full of emotions, humor, and warm words. Yet behind the smiles, competition was palpable: the finale is ahead, and the battle for leadership promises to be intense.
Akvilon Group emphasizes that in construction, trust begins long before the keys are handed over — and that is precisely why such a nomination is perceived especially acutely.
— Actually, the very idea of the People«s Award is, of course, wonderful, — believes Georgy Gudim-Levkovich, Deputy General Director for Public Relations of Akvilon Group. — And when it comes to construction, it is probably one of the most people-oriented business sectors. Because our co-investors and co-founders are the residents of our houses. They finance this construction under shared-equity legislation. From the very beginning, buying apartments at the foundation pit stage, they already trust the developer. And our task is to make this choice interesting, pleasant, and truly important for life.
Of course, it«s also important that we are not just building residential houses — we are building a city, creating an environment: everything people need for life. We are essentially building a new life for them, — adds Georgy Gudim-Levkovich. — And it is probably great that the People»s Award in Arkhangelsk is taking place during the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. It has come here: before this, it was certainly in million-plus cities (except Chita, whose population is roughly comparable to Arkhangelsk). But this is the northernmost point of the People«s Award in Russia. I think Arkhangelsk will show that there are many diverse businesses here. And that means our city is developing, living — and there are many people working for people.
How did they earn a place among the finalists?
Akvilon Group did not end up among the best by chance. The company has been operating since 2003; its portfolio includes over 200 built facilities with a total area of more than 2 million square meters. The developer has expanded beyond Pomorye and also builds in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, and Ivanovo, and the Russian Ministry of Construction classifies the company as a systemically important enterprise.
At the same time, scale is important to residents not in itself, but as an indicator of experience and stability. According to ERZ.RF, the company maintains first place in the regional top in terms of housing commissioning volume and consumer qualities, and the developer also has notable wins in specialized competitions.
A separate line important for Pomorye is the approach not only to the house but also to the improvement of courtyards and streets. Akvilon Group is one of the pioneers of integrated territorial development in the region. For several years now, instead of outdated neighborhoods, they have been creating a new standard of living with all necessary social infrastructure. There are already projects where modern houses, schools, kindergartens, and parks appear on the site of dilapidated wooden buildings.
At the same time, the company emphasizes that landscaping is not a «picture for delivery» but a long-term scenario. For example, in one project on the embankment of the Northern Dvina River, the developer not only planted a couple of trees but also preserved some of the old ones and supplemented the landscape so that the place did not lose its character.
What«s next?
Voting in the People«s Award continues, and it is right now that the winner in each category is being decided. The best developer will be announced on February 26, but you can influence the outcome today: if you care about housing quality, district development, and clear rules of the game in the market, you can support your favorite on the award website: 29.ru/award/votes.
