By Sarah Ravits
Spotlight on the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway
The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO) Parade of Homes is a highlight of the organization’s efforts to educate and inform residents (and potential residents) of Greater New Orleans. The event showcases recent developments and innovations made in real estate and other topics pertaining to the homebuilding industry. Each year, attendees are be able to step inside newly built, energy-efficient homes featuring the latest design trends.
One of the standouts of the Parade of Homes is the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway, a program that is currently in 35 markets across the country. Each year, it raises over $30 million benefitting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Memphis-based research hospital that never charges its patients — who are children — for treatment, travel, housing or food. St. Jude will be selling 15,000 tickets for $100 apiece.
In New Orleans, the St. Jude Dream Home® is a modern, residential Lakeview structure built by local firm Hyman L. Bartolo, Jr. Contractors. It will be available for purchase through raffle tickets.
“We want to build a St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway house where residents in the local communities desire to live,” said Katie Grace Owens, a regional development representative for ALSAC/St. Jude, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “My favorite aspect of working with our St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway in New Orleans is the impact we are having on the children.” Additionally, she said the neighborhood is an ideal place for families.
“Lakeview continues to be one of the places that entices our donors and helps us sell an increasing amount of tickets each year.”
The lucky winner of the raffle will get to experience life in a spacious and comfortable family-friendly home with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.
Situated on a corner lot, the home is airy with large windows and includes luxurious features — including a contemporary coffee bar.
Owens said that St. Jude has worked with the HBA for many years now and it has been a “wonderful partnership. We have loved working with the HBA and are thankful for all they do for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
Construction for the home began in January, and the St. Jude Dream® Home will be completed in May prior to its Grand Opening for Open Houses on May 19 through June 17.
“[The Dream Home] is a labor of love,” said Gerald Mire, a contractor who oversees the interiors and general design of the home.
Mire, who works at Hyman L. Bartolo, Jr. Contractors, said it’s the company’s fourth “Dream Home” in conjunction with the HBA and the famed hospital.
He started working on the concept for the home in July of 2017. He and his colleagues worked alongside architect James Chauvin on the development.
Mire says he is exceptionally proud the master bathroom “wet area” which features a freestanding tub surrounded by glass. The home also features a spacious dining room with vaulted ceilings, a kids’ “game loft” on the second story, and a freestanding staircase. Mire says it has an overall “beachy” feel with natural light and other modern amenities, such as minimalist floating cabinets.
“Nothing is over the top; it’s simple and almost has a farmhouse feel to it,” he said.
Outdoor features include a front porch, a side yard and a comfortable courtyard space in the back.
The St. Jude Dream Home® was built by other HBAGNO members in the past, including Miller Building Co., Inc. and Willow, Inc.
Tickets go on sale for the 2018 St. Jude Dream Home® in March and will be available at the New Orleans Home & Garden Show as well as online at www.stjude.org/dreamhome. The St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway show will be on FOX8 on Sunday, June 24, 2018.
