Robert Thomas Homes Wins BIG at the Building Industry Gala

We are proud to have been honored with four awards at Housing First Minnesota’s fall 2026 Building Industry Gala (BIG) Night, a reflection of our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and outstanding client experience. 

2026 was an exceptional year for Robert Thomas Homes—one that brought beautiful homes to life in new and growing communities, forged meaningful relationships with new customers and partners, and introduced an exciting new home collection to the Twin Cities metro.

It was a year worth celebrating, and on Oct. 30, our team did just that at Housing First Minnesota’s Fall 2026 BIG Night. Dressed to the nines, we joined fellow industry professionals for an evening recognizing excellence across the homebuilding industry—and returned home with four BIG awards of our own.

Robert Thomas Homes was honored with the following recognitions:

These awards represent much more than professional achievement; they reflect our team’s commitment to hard work, exceptional customer service and thoughtful craftsmanship in every home we build.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these award winners, and how they exemplify the high standard of excellence Robert Thomas Homes strives to uphold, year after year.

The Savannah A our Tradition Collection took home a Reggie Award in the price category of $1.2 million up to $1.5 million. Located in the beautiful Watercrest of Hugo community, this 5-bedroom home is set apart by its striking attention to detail, from its high-contrast Modern Tudor-inspired exterior to its rich wood flooring, statement brass lighting, and refined custom millwork. The main level’s dramatic curved wood staircase serves as a defining architectural feature of the home, offering sculptural design, visual intrigue and a beautiful transition from gathering spaces to private retreats.

The Virginia Patio B model from our Classic Collection took home the Reggie for $600,000 up to $700,00, exemplifying how thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship can elevate every price point.

Located in the North Star community of Lake Elmo, this four-bedroom home makes a statement through its striking balance of light and dark design elements, beautifully showcased in the exterior’s pairing of weathered walnut and desert stone LP SmartSide siding. That story continues into the open-concept main level, where the eye is immediately drawn to a modern electric fireplace framed by floor-to-ceiling natural wood tile and a sleek black raised hearth. A consistent balance of black accents, brass metals, and cozy warm woods make each room feel at once inviting yet distinct, exemplifying the home’s careful balance of luxury and livability.

We are incredibly proud of our New Home Consultant, Dave Steger, for taking home the Sales Professional of the Year Award. Voted for by Housing First Minnesota, the award recognizes Dave’s standard of excellence across performance, customer service, problem-solving, leadership, and community engagement.

We are honored to work alongside professionals like Dave, who consistently raise the bar, lead by example and embody Robert Thomas Homes’ values both inside and outside the workplace. Congratulations, Dave!

Our Senior Interior Designer, Michelle Olson, earned the award for Excellence in Interior Design, a recognition that speaks to the thoughtful details, elevated finishes and personalized approach to design that set Robert Thomas Homes apart.

Michelle brings a unique perspective to every home she touches, working closely with clients to understand their vision and bring it to life through thoughtful, tailored design. Her creativity, industry expertise and deep understanding of design principles make her an invaluable part of the homebuilding experience and the Robert Thomas Homes team. Michelle truly embodies the standard of excellence this award represents.

Congratulations, Michelle!

At Robert Thomas Homes, every decision we make, every plan we draft and every project we bring to life comes down to one thing: our homeowners.

These awards mean little without the people who fill our homes with family, laughter and joy, transforming beautiful architectural achievements into places where real stories unfold.

Here’s to another year of building beautiful homes, cultivating meaningful relationships and creating places where life’s best moments happen. Thank you for being part of it!

If you’re considering a new chapter of homeownership, connect with our New Home Specialist, Kayla Ekholm, to explore our thoughtfully designed floor plans and beautiful communities throughout the Twin Cities metro.

The same care, creativity and commitment to excellence recognized in our award-winning homes goes into every home we build. Because beyond the architecture and finishes, our greatest priority is helping you feel at home, wherever you choose to put down roots.