As we enter the dog days for summer, we're excited to share the latest from KEPHART! We're thrilled to announce that KEPHART has been recognized with three prestigious 2025 Gold Nugget Awards, including a Grand Award for the Best Rehabilitation Project. This month, our project update spotlights Paragon, a 305-home community bringing elevated apartment living to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Our featured blog dives into pet-friendly community design—exploring why thoughtful amenities for furry residents create lasting value and resident loyalty. We're also celebrating July anniversaries for five amazing team members, including our President Bryce Hall's incredible 17-year milestone! Also, don't forget to take a look at where we'll be this summer — we'd love to connect!

In The News:

KEPHART Wins Big at the 2025 Gold Nugget Awards!

We’re incredibly honored to be recognized once again by the Gold Nugget Awards—one of the most prestigious programs in residential design. Presented by CBIA and PCBC, the awards spotlight projects that push the boundaries of architecture, planning, and development to create more thoughtful, livable communities. For over 60 years, they’ve celebrated innovation and excellence across the industry. This year, we’re proud to have three new awards added to our legacy—recognition that speaks to the talent, creativity, and dedication of our team and partners.

See our blog to learn more about these exciting projects.

Grand Award Winner

Best Rehabilitation Project

Project: Tom’s Starlight/Champagne Tiger
Denver, CO
Developer: GBX Group & Denver Land Co.

Award of Merit Winner

Best Build-for-Rent Community Plan

Project: Riverside
Mount Holly, NC
Developer: Long Key Development

Award of Merit Winner

Best Build-for-Rent Product Design

Project: Riverside
Mount Holly, NC
Developer: Long Key Development

Project Update: Paragon Brings Elevated Living to Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Just off I-94 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Paragon is bringing elevated apartment living to the Chippewa Valley. Developed by locally rooted Key Hole Capital and designed by KEPHART, this 305-home community is part of the city’s broader master-planned vision.

Composed of five, four-story buildings and anchored by one of Eau Claire’s first detached clubhouses, Paragon offers a mix of studios to three-bedroom homes. Resort-style amenities like a pool with private cabanas, fitness center, saunas, and flexible gathering spaces add to its appeal.

With construction progressing and the first building underway, Paragon is already shaping a new standard for housing in the region.

Read the full story behind Paragon and its lasting impact on Eau Claire’s future.

FEATURED BLOG

Pet-Friendly Communities: Why They Matter and How to Get Them Right

In today’s competitive multifamily market, creating communities that truly reflect how people live means designing with pets in mind. With over two-thirds of U.S. households owning a pet, thoughtful pet-friendly design is more than a trend—it’s a smart investment that fosters resident loyalty, reduces turnover, and adds value.

At KEPHART, we believe that great pet-friendly communities go beyond basic amenities. From elevated dog parks and well-placed pet spas to in-home features like resilient flooring, fenced yards, and built-in dog doors, we design every detail with connection, comfort, and daily convenience in mind.

Explore how thoughtful pet-friendly design can add value to your next community.

Where We Will Be

Check out the conferences we'll be attending!

Adam Kantor, Doug Van Lerberghe, and Jocelyn Smith will be attending the 2025 Arizona Housing Forum in Tucson, August 13–15.

Bobby Long and Bryce Hall will attending the CREJ Fall Multifamily Development & Investment Conference in Denver, August 19.

Docomomo 2025 Modernism Series

Tickets are now on sale for Docomomoco's major annual fundraiser! This year's theme showcases several innovative multifamily projects and affordable single-family communities. Josh Robinson, Senior Project Designer at KEPHART and President of Docomomo, will be spearheading several events.

Multiple events are planned for the next two weekends, starting this weekend and running through August 16th.

Learn More

July Anniversaries!

This month we celebrate five incredible team members ... including our President Bryce Hall! They all embody KEPHART's culture of inclusion, growth, and improvement:

Bryce Hall – 17 years
Noelle Van Lerberghe – 3 years
Ed Mitchell – 3 years
Holly Hammontree – 3 years
Jake Dudley – 3 years

Thank you for your continued contributions to our mission and the communities we serve. Here's to many more years of growth and success together!

Meet Our Team

KEPHART.com