Identical twins, they’re not.

Which is a good thing, because million dollar houses shouldn’t be made from a cookie cutter. And, indeed, these two luxury homes by Shane Homes, the first and second prizes in this year’s Kinsmen Children’s Hospital Home lotto, couldn’t be more different. One in the north, one in the south. Both valued at over $1 million.

In the south, with a price point of more than $1,159,000, the two-storey Nuvo is officially this year’s grand prize. This modern-design dream-home, located at 101 Walden Rise SE, features 3,169 square-feet of living space (plus 993 square-feet in the developed basement), three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths. A towering foyer greets you upon entry, emphasizing the openness of the design and flow, with an open rise staircase and a decorative slat wall shared with a formal dining room. Opposite the dining room is a private study with dual pocket doors and a private partially covered deck. The living room is open to the kitchen and features a unique built-in entertainment centre with a spectacular fireplace. An absolutely gorgeous kitchen is highlighted by a massive central island, expansive cabinets and corner pantry. The nook, which features 10-foot ceilings, opens up on either side through three-panel sliding glass doors to a partially covered rear deck which wraps around the back of the home offering tremendous views of the surrounding green spaces. The open to below staircase provides a feeling of grandeur while leading into the second floor family room which serves as a versatile entertaining/living space designed to suit any lifestyle, as evident by the conveniently located dual IT centre, wet-bar and private, semi-enclosed balcony off the side of the room. The second and third bedrooms sit adjacent to the main bath and deluxe laundry room. The owner’s suite features a large walk-in closet and luxurious four-piece ensuite with oversized shower, corner soaker tub flanked by windows, make-up area, dual vanities and private water closet. A large retreat leads to a private rear balcony accessible exclusively through the owner’s suite. The developed walk-out basement is sure to be an entertainer’s dream, offering 993 square-feet of recreational space with 10-foot ceilings, as well as a full bath and wet-bar with a raised eating bar. The walk-out entrance leads to a covered concrete patio which opens to the back yard and the unique outdoor living patio which includes a stone-faced gas fireplace with perimeter seating and a partially covered outdoor kitchen with built-in barbeque, functional sink, and mini-fridge.

About an hour north, in Panorama, at 7 Panatella Gate NW, the 2nd grand prize home, the Cambrian II, is Valued at $1,105,244. At a roomy 3,255 square-feet, this two-storey, three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home offers generously sized living spaces both inside and out. The grand entrance to this home is through a large gated courtyard with in-floor slab heating and a gas fireplace. A welcoming gathering room with wet-bar and private bathroom is accessible from the courtyard and offers an exclusive living area, ideal for entertaining, which connects with the main structure of the home through a private hallway. A grand foyer opening to a circular spindle staircase and large lifestyle room with 12-foot ceilings and decorative beams greets you upon entering. The great room is open to the kitchen and is warmed by an entertainment centre with a gas fireplace and TV. Highlighted by double islands, which offer plenty of counter space for the resident chef or avid entertainer, the kitchen is a focal point of the home, with plenty of storage provided by the oversized walk-through pantry. A formal dining room with an arched entry, plenty of windows providing natural light, and access to the backyard and patio completes the main floor. The elegant second floor features a unique library/gallery, an expansive built-in IT centre, a deluxe laundry room and a room kids will enjoy — a dedicated kid’s entertainment room with vaulted ceilings and bay window, ideal for use as a video game room or lounge area. The second and third bedrooms conveniently flank the main bath. The spacious owner’s suite features a large walk-in closet with built-ins, and luxurious ensuite boasting a drop-in tub, private water closet, make-up desk, built-in armoire, dual vanities, skylights, and a large corner shower.

Show homes open Monday-Friday 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays 12-5 p.m.

The Kinsmen Children’s Hospital Home Lotto has provided more than $22 million in funding over the past two decades. Funds from this year’s lotto will help finance the purchase of a Next Generation DNA Short Sequencer, state-of-the-art technology for the study of genetic diseases.

Tickets are one for $50, three for $100, or ten for $25. A total of 212,250 tickets are offered for sale, with more than 1,896 prizes valued at more than $3,231,000. Early bird cutoff is June 13, with the early bird draw for $100,000 cash on June 24. Final ticket sales cutoff is July 4, with draw for all the remaining prizes on July 16 and 17.