Allstate Insurance Company of Canada (Allstate Canada) has named Shabbar Zaidi of The Hemingway Condos in Toronto as the 2013 GTA Condo Hero. Nominated by condo owner Olive Ellis, Shabbar, a concierge at the Hemingway, is seen as a "constant source of support and security" for residents of the tower.

- Allstate Insurance Company of Canada (Allstate Canada) has named Shabbar Zaidi of The Hemingway Condos in Toronto as the 2013 GTA Condo Hero. Nominated by condo owner Olive Ellis, Shabbar, a concierge at the Hemingway, is seen as a "constant source of support and security" for residents of the tower.


"One of the biggest challenges within condominiums is creating unity amongst the residents. Shabbar was selected by the judges as Condo Hero winner because he promotes a healthy, friendly community at The Hemingway and even encourages social responsibility through his participation in food and toy drives," says Saskia Matheson, spokesperson for Allstate Canada.

Shabbar is seen as a concierge who is concerned with everyone's well-being. In writing her nomination, Ellis told Condo Hero judges that not only does Shabbar know residents of The Hemingway by first name, he also knows the names of visiting family members. He embodies the true sense of community and goes the extra mile by watching out for seniors who live alone, delivering the newspaper daily to a disabled resident and clearing the snow on the sidewalk before the snow removal company has a chance.

In recognition of the excellent service that he provides as a condo concierge, Shabbar Zaidi and his nominator Olive Ellis will be awarded a $2,500 cash prize each from Allstate Canada.


A recent survey conducted by Allstate Canada and Abacus Data found that there is a widespread lack of understanding among condo owners about who pays when an incident does occur -- 61 per cent of respondents, for example, didn't know or incorrectly assumed their building's insurance would cover damage to another unit from a flood or fire that originated in their unit. Allstate Canada created the Condo Hero Contest to recognize great service provided by property managers, caretakers, security guards and condo concierges in the GTA. Condo owners don't just rely on their condo insurance to protect their home and belongings; a concierge is often the person that many condo owners turn to when their units or property are damaged.

Judges for the Condo Hero contest included Brad Lamb, President of Brad J. Lamb Realty Inc. and Lamb Development Corp.; Linda Pinizzotto, Founder and President of the Condo Owners Association Ontario and a Realtor Sutton Group Canada; and John O'Donnell, President and CEO of Allstate Canada.