Meet the Winner of HGTV Urban Oasis 2010
Congratulations to our winner! If you live on the West Coast and don’t want us to spoil the surprise, please do not click the link below.
University of Central Florida student Adam Venckauskas is the lucky winner of the HGTV Urban Oasis 2010 Giveaway, which includes a new, luxury residence located in The Residences at W New York-Downtown and a brand-new Acura ZDX.
Adam was shocked, to say the least, when interior designer Vern Yip appeared on his doorstep on November 20. The first person he called? His mom, who asked Vern to give her son a hug. Adam was studying for a geo-technical engineering exam (talk about a smart guy!) when Vern arrived and actually planned to go to class after being awarded the prize.
Adam, a Boca Raton native, is a fan of HGTV’s Holmes on Homes and admits to only entering the giveaway once, at the urging of his mother, who entered the HGTV Urban Oasis 2010 Giveaway every day. Proof positive that dreams do come true!
Let’s wish him well and start thinking about the future: Where will Urban Oasis 2011 be?
Congrats to the winner, this will go along way in helping with his future
congrats Adam, you deserved it.
Wow that’s tight dreams do come true I’m happy for him ..
Wow! 1 entry?!?! Ugh! I entered on my work and home emails every day on both websites AND sent in 100 postcards….will change my strategy for the Dream Home!! Congrats Adam! P.S. My sister is cute and single! haha!
congrats on your new home in New York.you deserved the new home you won.
Seattle sounds good, very romatic city, I like that.:D
Congratulations Adam.
Congratulations to UCF student Adam Venckauskas on his very lucky Urban Oasis win.
Does this mean I should be changing my strategy to one entry per sweepstakes rather than daily entries? Imagine the odds of winning — amazing!
Oh well, when the going gets rough, the tough go shopping — in Thailand. Maybe next time will be my Urban Oasis lucky win. Did you say Hawaii, Cami? If you've had confirmation from Jack T about next year's location, don't hold back the information from your blogging buddies!
Then again, maybe I'm meant to spend vacations in Stowe, Vt in the near future. After all, the 2011 Dream Home would be a very welcome prize as well.
Coop, don't change your winning strategy… Just stop losing!! ; )
My winning strategy is "THE MORE THE MERRIER" !!!! How much fun would I have if I only put in one entry?? I love entering to WIN every single day (If I don't forget to). Besides why would I pin all my hopes to one sweeps or one future economic plan. It makes perfect sense to me to enter as many times as the rules allow.
Unless, your "winning" strategy is to get the word out that the only way a person can win is to put in one entry..Hmmmm, I see that increasing OUR chances.. Yes, very wise… Sorry I mentioned it. ; )
I suppose we could say the more losers the merrier! Oh well, the upside is that we get to enjoy the blogs. That more than makes up for not winning the sweepstakes time and time again, doesn't it?
After all, we get to have fun each and every day, or at least as often as we wish, with no great financial decisions to make!
In any event, I enjoyed reading the comments. All very interesting, and often entertaining.
Now, back to enjoying tropical breezes and ocean views…..
Oh well, lost this one. The great thing is there's always another contest on the horizon. Vermont, Virginia, Colorado, so many opportunities, on to the next adventure for us losers.
After all, as Adam proved all it takes is one entry, even if the odds are millions to one, someone has to be the one lucky entrant. It could be one of us next time, or the next, or the next, or maybe not at all, but it's still fun dreaming.
And another one bites the dust…and another one…and another one…another one bites the dust.
Okay, transfer those winning thoughts on to the Dream Home in Vermont!
Sawasdee Krup!
congratulations. i hope the apartment serves you well.
im not gonna lie though. i still wish it had been me. i mean i entered twice every day from the moment the contest began to the moment it ended! you didnt even care enough to enter twice. why should you win instead of anyone else? someone who really, really wanted it?
I "TOTALLY agree- only I wish it had been me
I am very dissappointed that it appears that someone who didn't really want it , won. I'm still not sure how all those electronic entries are added to the mail entries.
It is so exciting to think of the odds of being THE ONE out of 15 million+ entries — congratulations, Adam ! This will be a great start for your future, and I bet your mother is thrilled also !
( Please overlook some of the 'sour grapes' comments you will be seeing on the blog, by the way.)
best of luck to you in future……….
Did Vernon attempt to make sure Adam would be at home when he arrived? What time of day did Vernon schedule the surprise visit? Was Adam warned ahead of time? It would seem wise to telephone him first to make sure he was home. If he was not home, what would have happened?
Congratulations Adam and good luck!
Congrats Adam! You're the perfect person for this apartment. It was listed in the cosmos. It's just the right size, location and furnishings for someone young and single. Even if you have a partner, there's still enough room for 2, but not much more. You are young enough and able bodied enough to enjoy all the outside perks and parks in the area. I truly hope you enjoy your new apartment. You're definitely a very lucky guy. I mean one entry, c'mon. I must have entered a 100 times at least. It was simply meant to be. Enjoy! Don't know where you can park a car in the city, but hey, you're young and smart. You'll figure it out. Go for it.
Congratulations, Adam! Aren't you glad you listened to your mom and entered? LOL! Whether you keep the apartment or not, this is a wonderful prize for you — I hope you get to spend at least some time there!
You're right C+E! I didn't think about the perfect lesson that was taught here. Listen to your mom, she's always right!! I'm gonna tell my kids about this very obedient son, and what wonderful thing happened because he listened to his mother. Now, how to get that idea to carry over to the task of household chores???
This is a triumphant win for Mothers everywhere!!
Congratulations Adam! Wishing you the best.
Adam, you are off to a good start with a civil engineering degree in the near future and the HGTV
Urban Oasis prize! Congratulations! I'm still amazed the day after that your one entry won Vern's
luxury apartment in NYC. I'm sure you are excited about the prospects of this big win. Enjoy!
It was an exciting evening to see someone so young win. I just wish sometime that the winner could be selected from west of the Rockies. What's up with that? Adam, enjoy your new riches!
I'm a Westie too, so I hear what you're saying… I'm thinking that luck and chance must blow in a West to East direction… So I guess we'll just have to blame Mother Nature, not only for the weather but for all the Westies not having a winner among them, with exception of course to Kathy Nakao in 2004. I'm seriously thinking of moving to Florida… Lots of winners come from there. Sheesh, they already have the fountain of youth, and now we find out they have all the luck and chance too. LOL Maybe I can just order some Florida water.
Hopefully it's cyclical Cami, and the next 20 winners will be from the Best Coast! ^_^
I'm afraid It'll come by way of a tornado Ed. LOL.. I hope that lucky tornado happens to sweep me up by chance. ; )
20! Aren't we being just a tad greedy? Hey, aren't you bi-coastal Ed? Guess that means you like the West the best, and the heck with the rest!
:):)
I have definitely learned to like the West Coast best Anne. I can't handle the humidity on the other coasts anymore. If I had won the urban oasis, I definitely would have used the cash option on the West Coast!
Adam I am still in awe 1 entry won you the Urban Oasis sweepstakes . You deserve it, that was GOD's plan for you to win. We all enter everyday and you entered only once. Hmmm…that's really big. I am happy for you, you deserve it. If you took the buyout be responsible and let mom help you because that's alot of money. Congratulations.
may need to pay off school loans.
joplays, your right pay off his school loans and any credit cards and start with a clean slate.
Congratulations, Adam – your Urban Oasis is beautiful. Enjoy it and enjoy life and all happiness to you. I really enjoyed the whole Urban Oasis Sweepstakes. I know that every entry was made with a wish and all of us have had a wonderful time with our dreams about living in that beautiful apartment – and how we'd spend our time and days there. So we're all winners! Thank you, HGTV.
Nicely said Katie!!
I hope he did well on his exam after being overwhelmed by his great fortune of winning this beautiful OASIS. . . congrats.
I can't imagine being told something that fantastic, and then clearing my mind so I can take, what sounds like a very hard test. I hope he did well too.
If not, it's one of the best excuses I've ever heard of.
What a terrific start for a senior graduating in the spring. Congratulations! And congratulations to Adam's mom who must be full of pride this morning knowing that because she talked him into it, her son will have this wonderful opportunity. I suspect he will have to sell the condo or take the money; if that is true I hope that Adam will have some time to enjoy New York and his condo (and that view!!) first.
I have two words COLLEGE STUDENT. Unless this young man was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he's gonna take the cash option which after taxes amounts to about $400,000 probably even less. The kid has student loans he's gonna have to pay those back unless he's there on scholarship or his parents opened a college fund for him to go to school. I thought for the most part he was gonna get a check for $500,000 in addition to the condo and car but i guess that was wishful thinking on my part. That would have allowed him some leg room.
Actually the cash option is $850,000. Florida has no income tax. So after Federal Income Taxes, he should have over $600,000!
Yissirreeee EdinOregon. What great choices Adam will have, thanks for reminding the group!!
After readin Peter_NYC comments I hope he takes the cash. The prospects for the W don't sound too encouraging!
However things turn out, I think Adam will get the right guidance, he certainly wont be one of the characters in the best seller "Broke by Glenn Beck. Recently, I read that for kids in their twenties who are working, inherited money, are good savers-they are the new forty, and are going to help to buff up this economy.
Hi Cami They deleted the entire CORAN SHOP thread—-someone was a little too excited to post the announcement thead, I'm guessing, I've never seen them do that before.
HONOLULU IS the perfect choice for the next UO!!!!!!!!
a dreamin' on we go……..
the reason as to why i thought he was going to get a check in addition to the condo is because past winners always received one, but he didn't. Also the New York Post stated back in august the transfer tax would be payed, but i didn't hear Vern Yip say that once which means he's on the hook for the taxes, when he said he entered once, i knew immediately someone had to tell him about the contest or he just came across it. if he comes from an affluent family they'll probably pay the transfer tax for him but i doubt that as well seeming as though the college he goes to is not a ivy league own it's a community because my sister's boyfriend applied there last year.
it is not a community college it is an accredited 4 year university.
There were quite a few years where there was no cash prize portion as part of the dream or green home giveaways.
Just because Vern Yip didn't mention the transfer taxes, it doesn't mean that "he's on the hook" for them. You are reading a lot into his situation, and maybe you should just let it go and be happy for Adam. He seems like a great guy.
I think you misunderstood me, make no mistake, were all happy for him, but in the long run it makes more since for him to cash out rather than steep his self in debt, and i had the pleasure of speaking with a nice young lady whom works as an intern for the scripts network here in New York, And as i was told he is on the hook for the taxes which is about $500,000, but he can easily take out a loan and pay it back over time. It's still counter intuitive none the less because you don't want to start your life out in debt.
Oh, I did misunderstand, ravojovar, and I'm so sorry. When you talked about transfer taxes, that's where I got confused. He would have to pay income taxes for the prize or for the cash-out option, from what I understand. I think he should take the cash, too, especially since someone posted that the W is a little bit shaky financially right now, so it would be tough to sell.
He doesn't have to go to an Ivy college to succeed. In today's market everyone is having a rough time no matter what schools they've attended. I hope his family IS able to afford to help him with the transfer taxes. It is a nice start to his life and I hope he enjoys every minute of it. You are just sounding like sour grapes.
Mary Meade i am truly a positive person and i think you misunderstood me, what i was trying to convey was, is that, if he solely has to be responsible for the condo in regards to the taxes then bless his soul because although it's a great start to his life, no one wants to start their life out in debt. I'm sure if you had a child you wouldn't want your child to start his life out that way either. Hopefully he does have parents whom are able to help him, otherwise he'll have to take a loan out and pay it over time which is still not a bad option but not a great one considering the beautiful properties here in New York that he could be paying that expense out to, it's not about having sour grapes by no means. When you study the real estate market and the legalities behind it, you have a better understanding. And he's in college right now so i'm almost positive he's spoken with a lawyer regarding these issues which are far too deep to get into here
I do know the real estate market and what is involved. Actually I know the laws for 14 states for getting deeds and mortgages recorded. It sounded like you were putting down the school he was attending. He does have a Mom and hopefully she or other relatives can help him make the proper decisions. Real estate in NYC is valuable depending on the area. I actually hope he sells it back to them and uses the money for his education and whatever other needs he has.
I wasn't putting down his school, but since where on the subject, A college is as good as the professors who teach there, granted he's getting a good education that's all that matters. Aside from that, REAL ESTATE WISE I may not know the market around the country but i definitely know the market in my own back yard and right now Mary, although real estate is making a comeback here in New York, it's still not exactly where it should be and that said The W Residence is on thin ice Financially, so it made good sense on their part to partner with HGTV for much needed publicity. As to whether or not this does them any good remains to be seen. And FYI i have it on good authority from someone at scripts network that this is the first property that they did not have to invest much interest in financially. Those in the Real Estate circles find out a hell of lot !!!!!!!!! So when you come, please come correct as we say here in NY. Have A Nice Day.
The angel on my right shoulder is saying "Adam congratulations im so happy that you won and i didn't " and the devil on my left shoulder is saying "Whhhhyyyyy??? Whhhhhhhhyyyyy?? Couldn't i have won???? I entered soooooo many *%#$@! times!!!!!!". In all reality, congratulations, i'll just have to step up my game on the next urban oasis….
It’s a little too coincidental that the winner happens to be a single male who lives on his own. It’s like the Urban Oasis condo was meant for someone who is a single male. I’m really starting to think that this “sweepstakes” is not drawn at random, but rather that HGTV execs pick who they want to pick.
Awesome! Mother knows best!
Adam, congratulations!
http://today.ucf.edu/ucf-student-wins-1-5m-prize-…
This explains my sensing that HGTV was in the area…
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/…
Remember, it only takes one time, and… always listen to your Mother!
Peace!
What a memorable Thanksgiving.
Interesting caption beneath the orlando sentinel link photo it says "HGTV designer Vern Yip shows up at Adam Venckauskas' apartment to tell him that he is the winner of the HGTV Urban Oasis giveaway in Oviedo, Florida, Monday, November 8, 2010. (Phelan M. Ebenhack, Getty Images for HGTV / November 8, 2010)"
Hmmm gee. He is single (for that small apt) and lives on the east coast (someone on west coast would most likely take the money) and ONE entry. Come on really! I was going to blog last week that it would be someone single and living on the east coast. Wish I had now. Rigged.
there's a good chance it may have been, but you know what hopefully this contest has taught us a lot about ourselves, one thing is for certain, i won't be entering again
If you don't enter again, it's not going to hurt anybody else. Every time somebody wins, there are several who shout that this is rigged for a variety of reasons. Look at the odds. Only ONE person can win. Move on, please.
Wyo_Girl, what i think you misunderstood and have to understand is that where not upset about this young man winning, not at all by any means, because things happen for a reason, there's a reason why this young man won and not us. Our bitter grape came the moment he stated he entered once NOT TWICE BUT ONCE, there are people here on this blog whom not only entered online but also did mail in entries, (ONE WOMAN MAILED 40 ENTRIES A DAY) i could not have taken it that far, but that just goes to show you how passionate we were, and hopefully this teaches us something about ourselves. In life there are lessons to be learned and sometimes we have to learn them through others. So allow us to be hurt for a moment then come back to reality, LOL THANKYOU…………
Because that would have proven that it was "rigged"? There really isn't a conspiracy here.
Given the amount of entries compared to the annual dream home giveaway, (15 million to 40 million) I'd presume lots of folks excluded themselves from entering the urban oasis sweepstakes when they found out it was a small one bedroom unit. Being on the other side of the country would be another reason to lose interest and not enter. Many entering these sweeps are only thinking of the dream of moving in, and are not looking at the official rules or about any other options. Condos are known as difficult to resell at a good price, because in a given development there usually isn't much that makes one unit more appealing to a buyer than another.
Hope he is close to graduating this could mess up his financial aid!
I know 4 year universities can be expensive, but what better investment can he make, than to pay for his own education. ; ) Maybe he'll decide to go for his Masters.
LET'S PRAY HE'S ON A SCHOLARSHIP BECAUSE YES IT WILL MESS HIS FINANCIAL AID UP TOTALLY, I KNOW BECAUSE WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL I HIT THE LOTTO FOR $10,000 AND I MAY AS WELL HAD GIVEN IT AWAY
This is the perfect apartment for a young person, and that was a young person-type car too! He seems like a good match for the apartment, although those cold winters may take some adjusting to, youth will help with that also.
Congratulations, nice to see the wealth spread around to young and old. I enjoyed the special with Vern, and Adam sure looked surprised, and happy.
What are the chances? Adam and I virtually live in the same area, we are roughly the same age, and both currently attend college. The obvious differences would be that I entered countless times and was process of moving therefore HGTV did not have my correct address. What if Vern was actually looking for me?
Hats off to Vern and his team–you did outstanding job! Congratulations to Adam I hope you truly get to enjoy your winnings. And for goodness' sake THANK your Mother.
So HGTV, is it safe to assume the next Urban Oasis winner will not come from Central Florida?
Congratulations Adam & I am sure your mother will be happy to “apartment crash”
Vern did a superior job in making a small apartment look amazing & function perfectly.
Congradulations Adam! Don't forget to get your mother a real nice Xmas and Mother's Day present! ^_^
I'm so happy for Adam…also goes to show "Mother knows best". He has a great start to a wonderful future. I was also very, very impressed with the fact that he still intended to go to school that day for his exam. Wow, his Mother must be very proud, i know I am and even shed a tear of happiness for the guy. Perfect Ending!
What a nice comment, HGTVBunny. I'm happy for Adam, too, and he and his Mom must have a great relationship!
Congratulations Adam! May your win open doors of opportunities that you never dreamed about or expected. So glad for you. Enjoy!!!
Congratulations Adam! Of course you should seek outside financial advice, but I would take the cash. The first buyer in the W Downtown already has his one bedroom back on the market, and previously scheduled closings haven't happened. In fact both mortgages on the building have traded at discounts this year to the same buyer. This building looks like its headed for foreclosure, which might mean major discounts.
That is important information for Adam to consider, in order to make an informed decision.
Beautifully said as always MeKhazSimi!!!!
Hi UCF student Adam Venckauskas, from a fellow Floridian. What a wonderful time of your life, a graduation in a great career, a lucky and wonderful win of the Urban Oasis, and so close to Thanksgiving. This is truly a time to celebrate!!!! I know that Vern Yip, family and friends must be super proud of you. P.S. I checked in with all the young people in my family and told them about this remarkable day,and they are all cheering you on for all the success, and benefits of your new future.
My father always said that you only need one ticket to win. He sure was right. Congratulations Adam, it will give you a great start with your new life and hopefully help with your education to further your career. Even though you are lucky enough to win, I hope you still follow your dream as money comes and goes easily but your education and future in it is forever. Good luck with all your dreams.
Agreed.
Congratulations Adam I hope you have room for a HOT fire pit table!
WoooHOOO Adam!!
Okay, is it time to reveal the location of the 2011 Urban Oasis yet? Not that I'm anxious for another opportunity to win the next urban fantasy condo or anything like that….
Congrats Adam! A proud moment for all moms out there whose kids don't listen to them! Next step is to get a great job nearby when you graduate. Have fun your new, unbelievable home.
Its so hard to belive that adom onle entered this givaway ont time. He won becouse of a higher power. God our hevinly father blessed him and i feel like he will bless me in 2011. I know that i deserve it.Congradulations adom.
Well adom i know school is so hard. I have tried to go back to school a few times but when you have suffered from a Tramatic Brain Injury like i have. Well let's just say that it is so hard for me to lear something. After i suffered from this Tramatic Brain Injury i was unable to read or write for almost 5 year's. I was unable to speak for one month, And it is verry fusterating to me. I have made great progress . I have made more progress than anyone medically would have thought i would. I am so verry lucky and owe it all to our heavinly father above.
Sure…
Congrats to Adam. Does anybody know what his date of birth is?
Or is that classified information?
I'd guess if anyone knew it here, they'd prefer not to disclose it for privacy concerns given how much identity theft goes on.
OH, ok. I just ask because he(Adam) sayed he only put in one entry because his mother told him too. And I thought it could be possible that he didn't send any on his own because he knew he wasn't 21 years old yet before he sent the entry. Which would disqualify him(Adam) from being the winner. What can I say I have an investigative mind lol.
We can't be far away from new info on the next Urban Oasis—-I hope, I hope, I hope. Let the games begin!
My three guesses——Hawaii—-Seattle—San Francisco.
MKS look what I just found that I saved from you. You are one of the most gorgeous writers on this blog, and I would like to ask you what happened to you full name. I am not so crazy about the deleted name, as it's not you. Later tonight, I am coming back on the blog to give you my go phone number Khaz, please call me and let's have some fun talking. I miss you.
Later that afternoon, wind blowing, snow flurries and all, I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, with all it's thunderous noise. On the other side, I walked into a tiny, nondescript, restaurant and ordered the bowl of stew-of-the-day which came with a huge chunk of warm home-made sourdough bread. It was wonderful. And on the walk back across the bridge and onto the streets crowded with time-crunching pedestrians from all nations, all nationalities, all walks of life, all focused on their unique version of their life's-mission-of the day—-I thought –how awesome is this—-within one block—-I'm thinking about stew and bread, that person is hoping his Wall street stock quote was correct, that person is hoping she doesn't screw up her first opportunity at a lead role tonight, that person hopes he can find a job and bring his family here soon, that couple wishes they'd brought the map with them, those kids eyes are so full of dreams. Yes NY is magical. Thanks for the memory as they say. LOL