University of Central Florida Senior Wins $1.5 Million Grand Prize Package in HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway 2010

OVIEDO, Fla., Nov. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Central Florida (UCF) senior Adam Venckauskas, 21, received an early graduation gift when he learned that he won the 2010 HGTV Urban Oasis, a luxury residence in the heart of New York City's financial district.  The fully-furnished residence, with sweeping vistas of the city's skyline, was custom-designed by HGTV's Vern Yip and is part of a grand prize package that includes a new Acura ZDX.  Venckausas's stunned reaction to winning the prize package, valued at approximately $1.5 million, was broadcast around the country during the HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway 2010 special on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

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"No way, no way," said Venckauskas upon hearing the news. "I'm speechless!"

A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Venckauskas, a civil engineering major, was studying for an exam when Yip knocked on the door of his student apartment to surprise him with the news.  Venckauskas, whose name was randomly drawn from more than 15.5 million entries, entered the first HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway once at the urging of his mother, Genevieve, who said she entered the sweepstakes each day of the entry period and encouraged her two sons, both UCF students, to enter as well.  "I think I'm off the hook for Adam's graduation present," she said with a laugh.  

The HGTV Urban Oasis is located in The Residences at W New York-Downtown, 123 Washington Street. Yip, a judge for HGTV Design Star, designed the home with a clean-lined, eclectic look, highlighted by antiques and architectural artifacts uniquely tied to New York City.  At just under 900 square feet, the residence includes one bedroom, a luxurious bath, a living room with lots of natural light, spectacular views of the city and a gourmet kitchen.  It also features state-of-the-art appliances and hardwood floors.  

"What a thrill to watch Adam's reaction when he learned that he had won the HGTV Urban Oasis," said HGTV President Jim Samples. "Millions of HGTV fans who are fascinated by city-living watched and participated in this year's giveaway.  We believe the home highlights the best in urban design and showcases the appeal of living in a downtown location that offers a variety of dynamic activities including theater, shopping, museums and restaurants."  

Online users can continue to visit HGTV.com/urbanoasis for a blog with exclusive videos of the downtown NY neighborhood and urban design ideas.  A virtual tour and slideshow tours of the residence also are available online.  Additional topics, including information on moving to an urban environment and small space living, are covered on HGTV's FrontDoor.com.

About HGTV Urban Oasis

The HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway complements the network's annual HGTV Dream Home Giveaway and HGTV Green Home Giveaway, two of the most successful consumer promotions in cable TV history. The HGTV Urban Oasis Giveaway 2010 involves sponsorship from several national advertisers including: Acura, SAMSUNG, Cuisinart®, DBA – Masco Cabinetry, Progressive Insurance, SC Johnson, KOHLER, Mullican Flooring, LP.  More information on the building and amenities can be found at www.wnyresidences.com.

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 99 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV's website, HGTV.com, is the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination and attracts an average of 4 million unique visitors per month. 

About The Moinian Group

The Moinian Group is widely regarded as one of the industry's most active development firms, boasting a portfolio totaling more than 20 million square feet of commercial, industrial, residential, retail and hotel properties throughout the U.S. and abroad, including 13 million square feet in Manhattan. The company has the most extensive private acquisitions in the country, including trophy buildings like the Downtown Club in Lower Manhattan, formerly known as the Downtown Athletic Club and home to the Heisman Trophy, the Willis Tower in Chicago and Continental Towers at 180 Maiden Lane in Downtown Manhattan.  Its team of seasoned professionals, hands-on management style and a strategic approach to investment and growth has armed the firm with the tools necessary to take advantage of the unique opportunities available in the real estate marketplace. For more information, visit www.moiniangroup.com .

About W Hotels Worldwide®

W Hotels is an innovative contemporary lifestyle brand and the hotel category buster with 35 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access to a world of "Wow." Each hotel offers a unique mix of innovative design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment.  W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous nightlife experiences, and signature spas.  With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to double its footprint by 2011. W Hotels and W Retreats have been opened & announced for Downtown New York, Hollywood, London, Paris, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Bali, Vieques Island, Koh Samui, and Verbier, among other international destinations. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

SOURCE HGTV