Client News

Bennie Builders features the husband-and-wife team of registered Master Builder and Level Two licensed building practitioner James Bennie, and practicing solicitor Mia Bennie.

The architecturally-designed ‘lock up and leave’ apartments offer those staying at the property a feeling of sophisticated solitude, even though they are just a stone’s throw from the buzzing town centre.

Features in the open plan interior are a delightful surprise, including tongue and groove ceilings, honed block work and polished concrete floors.

Director James has 17 years’ experience in the building trade and has worked on large commercial projects and residential builds in Queenstown for 13 years’.

Director Mia specialises in the company’s resource management and consent processes including procurement on land purchases for spec builds.

James said the award meant a lot for the company as it recognised the “hard work of his team”.

“Master Builders House of the Year is a longstanding, established and tough competition, and it’s also great recognition for the client that Bennie Builders has delivered an award-winning product,” he said.

“It’s technically a very difficult build made more demanding with the tight and busy location.

“There are many bespoke elements of the steel and timber finishings which have been handcrafted specially for their spaces.

“The building process involved many changes as the property went up. Our clients wanted to build a property that reflected how they lived. Our aim was to manage our subcontractors and respond to those changes and as quickly and effectively as possible to ensure client desires were met.”

Since 2015, the company has received three Master Builders awards.

Picture caption:

1/ Peering out over Lake Wakatipu like a pair of cedar-clad binoculars – the award-winning home from Bennie Builders of Arrowtown

“It makes us so proud and gives us a real sense of achievement in having built these fantastic houses and then being recognised by the industry for the quality and high standards of workmanship,” he said.He described the craftsmanship award as “one of the best” in the Master Builders Awards.

“It shows real recognition for all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into these houses, and it also demonstrates to our team that we’re getting recognised for our very high standard of finishing and quality throughout the construction.”

Stu said the company had grown significantly in recent years and the awards helped his team really focus on what they were trying to achieve.

The two homes that won the awards are both in Jacks Point, enjoying lake and mountain views and with a stunning golf course on their doorstep.

Taking out a Gold Award, Category Award and Craftsmanship Award in the CARTERS New Home $1 million to $2 million category, one of homes exudes lodge-style luxury, featuring timber and stone inside and out.

The other property won the company a Gold Award, Category Award and McKenzie and Willis Interior Design Award in the Nulook New Home $700,000 to $1 million category.

The more contemporary-style holiday retreat has been designed to work as a permanent home for its owners in the future.

Stu has 16 years’ experience in the building trade – he’s been working in the Central Lakes district for a decade and has built a large number of quality homes in the area.

The Lakes Building Company currently has three residential projects under construction, one in Kelvin Heights designed by Mason and Wales, a large house in Dalefield designed by Artkus and a large alteration in Arrowtown designed by Assembly Architects.

The Lakes Building Company most recently finished work on the Gems Childcare Centre in Shotover Country.

Since 2012, the company has received 14 Master Builders awards, including the six current awards.

About The Lakes Building Company

Stu’s local knowledge and eye for detail saw him achieve a Gold Award at the 2012 Master Builder’s House of the Year and was named overall winner for the Category ($350 000 – $450 000 new build). This house was then included as one of the top 100 houses to go through to the National Master Builder’s House of the Year Awards, achieving a Gold Reserve Award, an impressive achievement for a first-time entrant.

In 2013 Stu entered his own beautiful Jack’s Point home in the Builders Own Home section of the competition and again took out the Gold Award and was included in the national finals.

In 2015 the Lakes Building Company picked up two more prestigious Gold Awards.

Click here to visit The Lakes Building Company’s website.

Picture caption:

1/ Lakes Building Company won three regional House of the Year Awards for this Jacks Point property