| 69 T T Sue Russell Joint-venture paying off for busy trio Engas Developments is head contractor for the One Cook Street development in Hamilton East. Engas Developments DEVELOPMENT Hamilton-based brothers Stephen and Blair Currie, and friend Shane Quintus, decided the best way to create an effective property development model was to combine their separate skill-sets in engineering, gas-fitting and building, to provide a complete building and development service. Stephen says there were many reasons why this approach worked. “We created the company with a purpose of developing youth into fantastic carpenters and delivering work that we are passionate about, with a point of difference. Construction was booming and finding a building company was almost impossible. We were fortunate to team up with a mate who had a parcel of land on Hukanui Road in Hamilton,” he says. The call was made to undertake a joint venture and, Stephen says, the rest is history. When asked about the core purposes of the company Stephen says, like any business, the aim of the game is to make a profit, but the business has evolved in ways that provide staff and apprentices with a variety of different builds, and he says this is just as important. “When you start a company in the boom times, resources are few and far between. We’ve essentially employed an apprentice every year and have ended up building a team of well-rounded and highly skilled young men.” The team has now led multiple two- and three-storey developments, an industry-scale building, and a couple of high-end renovations. One of these renovations was awarded Gold at the 2022 annual Master Builders awards. Stephen says another core aspect of value about the company is in the way it supports local community projects. “This year, we’ve provided labour to place 270sqm of concrete at the Marist Rugby Club. This was a great community project to be involved in with a number of private and local companies chipping in to create an amazing all-year-round facility for the community to enjoy.” This year, Engas Developments is in the process of completing a high-end spec build in Matangi, which all involved are very proud of. The property at 9C Dalbeth Place is a 455sqm house with an additional 80sqm under-cover entertainment area sporting its own wood fireplace – an entertainer’s dream. “I’m confident this build will certainly be in the mix at new year’s MBA House of the Year competition. “We’re also head contractor for One Cook Street development in Hamilton East, an eight-storey mixed-use building, which will have amazing views both up and down Waikato River.” Foundations for this project are almost complete with steel erection having started in October. Developer for the project is Black & Orange Property, and it will be completed in early 2026. “Our development on the corner of Memorial Drive/Anzac Pde intersection in Hamilton East, called Eastbank Apartments, is progressing well and we’re expecting the new retaining wall to be completed in late November.” Native trees that once grew on the site have been milled and will feature in the foyer of the new building, which will be home to 27 apartments, ranging from one- to three-bedroom in size. Stephen says there needs to be a high level of focus on planning, design, quality assurance and very clear communications between all stakeholders. “We run a very small management team and we’re all in position to make the big corporate discussion happen fast. You need to build a great team environment where people enjoy coming to work.” He says the greatest challenge for Hamilton is in the civil infrastructure space and the cost being pushed through to developer and/or owners. Currently, many parts of Hamilton have significant capacity constraints and sky-rocketing development contributions/rates, which are creating restrictions/cancellations to future works within the city. “Resolving this will be critical to the city moving forward with large-scale projects of the nature we get involved in.” Stephen believes a more positive building sector is just around the corner in 2025, with interest rates heading south. “Buyers will start to have confidence in their ability to lock in better interest rates whilst their property prices start to increase again. “We’re constantly trying to fine-tune the building process to find efficiencies in labour and maximising use of building materials. We’re happy in the forseeable future to focus our energy on developments in the Hamilton area.” Render facade systems Licensed Applicator The paint and coatings on the exterior of your homes are the most important barrier you have against water penetration and destruction. LET US MAINTAIN YOUR HOME A well maintained house will last longer than a house that is left to deteriorate in the elements. • FULL INSPECTION SERVICE • WATER BLASTING SERVICE • REPAIR SERVICE • INTERIOR PAINTING • REPAINTING SERVICE • FULL SUPPLY SERVICE • CONSULTANCY SERVICE 1129a Whatawhata rd, RD5, Hamilton 0275 938 967 jason@glamacote.co.nz 45B Duke Street, P.O Box 8018, Hamilton Ph: 07 846 1995 www.modernconstruction.co.nz Modern Construction are proud to support Engas Developments
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