| 69 T T Kim Bowden New homes a perfect fit The original dwelling has been demolished and replaced with two standalone, two-storey homes, each close to 200sqm in size. Bluzzo DEVELOPMENT Proudly Supporting Bluzzo Ltd Specialists in all types of Metal roofing, reroofs, wall cladding, gutters, fascia and downpipes Get In Touch 021 198 0733 proroofltd@hotmail.com P: +64 21 276 8910 ( RI¿FH#PFRRSHUDUFKLWHFWV FR Q] ZZZ PFRRSHUDUFKLWHFWV FR Q] A dated 1980s’ house on a prominent Arrowtown corner site has made way for two high-spec homes, in a project its developer says reflects both the area’s rapid evolution and the strength of its local building network. Developer Grant Rich says the 603sqm Devon Street site – formerly home to a “cold, wet, leaking” single-glazed plaster house – was identified as an opportunity by his son Chris, a Queenstown-based builder, of Method Builders Ltd. “We did a bit of market research, looked at the options, and then decided to proceed,” he says. The project has become something of a family effort. Both Chris and his brother, James, who completed their apprenticeships under their father, are involved in the build. “They’ve both worked with me on developments over the years,” Grant says. The original dwelling has been demolished and replaced with two standalone, two-storey homes, each close to 200sqm in size. One is configured as a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home, while the other has three bedrooms and a larger outdoor living area. he design maximises what the site allows under planning rules, Grant says. “We’ve maxed out what we can do as far as height, boundary and site coverage.” The corner position enabled separate access for each dwelling, giving them “their own identity”, while the north-facing, flat site close to the Arrow River was a key driver of the project. “It’s a magnificent site,” says Grant. “I think it’s one of the best sites in Arrowtown.” While the development itself is small in scale, Grant says it highlights the network of planners, designers and tradespeople involved in bringing a project to life, many of them locally based or working regularly in the Southern Lakes district. Planning advice was provided early by Amanda Leith of Remarkable Planning, helping confirm the subdivision and development potential of the site. “Amanda guided us through the process and what the options were,” Grant says. Architect Michael Cooper, who has experience designing in the area, was then brought in to shape the homes. “Chris knew the style of house we wanted, having lived and worked down here, and Michael added his expertise to the design,” Grant explains. The brief was to design homes that would fit within Arrowtown’s established character, rather than push into more contemporary forms. “We didn’t want anything modern. We wanted something more traditional – schist, cedar, iron roofs – something that slotted in with the Arrowtown look.” Beyond design, much of the contractor team came together through local connections and word-of-mouth referrals. “Recommendations from other tradies and Chris’s existing contacts – that was huge for us,” Grant says. “The guys we secured were competitive and had good experience.” The homes are being built to a high specification, with double-glazing, full insulation, underfloor and slab heating, gas fires and cooling systems. The development is Grant and Chris’s first in the Southern Lakes, although the family has longstanding ties to the area. “We’ve been coming down here since the boys were born, and both boys attended Arrowtown Primary for a period. They know Arrowtown well.” Grant says the project sits within a broader wave of change in the historic township, where older housing stock is increasingly being replaced or extensively renovated. For Grant, maintaining the town’s character is important. “Hopefully, it changes for the better. They need to retain the Arrowtown feel – that’s what we’ve tried to do in our design.” The first of the two homes is expected to go to market in August, with the second to follow later in the year.
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