96 | Bennett Homes Southland T T Russell Fredric Positive approach brings satisfaction The homes all feature modern layouts designed to maximise light, sun and everyday functionality. BUILDING With build-ready land increasingly difficult to find in Invercargill, Bennett Homes Southland is taking a proactive approach by identifying and developing residential sites. One example is a three-lot house-and-land development currently under construction in Heywood Street, Grasmere, where the local branch of the national building company is delivering a trio of new homes designed specifically for each site. Bennett Homes Southland branch manager Matt Randall says the development reflects a broader challenge in the local housing market. Securing suitable sections to build on has become one of the biggest hurdles for prospective homeowners in Invercargill, making smaller subdivisions increasingly valuable. “So, when we find pockets of land, we can develop and create house-and-land opportunities, that works really well for us,” Matt says. Developments of this kind have been an important part of the business, with around half of Bennett Homes Southland’s work originating from house-and-land projects. The Heywood Street development comprises three sections of around 600SQM, slightly larger than many infill sections typically created in established urban areas. “A lot of infill sections are closer to that 400-square-metre mark. These ones are a bit bigger, which makes them more familyorientated and gives people a bit more room to enjoy the property,” says Matt. Located near the end of the street, close to a cul-de-sac, the site’s benefit is being in a quiet setting within an established residential neighbourhood. “It’s a nice pocket of land. It’s close to the city, close to the supermarket, and it has that sort of park-like feel to it with very little through traffic.” Construction on the homes is well underway and one of the three properties has already sold, with houses expected to be completed between May and June. The homes themselves have been designed specifically for the site, rather than being drawn from a fixed catalogue of plans. Tailoring each design to the individual section is a key part of Bennett Homes’ philosophy. “Having the site sorted first is really important, because it tells you what the house needs to do. We look at the sun, the views, how people will use the indoor-outdoor spaces, and how the garaging works. We design the house around the land rather than trying to fit a standard plan on to it,” explains Matt. The homes comprise two, three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-living homes of around 170 square metres, and a larger fourbedroom home of about 200 square metres. They feature modern layouts designed to maximise light, sun and everyday functionality. The Heywood Street development is part of a steady construction pipeline for Bennett Homes Southland, which currently has around 10 houses under construction across the region, with several more projects scheduled to begin. Alongside its residential work, Bennett Homes Southland has also completed larger projects in the region, including the construction of 10 retirement villas at Hawthorndale Care Village, which formed part of a $35 million development. Bennett Homes Southland completed its homes in the village in August 2024. “It was a great community project to be involved in,” says Matt. “Those sorts of builds broaden your network and give you experience that can lead to other opportunities.” Bennett Homes Southland’s show home/ office is in 40 Victoria Avenue, Avenal. Proud to support Bennett Homes Southland Proudly Supporting Bennett Homes Flooring Xtra Invercargill Corner Tay & Deveron Streets P: (03) 218 7014 Flooring Xtra Winton 305 Great North Road P: (03) 236 7066 E: invercargill.winton@flooringxtra.co.nz CARPET • VINYL • TIMBER • LAMINATE • TILES • RUGS
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