84 | T T Kim Newth A lot of interest in high end homes Featuring extensive use of redwood timber and bespoke brickwork, the team is currently building an impressive new home in Kaikōura. Bruce Ensor Builders BUILDING Kaikōura’s foremost construction firm Bruce Ensor Builders Ltd is in the front seat on some breathtaking residential and commercial projects that showcase the coastal beauty spot’s vibrancy and a positive outlook ahead. Launched in 2005, Bruce Ensor Builders has gone from strength to strength. Bruce and partner Jax, who manages office and administration, employ a skilled team of 20 staff. Their services cover a wide range from commercial builds to residential renovation, high end new homes and civil construction. With three apprentices part of the team, the company is also showing its commitment to the industry’s future. Through winter, Bruce Ensor Builders has been hard at work on the South Island’s newest zipline adventure, EcoZip Adventures Kaikōura. Opening this month [November 2023], the five side-by-side zipline totals more than 2km and has a spectacular native bush setting. Native tree planting and pest eradication programmes are part of this conservation-geared project. This is EcoZip Adventures second site, their original zipline experience being on Waiheke Island. Originally planned for Mt Fyffe, EcoZip withdrew from that site over concerns the activity could potentially affect Hutton’s shearwaters in the area. Bruce and Jax subsequently offered their own farm as an alternative and were accepted. “The whole project has been highly engineered,” explains Bruce. “It has required a lot of steel work - including reinforcing steel and big steel portals that cables are hooked up to – along with footings in the ground. We have also built the platform where people will start their zipline adventures.” As Jax points out, the elevated location and inclement winter weather have been challenging. Vehicle access to the site is difficult, with heli-lifting used for some materials. Jax and Bruce are excited about this thrilling new attraction for Kaikōura. “As it’s a landbased activity, it provides an alternative to whale watching if the sea is too rough for that,” says Jax. “It’s going to be very positive for Kaikōura.” Coincidentally, the team has also been renovating the Whale Watch Kaikōura premises over recent weeks, ensuring the operation will be in tip top shape for the summer season. In the local residential market, Bruce Ensor Builders is noticing a lot of interest in high end homes. The team is currently building an impressive new home on beautiful Torquay Street, Kaikōura, on track for completion in early 2024. Designed by Ponting Fitzgerald Architects, the two-level home boasts strong vertical and horizontal planes, reinforced with structural steel. Featuring extensive use of redwood timber and bespoke brickwork, the home is closely detailed both inside and out. Spacious upper level living opens onto sheltered decking, and with extensive glazing, the sea views are floor • Project Information • Trade Contacts • Frame and Truss Plant • Delivery • Estimating • All Building Supplies 218 Beach Road, Kaikoura Phone: 03 319 5447 Email: sales@kbcitm.co.nz www.itm.co.nz KAIKOURA 0800BESTWINDOWS info@fairviewconcepts.co.nz www.fairviewconcepts.co.nz
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