| 49 REGIONAL Bed Rock Queenstown: Stroud Homes Great homes start in Queenstown Lakes We’re not a laid back building firm; we know you’re paying interest, we know you’re paying rent, and we know you need your new home built on time and to a very high standard. Our systems are all designed to minimise stress on your part by ensuring your new home stays within your budget and is built within the specified timeframe. But more than anything, our process aims to keep you informed, involved and delighted with both the build process and your new home. Aaron Shaw 027 2035 986 aaron.shaw@stroudhomes.co.nz www.stroudhomes.co.nz Builder/Owner A New Model for Living As lead contractor on the Bed Rock project, Stroud Homes Queenstown Lakes was tasked with building three homes designed around a very di erent model of residential living. The Frankton development combines six private furnished suites with shared kitchen, dining and living spaces, creating accommodation for workers who might otherwise struggle to nd somewhere suitable to live in Queenstown. The rst two buildings opened in March 2025, with a third now under construction. “Our role as lead contractor was to take that design and deliver it on site,” Stroud Homes Queenstown Lakes owner Aaron Shaw says. “What made us a good t was our local team, our relationships with trades and suppliers, and our ability to manage a project that was quite di erent from a typical standalone residential build.” Aaron is based in Central Otago and has more than a decade’s experience in the building industry. “Building around Queenstown and Central Otago de nitely has its own challenges,” he says. “You’ve got the climate, snow loads, di cult sites, di erent ground conditions and council requirements, so local knowledge makes a big di erence.” That was particularly true for Bed Rock, where getting the technical details right was critical. “Coordinating all the di erent trades and components to make sure the design was executed properly was a huge part of our role,” Aaron says. “We’re here, we know the area and we’re accessible throughout the build, so our clients are dealing with a team that actually understands what it takes to build here.” That local expertise applies to both bespoke projects like Bed Rock, which incorporates high-level insulation, thermally broken glazing, heat pumps and solar power, and conventional residential builds. Stroud Homes Queenstown Lakes o ers house designs ranging from compact homes and duplexes to larger lifestyle and luxury properties, with plans modi ed to suit individual sections, requirements and budgets. The business also works with clients who bring their own plans or ideas. Aaron says clients are becoming more considered about what they actually need from a home, increasingly opting for tailored designs that respond directly to their section and lifestyle. “Energy e ciency and good heating are really important here, but people are also looking closely at how they use their space and where they get the best value for their budget,” he says. “There’s still strong demand for higher-end homes, but we’re also seeing interest in more compact homes, duplexes and designs that give people exibility. “For us, a successful build isn’t only about delivering a great-looking home. It’s also about making sure the clients enjoy the process and feel informed and supported from the rst conversation through to handover.” The company is currently building in developments across the region, including Hanley’s Farm in Queenstown, Mt Cardrona Station, Alpine Meadows and Orchard Park in Wānaka, and Koreke Rise in Lake Hāwea. It is also the preferred builder for the William Hill development in Alexandra. Operating from its display centre in Cromwell, Stroud Homes Queenstown Lakes works throughout Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago, combining the resources and proven systems of the wider network with the personal accessibility of a locally based team. It currently has a show home in Alpine Meadows, with another opening soon at Shannon Farm in Cromwell. Aaron says Bed Rock demonstrates what can be achieved when a client, designer, building team and local trades work collaboratively. “We’re proud to have been part of it and proud to show what a locally owned Stroud Homes team can deliver in the Queenstown Lakes region,” he says. T T Kim Bowden Workers complex taking shape in Queenstown Bed Rock, a new residential development in Frankton, is offering a practical alternative: private suites within a high-spec shared home. Year in, year out, Queenstown workers resort to hot-bedding, overcrowded flats, and even garages as they struggle to find a place to live. Bed Rock, a new residential development in Frankton, is offering a practical alternative: private suites within a high-spec shared home, tailored for workers that need something more permanent than a hostel without the high costs of renting a house solo. For founders, Dougal and Michelle Burfoot, the resort town’s housing crisis was a chance to rethink what shared living could look like. The couple purchased the Frankton land in 2023, opened their first two Bed Rock buildings in March 2025, and now have a third under construction next door. “When people hear the words shared accommodation, they usually picture something basic, crowded, and temporary,” Dougal says. “We believed it could be something entirely different.” The model targets the workforce keeping Queenstown running – from hospitality and tourism staff to healthcare professionals, tradespeople, and working holidaymakers. “We asked ourselves what would make people genuinely enjoy coming home after work?” Dougal says. “The answer wasn’t about building more bedrooms. It was about creating an environment where people can actually live well.” Each 280sqm home contains six furnished 35sqm suites, complete with tiled ensuites, built-in workstations, wardrobes, smart TVs, and individual Wi-Fi. Residents share a central kitchen, dining room, lounge, laundry, and outdoor area, while retaining their own dedicated fridge and pantry storage. Five off-street car parks and lockable storage for bikes and skis complete each property. Designed specifically for Queenstown’s climate, the homes feature six-inch insulated outer walls, thermally broken double glazing, heat pumps, and solar power to keep warmth in and winter running costs down. Dougal says the shared layout fosters an instant social connection for newcomers, who have left family and friends behind and are starting a new chapter in an unfamiliar place. For overseas workers in particular, he says, the right living environment can make the difference between simply getting by in a new country and genuinely enjoying the experience. Suites are priced competitively alongside much of the town’s lower-quality shared accommodation, giving residents access to a higher standard of living without moving into a different price bracket. For the Burfoots, the business case is closely tied to the quality of the living environment. Residents that are happy and comfortable in their space stay longer and take better care of the property, creating a positive cycle in which people take pride in the shared environment. With housing shortages making local recruitment and retention tough, the model addresses a challenge for businesses trying to attract and keep staff in the region. “While large-scale developments are part of the solution, there’s a vital place for thoughtfully designed accommodation that recognises people want more than just a bed – they want security, comfort, and a sense of belonging,” Dougal says. The third building is due for completion in early October, and the Burfoots say strong demand suggests there is a commercial future in shared housing that prioritises how people live, rather than how many beds can fit under one roof. “There’s a vital place for thoughtfully designed accommodation that recognises people want more than just a bed – they want security, comfort, and a sense of belonging.”
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