A steep section overgrown in native bush had to be cleared to make way for this beauty on the banks of the Waikato River.
The team at Holcroft Prestige thrive on these challenges, and after two months of land clearing, excavation and retaining walls the site was finally ready for a building platform. Owner Nick Holcroft said they built the downstairs area first and worked their way back up.
The ‘River Queen,’ earned them a National New Zealand Registered Master Builder House of the Year title in 2021 (New Home $1million -$1.5million,) after taking out the Waikato Regional Supreme award.
Winning a national category in these annual awards amongst hundreds of entries is an extremely high achievement in the building industry. “We do enjoy a challenge. For us it’s not about having a straight-forward build and they never are. And it gets my guys out of their comfort zone,” he said.
This double Gable end home is just 193sqm but was complex due to its design. Prominent views over the Waikato River have been achieved through clever positioning of the house, and the placement of skylights ensures the home is flooded in natural light.
Despite the large-scale land clearance, plenty of surrounding bush remains, and using a mixture of cedar and heritage tray colorsteel cladding, this beautiful home looks like it was always part of the landscape.
But many of these features are hidden from the street, with another whole world waiting inside, and looking back up from the river’s edge offers a completely different view. The upper level of the house has a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, and Autex acoustic panels have also been installed to soften any noise.
Tongue and groove flooring, professionally laid and finished with a sealant, as well as negative detailing between the walls and floor have been made to a high level of craftmanship, doing away with traditional architraves and skirting.
Holcroft Prestige Ltd was founded by Nick in 2011, a craftsman with significant experience in the building industry.
Stepping out on his own, the formation of Holcroft Prestige Ltd enabled him to concentrate on high-end projects and today, Nick leads a dynamic team of builders who take pride in delivering top quality craftsmanship and a great customer experience.