My home my castle you might be thinking when you view this beautiful Oamaru landmark.
Built by Mike Spiers of ATM Builders, this massive five bedroom, four bathroom landmark won the Southern New Home (over $2 million category) at the Registered Master Builder Awards in 2021.
There’s even an obligatory dungeon inside, as well as a tunnel, turrets and crenulations, not to mention a lake-size moat.
Quite the project for a building firm and in all likelihood, a once-in-a-lifetime one. The whopping 1250sqm Ōamaru landmark came with its fair share of challenges and required communication, patience and thinking outside the square from everyone involved.
It’s not like ATM Builders could go down to the local store and buy castle fittings and fixtures – in many cases, they had to make them themselves.
The company even dug the moat and used stones in the build. The walls, clad in custom Ōamaru bolstered stone, are almost half a metre thick and sit on huge concrete footings.
More than 20,000 blocks were used, so Riverstone Castle, split over three levels, is built to last – and, in case of trouble, to withstand attack.
Underfloor heating comes from moat water passing through heat pumps and a furnace that warms the pipes. Some of the internal beams are made from century-old macrocarpa from the owners’ farm.
Riverstone Castle is the dream of Dot and Neil Smith and was built on their dairy farm behind the famous Riverstone Kitchen.
Dot’s childhood dream to one day live in a castle is now a reality, brought to life by the years she has spent gathering ideas, roaming stately manors, historic gardens and old castles abroad and collecting the individual pieces she has sought to furnish it with.
Her vision was accomplished with the help of Wanaka architect Sarah Scott and her ever supportive husband Neil. It is now open for public tours.