People
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18 April 2024
At home with Owner & Managing Director Neil McLennan
Press
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February 2025
Luxury Homebuilding in a Changing Market
Photo of Neil McLennan at an Englehart Project in Ivanhoe.
Image supplied by the Australian Financial Review.
Englehart:
A Legacy of Strength, Stability & Bespoke Luxury
HIA finalist: Best Custom Home over $5 million.
Luxury Homebuilding in a Changing Market
The Australian construction industry continues to evolve, with market consolidation and economic shifts reshaping the homebuilding landscape. In this environment, financial strength and long-term stability have never been more critical.
Englehart Managing Director Neil McLennan joins in on the conversation of how this looks like for the custom high-end segment within the wider residential construction industry, in this article by the Australian Financial Review.
While volume builders pursue scale, the approach at Englehart remains measured, refined and deeply personal, ensuring each home we craft is unique, enduring and backed by financial confidence.
“We’re not exposed to the same pressures as volume builders because our model is different. We take on a select number of projects each year, ensuring financial strength, design precision, and an uncompromising level of service.”
– Neil McLennan, Managing Director.
As Englehart marks 45 years of homebuilding excellence, we continue to refine our approach. Despite the industry’s challenges in 2024, we delivered 15 exceptional homes – each a testament to quality, craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail.
Since acquiring the business in August 2023, we have further strengthened our service model, positioning us for a growing demand that has already seen a 30% surge in enquiries in January alone.
“We’re not exposed to the same pressures as volume builders because our model is different. We take on a select number of projects each year, ensuring financial strength, design precision, and an uncompromising level of service.”
NEIL MCLENNAN
Managing Director
Financial Strength That Provides Certainty
Choosing the right builder is about more than just design- it’s about confidence.
Homeowners today want the assurance that their builder will be there from concept to completion, without the risk of financial instability disrupting their journey.
At Englehart, our financial resilience and discipline allow us to navigate market fluctuations while continuing to deliver exceptional, custom-built homes in Melbourne’s most sought-after locations.
As a premium architectural builder, we take on a carefully-managed number of projects each year. This approach allows us to:
Maintain financial stability, backed by seasoned and well-resourced industry professionals.
Ensure steady cash flow, allowing us to invest in superior craftsmanship and materials.
Deliver homes on time, with meticulous attention to design and detail.
Provide an exceptional aftercare program, ensuring our clients’ homes are well-cared for long after the keys are handed over.
Absolute Customisation:
The Art of Tailored Home Design
Every Englehart home is custom-designed to reflect its owner’s personal taste, lifestyle, and aspirations.
We know that great design isn’t about trends – it’s about alignment. Some clients prefer the timeless elegance of classical refinement, where proportion, balance, and intricate detailing define the home. Others are drawn to bold, contemporary expressions, where modern form, innovative materials, and natural light interplay to create striking spaces.
A key advantage of working with Englehart is our Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) model, which removes the burden of clients needing to come with ready-made drawings. We curate the right architectural expertise for each project, aligning budget, design preferences, and lifestyle to ensure the best possible construction outcome. Working with a builder from the outset streamlines the entire process, keeping designs realistic, cost-efficient, and aligned with each client’s vision and budget.
By collaborating with Melbourne’s leading architects across all styles, we ensure that every Englehart home is:
Completely bespoke, tailored to each client’s lifestyle and preferences
Built with architectural integrity, ensuring longevity and enduring beauty
A true expression of craftsmanship and innovation, setting a new benchmark for Melbourne luxury homes
“Whether a client envisions a French Provincial estate or a contemporary architectural statement, we ensure they are working with the best minds in the industry to bring their vision to life.”
“Great design isn’t about trends – it’s about alignment. Whether a client envisions a French Provincial estate or a contemporary architectural statement, we ensure they are working with the very best minds in the industry to bring their vision to life.”
Providing an immersive experience for our clients with a seamless virtual walkthrough.
The Future of High-End Homebuilding:
Stability, Quality & Innovation
While the industry continues to evolve, our commitment to measured growth, financial strength, and an unrelenting focus on excellence remains unwavering.
We build homes with enduring beauty, architectural integrity, and the craftsmanship to stand the test of time.
Read the AFR Coverage here.
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