NI Developer Builds Best First Time Buyer Homes in UK

28th Nov 2011

Northern Ireland home builder the McGinnis Group has been awarded a UK-wide property award for its Coopers Mill development, near Dundonald. The accolade was granted by the UK What House? Awards - the McGinnis Group being the only winner from Northern Ireland.

The What House? Awards, now in its 30th year, were held in London last Friday, 18th November 2011 with celebrity host Hugh Dennis. In a hugely competitive industry, a ‘What House? Award’ is a highly respected symbol of prestige and excellence, giving winners the edge over their competitors. Coopers Mill won the Silver Award for Best Starter Home, one of 21 categories, beating off competition from across the UK, including all the major house-builders. This category is all about a new home that shouts quality and affordability, on this vital first rung of the housing ladder. The judges were looking for a clever layout which would make efficient and clever use of space and have a price tag within the range of first-time buyers.

Coopers Mill is the fastest selling development in Northern Ireland, with 65 properties sold so far this year - a 38.3% increase in sales from 2010. Coopers Mill has sold 160 houses since the development opened just over two years ago, making it easy to see why The McGinnis Group was the only winner from Northern Ireland.

Sales and Marketing Manager at the McGinnis Group, Patricia McGinnis comments: “For a small family company from Northern Ireland to have won an award competing against the big UK house-builders is a real coup for us. The competition was immense and we are thrilled that the quality homes at Coopers Mill have been recognised by these prestigious and long established awards.”

What house? Awards Judges comment on the new semi-detached ‘Y type’ housing at Coopers Mill: “Impressively, over 90 per cent of the purchasers have been first-time buyers, making for a lovely community feel. The quality of materials used really stands out and, as a result, this scheme will really stand the test of time. Quality architecture, including exposed stonework, sets this scheme apart from the rest. The open plan kitchen, diner and living room has been cleverly thought out, with the noisy washing machine being tucked away under the stairs and a large picture window and French doors covering the entire back wall - making the room exceedingly light. Coopers Mill as a whole, offers very good value for money.”

This award is the third UK award won by the McGinnis Group this year, the other winners being two UK Residential Property Awards, one for the Slackbuie Park development in Inverness and the other for Coopers Mill - ‘Best Development in County Down’. Other awards this year include the McGinnis Group Site Manager John Logue winning the NHBC Award again for the fifth year running and the ‘Finalist Award’ at the CIM Marketing Excellence Awards.

For more information on all the McGinnis Group properties click here