History

In the 1960’s twins Peter and John Binet joined the ‘family business’ and very quickly became a formidable team. Their reputation for reliability and quality workmanship was being noticed and soon the Binet boys found themselves in demand.

In 1961 they launched their first ‘spec house’ – at 37 Ridge St, Epping – which became a standout home, further cementing the brothers’ reputation. The Binet footprint was growing in Carlingford, Beecroft, West Pennant Hills, Epping and Castle Hill and with the future looking bright, on August 19 1965, the brothers incorporated Binet Homes as a proprietary business.

The Binet brothers continued to take on sub-contracting work, however their focus was on building homes. Leading into the 70’s the brothers perfected the popular ‘Cape Cod’ style of home, which would go on to become a design staple of the firm. Binet Homes also launched their first ‘display home’ – in Hull Rd, Beecroft for customers to experience the pleasures of a Binet-built home first hand.

The brothers saw the company through the turbulence of the 70’s with its reputation enhanced. In 1974 they were rewarded with a significant contract – the construction of 21 dwellings in north-west Sydney for the Department of Defence. During these years Peter was able to secure title over a 10-hectare parcel of land in Glenhaven which would soon define Binet Homes and the Sydney Housing Industry.

When Peter had negotiated the purchase of the aesthetically appealing plot, he had envisaged a village-style development – something that has never been attempted in Australia in that time. Deciding to name the development ‘Sandhurst Manor Estate’, it was to be a place where residents would not be confined on postage-stamp allotments, where there was room for leisure and to enjoy the fresh air and countryside. The style of homes would evoke a range of traditional architectural motifs, from Scandinavian Alpine, Australian Gothic, to English Tudor, and even a touch of medieval - all executed with the distinctive and sought after touch of Binet.

In a ringing endorsement of the exceptional design quality of the Sandhurst Manor Estate, in 1986 the zone was names the Top Metropolitan Land Development in the NSW Department of Housing’s property awards.

The Binet Homes name grew from strength to strength and soon the company was frantically busy embarking on a number of ‘full street’ developments. In 1986, Binet Homes entered a partnership with Peter’s associates Cliff and Joyce Sullivan to establish the ‘Bellbird Estate’, a three street development in West Pennant Hills. The development encompassed 33 high-end custom homes on three new roads – Corella Court, Brolga Way and Rosella Way.

Binet Homes weren’t competing with the high-volume builders. Homes in the area would be surrounded by homes of similar prestige and because of this Binet Homes found that they could create something special – a theme Peter decided to mimic moving forward.

Just three kilometres to the North of the Bellbird Estate, Peter sensed another opportunity to develop more land in Katnook, Mildara and Redman Places. The homes, like in previous developments, would be high-quality, individually designed custom homes with character, presence and unequaled amenity for their owners.

The Binet development would be the sequel to the Sandhurst Manor Estate where the sense of rural tranquillity is created due to the enclave positioning and appealing elevation.

To cap off this decade’s catalogue of spectacular accomplishments, Peter and John embarked on the next ‘full street’ build, this time in suburban Castle Hill. Moving promptly, the brothers secured all 14 allotments on the newly subdivided Richmond Court, a ridgeline cul-de-sac on which would be built the picture-perfect ‘Federation Manor Estate’.

Design elements such as steeply pitched rooves, timber finials to gables, hooded windows and small-pane windows made this development the neo-colonial jewel of the Hills District.

Beecroft had been an area of great success for Binet Homes. Home to their first ‘display home’ in Hull Rd, followed by numerous contracts on at least ten separate streets. When a parcel of land became available off Blackwood Close, Peter and John grasped it with both hands. The two-hectare parcel of land did present some challenges due to the slope, access and even water-courses present throughout.

In keeping with the Federation design aesthetic for which Beecroft was well-known, the Blackwood Glen homes would express that architectural narrative. The stand-out home of the development ‘Oak Manor’ rose through three towering levels; its presence with detailed turrets from across the valley had a dream-like quality.

By the 90’s Binet Homes had perfected its formula for success. The name was synonymous with quality custom homes, ultimate service to its clients, and design standards of the highest order. The brothers undertook a further series of major developments in Cherrybrook named Cannanwood Estate, Arundel and Louise Way, and the Aiken Grove Estate in West Pennant Hills.

In 1994, Peter and John had stumbled upon a rare opportunity to redevelop the site of the Drummoyne Sports Club. In a joint venture between Binet Homes and the Sports Club itself, the Clubhouse would be restored and preserved, and 18 cleverly designed free-standing and partly-attached townhouses would be constructed. The development was marketed as ‘Riverside Mews’ and although there was some resistance from the councillor, the Council were persuaded of the merits and the legacy of the development.

By now, a bona fide market leader in the Sydney custom home building sector with multiple awards to confirm its position, Binet Homes was now a major building industry employer, formidable real-estate developer and trend-setting design innovator. The 2000’s saw more substantial developments at Oliver Way, Cherrybrook and a contract to build luxury residences at Pulpit Point – a development by real estate mogul Sid Londish.

At the age of 60, instead of thinking about retirement, Peter was thinking about his newest subdivision – a whole street development in the burgeoning suburb of Castle Hill. The first home in Kingscott Place set enviable standards and was eventually sold to three-time Binet Clients. 20 years later with only one custom home left under construction, the Estate encompasses 23 trophy homes of unique character and quality.

Work is continuing in the Kingscott Estate, and a new development has commenced in Pitt Town. The ‘Alcorn Mews Estate’ provides luxury rural living in a convenient locale on the Hawkesbury. Featuring sprawling luxury custom homes on half-acre allotments, it was also the scene of Channel 7’s television documentary titled ‘Before and After’. The documentary featured Peter, some of his staff and dozens of high-end homes for individual clients.

There are also anniversaries to celebrate. 2015 marked the 50^th year of Binet Homes’ foundation which is not a milestone reached by many companies, let alone builders. The Golden Jubilee Function held at the Epping Club saw many of Binet Homes’ previous employees, consultants, subcontractors, as well as current associations and clients that have built at least three homes with the company.

The journey of Binet Homes is ever-evolving, although the core elements of unparalleled service, uncompromising quality and quality craftsmanship still remain. Despite building custom homes for Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, rugby league legend Brad Fittler, tennis great Wally Masur and Australian Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, Peter Binet stresses the level or attention and detail is the same for all our clients.

Originally planned for 2020 – Peter’s 80^th birthday, a coffee-table book (Building Homes the Peter Binet Way) was published. The amazing story written by Roger Coombs encompasses Peter Binet’s sixty-year quest for perfection (tragically, his brother John had lost his battle with illness in 2013). But the story is unfinished, and every day a new chapter in the continuing Binet Homes story is being written.