Keeping it in the family: The building of Bellis Homes
- Family-run house builder Bellis Homes prove that you really can mix business with pleasure
- Company has expanded rapidly from 8 to 40 employees with a new head office secured
- Bellis Construction founded in 2015 to consolidate home construction practices
Bellis Homes is an upmarket luxury homebuilder operational across London and the Home Counties, headquartered in Harlow, Essex. The company has a wealth of experience with over 40 years of construction and development knowledge as well as project management.
Alan Fordham, the founder of the business, initially started at St James Developments, formed in 1995 to develop the Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club, the first of many successful projects in both the residential and leisure sectors.
The name ‘Bellis’ originated from the bellis perennis, a common European species of daisy. Thought to originate from the Latin for “pretty” and “everlasting”, Alan felt that this was an apt name for his family-run business – Bellis Homes – not least as Alan’s wife is a florist! The flower features on the logo to this day.
Since forming in 2014, Bellis Homes has expanded swiftly from a single residential project in the first year, to two more in 2015, a total of seven by the end of 2016 and even more to this day.
With Alan Fordham’s son, Henry coming on board to push the business further, Bellis Homes is going from strength to strength. In addition, Edward, another son of Alan’s has recently joined the company to head up the marketing and Alex, son-in-law to Alan brought in to manage sales, in keeping with the family run theme! Their team of eight has now expanded to around 40 employees, with a move to a larger head office now complete.
Being a family-run business allows Bellis Homes to provide a personal service, with a team they can trust, in a relaxed close-knit setting. They say, ‘don’t mix business with pleasure’ but Bellis Homes is proof of how a family can work together to real success.
“I can only see our business going from strength to strength. There are expansive financiers available today with demand being greater than I have ever known it; if you have a good scheme, you are likely to find the money. It really is a great time to be involved in the luxury homes market and I am very proud of how far Bellis Homes has come. It is amazing to have achieved such success within our family and to work so closely with one another on a daily basis is a reward in itself”.
Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes
The first completed development by Bellis Homes was located 20 miles outside of London in Musley Hill, Ware. Set on top of Musley Hill itself, the development consisted of five 4-bedroom detached houses and two 2-bedroom apartments. The quality exceeded expectation for its price range offering oak flooring, underfloor heating, bespoke Italian kitchens and luxurious master suites. Construction started early 2014 with completion early 2015.
The latest development to launch from Bellis Homes is located in Camden Town – Marine Ices Apartments. The former iconic ice-cream parlour is only a short walk from the fashionable Camden Market and Camden Lock. Marine Ices Apartments are currently under construction and when completed in 2018 will offer 19 apartments ranging between 566 sq ft and 1,221 sq ft with fabulous amenity spaces. The apartments vary from one to three bedrooms with vibrant finishes, CCTV, large balconies and composite oak panelled front doors with security features.
Another residential development of note and one which exemplifies Bellis Homes’ breadth of expertise is Rosary Manor. Located in a prime position in Mill Hill, North London, Rosary Manor is a Grade II listed former convent and school house which the Bellis Homes team are sympathetically transforming into a collection of luxury apartments.
With sturdy corporate mentalities, each project Bellis Homes has undertaken continues to bolster their established status of a luxury house builder with homes constructed to the finest specification and contemporary design.
In 2015 Bellis Construction was created to consolidate construction methods. The specialised in-house team brings invaluable experience of site and project management together with a detailed knowledge of all trades.
“Taking the strategic decision to bring our construction team in-house means we have total control over every aspect of our developments from start to finish. It also means we can better manage budgets and ensure our homes are completed to our extremely high standards.”
Henry Fordham, Director, Bellis Homes
Exclusively Bellis is the prestigious homebuilder’s prime brand. Methodical to the highest specification, features of Exclusively Bellis developments include gated entrances, swimming pool and spa areas, bars, grand staircases, staff accommodation, specialist interior and lighting design as well as some of the best home technology control systems.
Bellis Homes also features an in-house interior design team – Darsah Interiors with whom they work closely to dress many of their new developments.
For more information, contact Bellis Homes on 01279 424 733 or visit www.bellishomes.co.uk