Our history

 

1969

Lodge opens first branch in Victoria Street - 2 partners, 1 support staff.

1969

First Fieldays takes place at the Te Rapa Race Course, now the largest agri-business exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, which attracts over 130,000 visitors.

1970

Future Director David Couch joins Lodge as a salesperson. He'll stick around for a while. 

1971

Moved to new premises - Knox Street.

1973

Re-locate to Ulster Street where they still are today.

1981

Management Plan establishing Hamilton Gardens passed by Council with the theme ‘The History, Context, and Meaning of Gardens’. The gardens now attract more than 1.3 million visitors a year and host over 2000 events.
Protestors invade Rugby Park forcing cancellation of the Springbok v All Blacks test.

1983

Lodge introduces Exclusive (Sole Agency) Marketing and Auction Marketing to Hamilton. Staff number - 17.

1984

Lodge City Rentals opened in Hamilton East to specialise in property management.

1987

Waikato Museum of Art and History opens.
Housing Corporation acquires land which will become the Flagstaff subdivision.

1988

Joins “United” franchise group.

1989

Hamilton East residential branch opened.

1990

Awarded Top United Realty Office for NZ - Held for next 6 years,
Hamilton population - 99,000

1992

Chartwell residential branch opened, Staff number - 52.

1994

International services begin at Hamilton Airport.

1996

Hamilton's sixth major bridge at Pukete opens, connecting the rapidly expanding northern parts of the city.

1997

Leaves franchise group to be independent Lodge Real Estate Hamilton, Hamilton population - 111,700.

1998

Dinsdale residential branch opened.
Founding member NZ Realtors Ltd, a collective of NZ's best independent agencies, formed for idea sharing and referral business.

2001

Forms Lodge Country Ltd to specialise in Farm and Lifestyle Sales.
Hamilton population - 120,900.
Forms Lodge Commercial Ltd to specialise in Commercial and Industrial Sales and Leasing. Staff number - 85.
Fonterra's Te Rapa processing plant built; responsible today for nearly 20% of dairy giant's powdered milk output.

2002

Waikato Stadium opens with a Super 12 rugby match between Waikato Chiefs and Canterbury Crusaders.
Inaugural rowing event, the Great Race, to be run annually.

2003

Opens offices in Victoria Street for Lodge Country and Lodge Commercial teams.

Moves Chartwell Branch to larger Flagstaff Branch.

Lodge begins sponsorship of the Fine Homes Tour.

2005

Hamilton economy thrives with 10,693 businesses located within the city.

2006

Opens the second Property Management office in Victoria Street.
Hamilton population - 134,400.

2007

Opens Rototuna Branch.
REINZ Waikato / BOP / Gisborne District Awards - Six of ‘Top Ten Residential Salespeople’ from Lodge.
Two of ‘Top Three Property Managers’ from Lodge City Rentals.
One of ‘Top Three Lifestyle Salespeople’ from Lodge Country.

2008

Lonely Planet guide states that Hamilton city's main street has sprouted a sophisticated and vibrant stretch of bars and eateries that leaves Auckland's Viaduct Harbour for dead.

2008

V8 supercars come to New Zealand for the Hamilton 400 as part of the V8 supercar series.

2009

Purchases Hamilton Property Rentals.
Property Management collects $40 million per year in rents with 15 property managers.
Residential Market share exceeds 35% for calendar year.
Staff number - 120.
Hamilton population - 140,700.

2010

Lodge receives top overall salesperson and 6 out of top 10 salespeople in BOP, Waikato, Gisborne region, plus 3 out of 3 property managers.

2014

Opens Body Corporate Management business.

Lodge buys a stake in Cambridge Real Estate Ltd

Hamilton celebrates 150 year birthday

2017

The Fine Homes Tour of which Lodge is the major sponsor has a record-breaking year, raising $118,571.

This is donated to Look Good Feel Better, Stroke Foundation of NZ, and the Child Cancer Foundation.

2019

Lodge Real Estate celebrates it's 50th anniversary

2022

Long-serving Director David Couch decides to hang up his tie. Wanting a family company to continue the Lodge legacy, his stake in Lodge Real Estate is acquired by Barfoot & Thompson.

Peter Thompson becomes Director, joining Jeremy O'Rourke.