With extensive experience of both Civil Engineering and Construction, Adrian Otten and John Colwell combined forces and as two young men, formed their own Company, Colten Developments Ltd., based in Lymington in 1971. The firm took its name from a combination of their two surnames and work began in the New Forest area particularly.
Now, after 30 years, the name Colten has become synonymous with the highest standards of building and excellence and the company has branched further afield.
It was their intention from the outset to concentrate the company work on the residential property market particularly and it is true to say that this ethos continues today, but there have been a number of forays into the commercial market with great success.
Colten now have a large portfolio of developments behind them, principally within the New Forest, Hampshire and Dorset areas, which are illustrated in this magazine and which show the diversity of design, style and variety of buildings the company has been responsible for.
From acorns large oak trees grow and now Colten is proud of its annual turnover which extends into millions. Despite the size of the business, they still see themselves as a family company with many loyal staff who have been working with them for years. All their schemes are architecturally designed and they have had close association with a choice group of respected firms of architects over the years. They now benefit from having their own in-house architects department which has allowed them to vary the design of houses more easily and effectively.
As was published in a review of the company in 1980, they still follow the same values and ideals, “we pride ourselves on our efficient management of planning, building and marketing. It is this which allows us to be competitive and yet offer traditional well-built and designed schemes with a high standard of environmental integrity”.
