The Mosgiel-based company, established by Bill Hamilton in Arrowtown 20 years ago, was recently recognised for its work on the Esplanade Restaurant redevelopment.
The redevelopment, in The Hydro building in St Clair, Dunedin, won the value award for commercial project under $2million at the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, and a gold award for heritage/restoration.
The firm has previously received awards in the Master Builders Awards, mostly for residential properties, although it received a regional silver award in 2011 for its work on restaurant No7 Balmac.
Judges said the restaurant and bar transformation brought "new life'' to The Hydro building, continuing a tradition of hospitality.
Significant structural upgrading was required to strengthen and repair the building, followed by a "meticulously'' detailed interior fitout, incorporating recycled timber from Christchurch and Central Otago.
"This superbly finished product reflects the unique and special blend of contributions by landlord, tenant, consultants and builder,'' they said.
Karen Hamilton, W Hamilton Building Ltd's finance and systems manager, said the business had grown since its early days in Central Otago.
Mr Hamilton, who is now vice-president of the Otago executive of the Registered Master Builders Association of New Zealand, relocated to Dunedin in 2007 after being asked to build a house in Maori Hill.
The team had grown to 22, which included a quantity surveyor, and general manager and business partner Greg Cramond.
The Esplanade project was a major undertaking, with a brief that was "to completely redo it but keep it the same''.
The firm worked with Cheshire Architects, a firm that was "very innovative and clever'', she said.
Entering awards was a good way to lift the company's profile, Mrs Hamilton said.
It had been a big year for the firm.
Turnover had grown more than 50% over the past 12 months.
A new project management-based software system had also been installed.
