Built with History.
Made for Today.
Thoughtful construction & restoration rooted in craft, character, and a deep respect for the past.
Est. McKinney, Texas
THE BENJI HOUSE
The project that started it all.
A Local Landmark.
A Cultural Icon.
Built in the 1870s and named after one of McKinney's founding families, the Dowell House at 1104 South Tennessee Street is one of the oldest surviving homes in the city and a genuine piece of local history.
It became known far beyond McKinney in 1974, when independent filmmaker Joe Camp chose it as a key location for his film Benji. The film became one of the most beloved family films of its era, and the house has been a draw ever since.
Restored to Live in.
Not Just to Look At.
Ian purchased the Dowell House in 2020, not as a professional job, but as a personal one. He was going to make it his family's home. That influenced everything about how the work was approached.
Every original element that could be saved was saved. Where new work was needed, each decision was held to the same standard: would this be true to how the house was actually built in the 1870s?
The experience of working with a historic building on its own terms is what led directly to the creation of Benji Restoration. The company carries its name because of what he learned there.
What We Do
Every project is different. The standard isn't.
Historic Restoration
Preserving architectural heritage with meticulous attention to period-accurate materials, techniques, and craftsmanship.
View Projects →Additions & New Construction
Seamlessly blending new construction with existing character, built to stand for another century.
View Projects →Window Restoration
Restoring original windows to full function and beauty — preserving the glass, the hardware, and the history.
View Projects →Custom Milwork & Interiors
Handcrafted moldings, cabinetry, and interior details that honor the home's original design language.
View Projects →Built on a Lifetime of
Getting It Right.
Ian bought his first house in the late 1980s, a fixer-upper property in Kansas City that he worked on with the help of his father for several years. That's where he first learned construction: hands-on, starting with what didn't work and figuring it out from there.
He went back to school and graduated as an electrical engineer. The two things go together more than people expect. Engineering teaches you to understand a system before you change it, and buildings are no different.
Over the following decades — in Dallas, time spent abroad, and eventually McKinney — he continued to work on every house he lived in, whether it was Victorian, Colonial Revival, Tudor, or even mid-century. Each one taught him something, and by the time he took on the Dowell House in 2020, he'd been doing this kind of work for over thirty years.
Portfolio
Recent Projects
The Dowell House
A complete restoration of one of McKinney's oldest surviving homes, built in the 1870s. Every original element that could be saved was saved. Where new work was needed, each decision was held to the same standard: would this be true to how the house was actually built?
Victorian Revival on Elm Street
A late-Victorian home brought back from decades of neglect. Original windows were fully restored, and period-appropriate additions returned the home to its former grandeur.
Colonial Addition — Heritage Oaks
A new wing designed and built to match the original 1920s Colonial Revival style, including custom millwork and hand-matched exterior details.
Have a Project
in Mind?
Whether it's a historic restoration, a new addition built in period style, or a renovation — we'd love to hear about it.