Design & build in Borough
MVV is a high-end design and build contractor working with homeowners across Borough and the wider SE1 postcode. From extensions and loft conversions to full refurbishments and careful work on period and listed buildings, we handle design, planning and construction as one accountable team, so you have a single point of contact from first sketch to final handover. Borough is one of London's oldest neighbourhoods, where Victorian and Georgian terraces, converted warehouses and newer riverside homes sit close together. Each calls for a different approach. We are used to the constraints of building in a dense, historic part of the city, and we plan every project around the way you actually live and the character of the home you already have.
Borough homes and what they need
The housing around Borough ranges from tight Victorian terraces and tenement-style flats to converted commercial buildings and apartments near the river. Older properties often hide their potential in dark rear rooms, narrow side returns and underused lofts, and many sit within conservation areas where the streetscape matters. Getting more light and space out of these homes takes a design that respects the existing structure rather than fighting it.
We begin by understanding the fabric of the building, from the condition of brickwork and floors to how daylight moves through it during the day. That groundwork lets us design extensions, loft conversions and refurbishments that feel like a natural part of the home, add genuinely usable space, and stand up to the practical realities of building on a constrained inner-London site.
The MVV approach in SE1
We deliver projects in Borough as a complete design and build service, covering the first concept, the planning application, construction and the final finishes. Because one team is responsible throughout, design decisions carry into the build without anything being lost in translation, and you always know who to call.
Our work spans house extensions, loft conversions, full home refurbishments, listed-building and period-property work, bespoke joinery and kitchen renovations. We carry public liability cover of up to ten million pounds, and on a tight Borough street we plan deliveries, access and the working day carefully so the disruption to you and your neighbours is kept to a minimum.
Featured local project: Borough High Street
On Borough High Street in SE1, MVV was appointed for the design and build conversion of an existing building into six flats and a commercial space. The scheme added a roof terrace and a deeper basement and was shaped to make the most of a constrained site, giving each flat its own character through balconies, open-plan kitchens and double-floor layouts.
We supplied the windows and joinery and completed facade restoration to lift the appearance of the building, with the project running over fifteen months from feasibility through to handover. It is a good example of how we combine sensitive work on an existing structure with the extra space and quality that homeowners and developers in Borough are looking for.
Our work in Borough
What we do in Borough
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need planning permission for an extension or loft conversion in Borough?
- It depends on the property and the work. Some single-storey extensions and loft conversions fall under permitted development, but flats, listed buildings and homes in conservation areas usually need a full planning application, and permitted development rights are often more limited in central areas. As a design and build contractor we assess your home early, advise on the likely route and manage the application and documentation that Southwark Council requires.
- How does working in a conservation area affect my project?
- Parts of Borough fall within conservation areas, where the council pays close attention to how changes read from the street and how they sit alongside neighbouring buildings. This can influence materials, window styles, rooflines and the detail of any extension. We design with these expectations in mind from the outset, which helps the approval process run more smoothly and keeps the character of the area intact.
- Can you work on period and listed buildings in SE1?
- Yes. Period and listed-building work is part of what we do, from careful repairs and bespoke joinery to full refurbishments. Listed properties need listed-building consent for many changes and a methodical approach that protects original features. We plan this work to respect the historic fabric while improving how the home performs day to day.
- How long will the work take and how disruptive is it?
- Timescales depend on the scope. A single-storey extension is typically a matter of months on site once design and planning are in place, while larger refurbishments and conversions take longer. On a busy Borough street we plan access, deliveries and noisy stages with care, keep the site tidy and secure, and keep you informed throughout, so the disruption to your home and your neighbours is kept as low as possible.