Design & build in South Kensington
MVV is a design and build contractor working on homes across South Kensington, in SW7. We design and build refurbishments, restorations and extensions with one accountable team, bringing care and consistency to every stage of the project. South Kensington is known for its white stucco terraces, garden squares, mews houses and world-famous museums. Many of its grand houses are divided into apartments, and homes here combine historic character with the demands of modern city living.
South Kensington homes and what they need
The area's residential streets, such as Onslow Gardens, Queen's Gate and the squares around them, are lined with tall Victorian stucco terraces, many converted into flats, with mews houses behind. Apartments often have generous reception rooms but dated kitchens, bathrooms and services, and layouts shaped by earlier conversions.
Most projects renew kitchens and bathrooms, rework layouts, upgrade heating and electrics, and restore cornicing, fireplaces and sash windows, creating comfortable homes that keep their period charm.
Planning, listing and shared buildings
South Kensington lies within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and is largely covered by conservation areas, with many listed buildings. External changes are carefully controlled, and listed buildings need consent for internal works affecting their character. The borough also has a strict policy on basement development.
In converted buildings, freeholders and managing agents usually need to approve works and set rules for hours and protection. We plan all approvals at the design stage.
The projects we take on in SW7
In South Kensington we refurbish apartments and townhouses, restore period features, design kitchens, bathrooms and bespoke joinery and upgrade services discreetly. For mews houses and some houses, we also design extensions and roof alterations where planning allows.
We plan protection of common parts, deliveries and working hours in detail in shared buildings.
Nearby work on Bolton Gardens
On Bolton Gardens in SW5, on the edge of South Kensington, we designed and built a two-bedroom flat with strategic layout alterations for a new kitchen, an integrated seating bench by the windows, bespoke joinery for the TV unit, storage and wardrobes, and two fully renovated bathrooms.
The MVV approach
MVV brings design and build under one contract, with a team of 35 designers, builders and project managers and an office in Chiswick. We carry £10M public and employers' liability cover.
What we do in South Kensington
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- Can I reconfigure my South Kensington flat?
- Often yes, subject to structure, the lease and any listed building consent. We assess the building first and design a layout that works within those constraints.
- Do I need the freeholder's consent?
- Usually yes, for anything beyond redecoration. We prepare the drawings and information freeholders ask for and plan the programme around their approval.
- Can I add a basement or roof extension in South Kensington?
- Both are tightly controlled. Kensington and Chelsea's basement policy limits depth and extent, and roof extensions on uniform terraces are often restricted. We assess what is realistic for your property early.
- Can you restore period features in a converted flat?
- Yes. We repair cornicing, fireplaces, joinery and sash windows wherever possible and plan new services around them.
- How long does a flat refurbishment take in South Kensington?
- It depends on the size and scope of the work and any consents required. We set out a realistic programme in your proposal.