About Us

Over 25 years ago, a conversation took place with a Building Control Officer, who expressed his views on what to do with oversized period family homes. He appeared to have no constructive use for them in a modern family environment and preferred to "knock them down".

Our view, however, was that they could be converted to small units, i.e. self contained apartments, retaining their exterior and character, thereby making them once again desirable places to live in.

He reinforced his view as "you can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse". Both my Co Director and I had very strong views on what was wrong with the quality of conversions and renovation work of that time. Modern technology was advancing far beyond the average builder's ability to accept or understand its implication. This, coupled with a standard lack of design concepts, was the major reason why buildings were badly renovated. Unsympathetic modernisation and even wholesale demolition had been the policies of the 50s and 60s. These policies had led to major shifts in population patterns and had created major social problems.

This ten minute, highly charged conversation generated an idea to prove these critics wrong. We felt that we needed complete autonomy, no dictation by client, architect or surveyor. We bought our first house and divided it into four completely self contained apartments, installing fully fitted kitchens, full central heating systems, new period window frames etc. All the requirements of a modern home, but retaining and enhancing the original character. The development was so successful that tenants were moving into completed apartments whilst other areas of the building were still literally a building site and this in the days when the average thought process was to buy NOT rent.

From this humble beginning, we have continued to grow, ever mindful of the deep recessions of the property market. We also considered it vitally important to pay as much attention to looking after existing properties whilst continuing to invest in new developments. Some of the early developments have been completely revamped two or three times over that 25 year period, always brought up to date with modern technology, i.e. door entry systems, double glazing, burglar alarms, secure parking etc.