Larne skyline to change forever as demolition of Latharna House begins

Margaret Bell, former resident of Latharna House in Larne reflects on tower block life with Roy McClean, Housing Executive Assistant Area Manager, Mid and East Antrim.

One of Larne’s most recognisable landmarks is about to disappear from the town’s skyline as demolition work begins on the towering Latharna House apartment block.

For decades, the 16-storey Northern Ireland Housing Executive building stood prominently above Larne, visible to thousands of motorists travelling along the town’s ring road every day.

Now, more than 50 years after it was built, the landmark tower block is set to come down as part of the continued transformation of housing in the town.

End of an era for Larne landmark

Latharna House was constructed in 1970 by FB McKee and formed part of a trio of high-rise tower blocks alongside Gardenmore House and Shane House, both of which have already been demolished.

Built using a Bison concrete large panel system, the block contained 90 flats and was fitted with uPVC double-glazed windows.

The final resident was rehomed in 2023, bringing an end to more than five decades of life inside one of Larne’s best-known residential buildings.

While the demolition marks a major visual change for the town, for many former residents it also represents the loss of a close-knit community where generations of families lived side-by-side.

‘There was so much life about the place’

Margaret Bell, former resident of Latharna House in Larne pictured in the front garden of her new home.

Former resident Margaret Bell said she still carries vivid memories of life inside the tower block and the neighbouring Shane House.

“I lived in 2A Latharna House and in 9F Shane’s House before that. I had great neighbours and felt really safe there. The security did a great job,” she said.

“There are so many stories from the flats. I have some great memories of living there. I had a friend used to come round and just sit and watch the comings and goings of everyone out my kitchen window all evening. There was so much life about the place. I’m still in touch with friends I made there.”

Margaret described a strong community spirit that stretched across the three tower blocks and shaped daily life for many residents.

“Everyone knew everyone in Latharna. If someone was heading out and you needed something picked up from the chemist, you could just ask them to pick it up for you and they did,” she added.

“My mother and father lived in the flats and both were buried from there. Generations of families grew up together.

“There was real sense of community in that whole area especially when the three blocks were there.”

She also reflected on how life has changed since moving on from the flats.

“In the flats you only had a tiny balcony so if you wanted to grow anything you needed a window box. I have two gardens in my house now which I love. I love my flowers round me.”

Housing Executive reflects on changing communities

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive said Latharna House once played a major role within its housing portfolio and helped support a thriving residential community in Larne for many years.

Roy McClean, NIHE Assistant Area Manager for Mid and East Antrim, said the demolition marks both the end of a chapter and the beginning of new opportunities elsewhere in the town.

“It is certainly the end of an era with the demolition of Latharna House but it is also exciting to see thriving communities emerging elsewhere in the town,” he said.

“I worked closely with many tenants who lived there and they were very happy.

“It’s great to see Margaret settled in her new home now, enjoying her beautiful gardens and settling into a new community.”

A changing skyline and changing housing landscape

The removal of Latharna House will dramatically alter Larne’s skyline, ending more than half a century of the tower block dominating views across the town.

For many residents, however, the demolition is likely to stir memories not simply of a building, but of the families, friendships and communities that once filled its corridors and flats with life.