Latharna House demolition to begin as Larne tower faces final chapter

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Roy McClean, NIHE Assistant Area Manager for Mid and East Antrim, pictured outside Latharna House in Larne

Demolition works on one of Larne’s most recognisable landmarks are set to begin within days, bringing the curtain down on a 16-storey tower block that has dominated the town skyline for more than 50 years.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that work to demolish Latharna House will commence later this month after the Northern Ireland Housing Executive finalised a contract for the long-awaited project.

The vacant high-rise building, located in the Riverdale area at the entrance to Larne, has stood empty since the final tenant was rehoused in 2023. Officials say the block has increasingly become a magnet for anti-social behaviour and has deteriorated significantly in recent years.

The demolition marks the final stage in the removal of three NIHE tower blocks from the site, following the earlier demolition of Gardenmore House and Shane House.

End of an era for Larne skyline

Latharna House has been part of Larne’s landscape since the early 1970s and remains one of the town’s most visible residential structures.

While many local residents associate the building with decades of community life, the Housing Executive says the structure is no longer suitable for modern housing needs and its removal is considered a key part of wider regeneration plans for the area.

Minister Lyons said he welcomed the progress towards demolition and acknowledged the building’s place in Larne’s history.

He said:

“I am pleased to confirm that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has appointed a contractor to proceed with the demolition of Latharna House, with works to begin shortly.

“The final remaining tenant of Latharna was successfully rehoused in 2023, and I welcome the recent progress that has brought us to this important milestone.

“I am conscious that the site holds many memories and that Latharna House has been part of the town’s skyline and story for more than half a century.

“However, it has now become an eyesore and attracts anti-social behaviour, so it is important that we look to the future.”

The minister added that he hopes the future redevelopment of the site will benefit nearby residents and the wider community.

52-week demolition programme planned

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive confirmed that contractor B Small Contracts Ltd will formally take control of the site on 18 May 2026, with preparatory work beginning shortly afterwards.

Because of the tower block’s location close to the busy A8 ring road and surrounding homes and buildings, the structure will not be demolished through an explosive collapse.

Instead, contractors will carry out a carefully managed floor-by-floor mechanical deconstruction process designed to minimise risk to nearby infrastructure and residents.

According to the Housing Executive, the demolition programme is expected to take approximately 52 weeks, although timelines could be affected by weather and site conditions.

Paul Isherwood, Director of Asset Management at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, said extensive safety and environmental controls would be introduced before major demolition works begin.

He said:

“Given Latharna House’s proximity to the A8 ring road and nearby properties, a controlled floor-by-floor deconstruction has been agreed as the safest and most appropriate method of demolition.

“It is therefore anticipated that the carefully sequenced works will take approximately 52 weeks to complete, depending on site conditions and weather.

“We want to reassure local residents and businesses that our aim is to keep disruption to a minimum.”

He also urged members of the public to stay away from the site throughout the demolition process and follow all safety guidance issued during the works.

What the demolition works will involve

The project will include several major stages before the site is fully cleared.

These include:

• Installation of measures to protect nearby buildings and infrastructure

• Removal of all internal materials from the tower block

• Mechanical deconstruction of the building structure

• Full site clearance and landscaping works

Once demolition is complete, the site will be transformed into a landscaped area intended for community use and enjoyment by local residents.

Contractor says project will be ‘safe and efficient’

Micheal O’Rourke, Contracts Manager at B Small Contracts Limited, said the company recognised the sensitivity and scale of the project.

He said:

“We are pleased to have been awarded the contract for the demolition of Latharna House in Larne.

“This is a significant and sensitive project, and it will be delivered by a team with extensive experience in the demolition of high-rise tower blocks.

“Our priority will be to carry out the works safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to the local community.”

Latharna House was formally approved for demolition in April 2023 under the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s wider Tower Block Strategy.

With work now ready to begin, the demolition will mark the end of one of Larne’s best-known residential buildings — and the beginning of a major transformation at one of the town’s most prominent gateway sites.