The iconic 16-storey Latharna House in Larne is set to be demolished, with work beginning later this month. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that a contractor is now in place to remove the building, which has been a prominent fixture of the local skyline since the early 1970s.

The tower block is currently empty, following the successful rehousing of its final resident in 2023. Its removal marks the end of an era for the Riverdale area, as it is the last of three Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) high-rise flats in the vicinity to be taken down.

Minister Lyons 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 demolition of Latharna House marks another positive step forward for Larne, and I look forward to seeing how the future site is remodelled by the Housing Executive for the benefit of nearby residents and the local community."

The NIHE has appointed B Small Contracts to carry out the work. Due to the building's height and its proximity to the A8 ring road, the demolition will not involve a single explosion. Instead, engineers will use a controlled, floor-by-floor deconstruction method to ensure maximum safety for surrounding homes and businesses. It is estimated that the project will take approximately 52 weeks to complete, with the timeline subject to weather conditions.

Paul Isherwood, Director of Asset Management in NIHE, said: "It is encouraging to see the demolition of Latharna House progress with the appointment of B Small Contracts. In the next few weeks, they will begin putting safety controls and environmental measures in place to begin their work.

"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.

"It is vitally important that everyone in the local vicinity follows any safety advice around the site and residents and members of the public should not access the site at any time. We are grateful for the local community's patience during the demolition process."

Micheal O'Rourke, Contracts Manager at B Small Contracts Limited, added: "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. We will work closely with the client and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the demolition is completed to the highest standards, while fully complying with environmental, health and safety requirements"