Southwark Council has started works to dismantle Maydew House, the 26-storey tower block on Bermondsey’s Abbeyfield Estate, which has been vacant for a number of years.
Built 60 years ago, Maydew House was in need of significant safety works with damp, structural issues and cracks identified in the building.
The council had originally planned to refurbish the block and build extra storeys on top to provide more homes, but comprehensive structural studies revealed significant weaknesses in the building which meant it would need to be made safe before residential use could be considered. It also became clear that any refurbishment option would only extend the lifespan of the building for a short time.
These factors, alongside escalating construction costs in recent years saw the estimated costs for these works soar to nearly £70m. As it is also costly to maintain and secure the vacant tower, which dominates the Bermondsey skyline, the council took the decision to dismantle the tower and clear space for new council homes on the estate.
The works to dismantle Maydew House started in November 2024 and are expected to finish in summer 2025. The council is looking at how it can redevelop the site in future as part of its ongoing efforts to provide new homes despite challenging economic conditions.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said “The decision to demolish Maydew House has not been an easy one but it is one that we have had to take given the multiple challenges, including the fire safety and structural integrity of this block.
"Southwark residents deserve energy efficient and high quality homes and today is a significant step, as we move ahead to dismantle the old, empty tower to make space for brand new high-quality homes, including larger family sized homes. The demolition will mark the start of a new chapter for Abbeyfield Estate and we will work with residents to make plans for the space cleared by the derelict building.
“We are exploring how we can deliver future homes here, and we are working closely with the Abbeyfield Estate Resident Steering Group to plan the future of the estate. we will keep local residents up to date as our plans develop. We are also working closely with the Bede Centre, whose base is at the foot of the block, to ensure they can continue their important work with as few interruptions as possible. We continue to work with Bede on longer term options for the centre.”
Southwark Council is one of the largest council homes builders in the country, having built more than 1,700 new council homes and with a further 1,300 under construction.
The council is campaigning for the Future of Council Homes to help ensure that councils across the country can provide more, and better, publicly owned housing. The council’s report on England’s council housing puts forward five solutions and more than 20 recommendations to fix the current unsustainable financial model affecting councils.