Demolition begins on 'Brighton's ugliest building', Anston House in Preston Road

Video taken this morning shows parts of Anston House in Preston Road crumbling to the ground as the building is torn down.

Built in the 1960s, the derelict block, dubbed Brighton's ugliest and described by one councillor as “a blot on the landscape” has been abandoned for more than 30 years, since 1987.

READ MORE: City's 'ugliest building' Anston House to be replaced

Anston House has been dubbed 'Brighton's ugliest building'

The site, owned by First Base and Hyde Housing Group, is set to be redeveloped into 229 new homes in three tower blocks, in a "build to rent" scheme, and planning permission was granted last year.

READ MORE: Looking back: Anston House – abandoned and ugly

Of the 229 flats, 30 will be classed as affordable one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes, and there will also be a communal work space on the ground floor, and landscaped areas with new trees.

An artist's impression of what the new development will look like, from the view of Preston Park. Credit: First Base

Brighton architects Conran and Partners, who have designed the new blocks of flats, said the development will "will provide much needed new, contemporary homes and work space within the city".

William Shaw, who lives nearby and captured the video today, said: "Local residents are all really happy to see the back of Anston House I suspect."