McAleer & Rushe has been selected to complete demolition work on a building in Lambeth and to develop over 70 new homes on the site.

Muse Developments appointed the company to demolish the Olive Morris House building and to deliver 74 new homes. A new modern archive for residents will also be built.

The final stages of the demolition are targeted for completion by the end of the year with new building being fully completed in late 2022.

Lambeth's Archives collection documents 1,000 years of the area's local history as well as holding 500 years' worth of records of Lambeth as a local authority, including collections of national significance and a rich local studies collection. The current provision of this collection at the Minet Library has been on site since 1890, but the building has a number of limitations and it is no longer fit for purpose.

In partnership with the London Borough of Lambeth, this is the final phase of the Your New Town Hall project. To date the team has fully refurbished the Grade II listed town hall, delivered a new 120,000 sq ft civic building for the borough, 120 new homes (40% affordable) and commercial / retail space in the refurbished Ivor House, and newly built Somerset Place / Maugham House.


Development director at Muse Developments, James Stockdale, said: "It's a proud moment for everyone involved in the Your New Town Hall regeneration, as we start on site with the final phase of the scheme, which will deliver 40% of the total number being much-needed affordable homes.

"Our strong partnership with London Borough of Lambeth highlights what can be achieved when you work together with a shared vision and a collaborative approach. We believe that we have transformed and repurposed key buildings and sites in the centre of Brixton into a new vibrant mixed-use community."

Cllr Matthew Bennett, cabinet member for planning, investment and new homes, said: "Your New Town Hall has already delivered enormous benefits for the people of Lambeth, with over a hundred homes built to date. The redevelopment of Olive Morris House will deliver even more homes, and it will also provide a new home for Lambeth’s historic and treasured archive.

"I'm delighted that we’re now taking the final steps to completing a successful project that has seen the council move from 14 office buildings into just two, saving the council at least £4.5 million a year in running costs and creating 200 homes in central Brixton - almost half of them affordable - with 55 homes for social rent for local families."

Jonathan O'Neill, Contracts Director at McAleer & Rushe, said: "It is our pleasure to commence work on Olive Morris House as the final piece of the significant Your New Town Hall regeneration and create much-needed homes in central Brixton. This is our second project with Muse Developments and the successful close-working relationship has enabled us to mobilise quickly on site and establish a collaborative approach between all stakeholders. We look forward to integrating ourselves in the community and working closely with London Borough of Lambeths, local residents and Brixton's business network to bring forward this meaningful building to the area."