Brutalist Norwich building demolished for 1,100 new homes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 09:02 · Archive

Sovereign House, a seven-storey brutalist office block in Norwich, is being torn down as part of a redevelopment at Anglia Square.

Demolition work is underway at Sovereign House in Norwich, a seven-storey brutalist office block that once housed Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The building is being torn down as the final prominent structure at the Anglia Square site, following the clearance of a 1960s shopping centre, multi-storey car park and former Hollywood Cinema. The project will eventually make way for 1,100 new homes.

Demolition began in November 2025 and is expected to take six months to complete. A giant demolition machine nicknamed 'Big Kee' has been taking down large sections of the building, attracting crowds of spectators. Construction is due to start in spring 2026.

The scheme, which has been two decades in the making, was made possible through Homes England funding and an investment from Aviva Capital Partners, the insurance firm's specialist unit for urban regeneration projects. Eastern Demolition is undertaking the work in partnership with DSM Contractors, which is overseeing the overall project. While many people have fond memories of the area, there is broad agreement that the site needs regeneration.

How it is being reported

• Watch huge machine tear down Brutalist landmark at Anglia SquareSovereign House in Norwich, a brutalist office block once likened to a spaceship, is now being torn down as part of a major city centre redevelopment.Eastern Daily Press · 15 Oct, 08:50
• Watch huge machine tear down Brutalist landmark at Anglia SquareSovereign House in Norwich, a brutalist office block once likened to a spaceship, is now being torn down as part of a major city centre redevelopment.Norwich Evening News · 15 Oct, 08:50

In this story: Sovereign House · Norwich · Anglia Square · Eastern Demolition · DSM Contractors · Homes England · Aviva Capital Partners

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