Ealing Council has confirmed when the tower will be demolished (Image: MyLondon)
The iconic tower block from Only Fools and Horses, where Del Boy ‘lived’, has a confirmed demolition date and is set to be replaced by £850m flats.
The famous Nelson Mandela House, one of the most recognisable fictional homes on British television, is actually Harlech Tower located in South Acton Estate, London. It has now confirmed that it is set for demolition in 2027, reports MyLondon.
Harlech Tower, situated in Ealing, served as the exterior for Nelson Mandela House in Peckham and was featured in every episode’s title sequence. It also made an appearance in the 1985 special To Hull and Back.
The three-bedroom flat housed the Trotter family, including Del Boy (Sir David Jason), his younger brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and other relatives throughout the show’s run from 1981 to 2003.
However, Harlech Tower is soon to become a part of history as Ealing Council plans its demolition in three years. Post World War Two, this area of Acton underwent redevelopment with new high-rise estates, reports MyLondon.
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Only Fools and Horses was set in Nelson Mandela House (Image: BBC)
These modern housing schemes were considered luxurious at the time, boasting indoor bathrooms and central heating. Despite taking 30 years to complete, Harlech Tower quickly fell into disrepair – a characteristic that made it the perfect setting for Only Fools and Horses, portraying the home of a working-class family.
Ealing Council have plans in place to replace the aging “shabby” tower blocks with high-quality homes that can accommodate a larger number of residents. A spokesperson from Ealing Council shared insights into the proposed replacement of Harlech Tower and discussed future provisions for social housing in the area.
The spokesperson noted: “In 1949, work began to clear the old housing in South Acton and replace it with a new estate centred on large tower blocks of the kind that sprang up across the country after World War Two. The redevelopment widely considered at the time to be a huge step forward, with indoor bathrooms and central heating took over 30 years to complete.
Harlech tower in London has been described as ‘shabby’ despite being featured on hit comedy Only Fools and Horses (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Sadly, they added: “Unfortunately, it also quickly fell into decline, suffering from the same fundamental design and social issues that blighted many post-war high-rise estates. Harlech Tower was already so shabby by 1981 that it perfectly fitted the bill when BBC producers were casting the down-at-heel Nelson Mandela House for Only Fools and Horses’ opening credits.”
Reflecting on the building’s current state, the spokesperson added: “Although we have worked hard to maintain it, it has not got any better in the 43 years that have since passed.”
Closing their statement, the council spokesperson pointed out: ‘It’s nearly the end of its life expectancy.”
The spokesperson elaborated: “As it is nearing the end of its life expectancy, the South Acton estate is currently undergoing an £850 million rejuvenation to become Acton Gardens, which will eventually provide around 3,500 brand new high-quality, safe, and energy-efficient homes alongside a community hall, youth centre, and other facilities.
“There will be twice as many homes at the rebuilt estate than before the regeneration programme started. More than 40% of all new homes will be genuinely affordable in other words, let at social rent levels. And two thirds of the new homes will be family-sized, replacing the one-bed homes which dominated the old estate.”
The spokesperson confirmed: “The regeneration programme has proved very popular with existing residents the vast majority have exercised their right to request a new home at the redeveloped estate. The decanting of Harlech Tower’s residents so it can be demolished is provisionally earmarked for 2027.”
Sir David Jason, who played Derek Trotter in Only Fools and Horses between 1981 and 2003, reminisced in his 2020 autobiography ‘Del of a Life: The Lessons I’ve Learned’ about the transformation of West London over the years.
The beloved television icon also expressed his “despair” at the proposed demolition of Harlech Tower, advocating for its preservation as a piece of national heritage.
In his book, David reveals: “But in the first instance the Trotters’ high-rise abode was actually, by the magic of television, picture of Harlech Tower in Park Road East in Acton. Imagine by trepidation and despair, then, when I learned that Harlech Tower – the crucible, if you will, of the Only Fools story – was slated for demolition, part of a £650 million rejuvenation of the area.
“Asked to share my opinion of this scheme at the time – the papers coming to me on account, no doubt, of my renowned expertise in matters of urban planning – I said I thought the tower should become a listed building and have a preservation order on it forthwith, effectively saving the building for the nation. Did they listen? Did they heck.”
