The demolition of an iconic Southampton building derided by some as an eyesore is set to begin this week.

More than three years after the signing of its death warrant, the University of Southampton’s Faraday Tower will now begin to be dismantled.

It was built in the early 1960s to house its engineering department, and is known for its Brutalist design, with foundations much narrower than its upper floors.

It has been vacant since demolition plans were first approved in January 2021, but preparatory works did not begin until mid-2023.

The University’s Head of Estates and Facilities Kevin Argent said they had to “overcome some significant challenges on the site relating to existing underground infrastructure".

"I would like to thank everyone located on the western side of Highfield Campus for their ongoing patience and support," he said.

The University said that “the tower will be carefully and safely demolished over several months" and "throughout this time, disruption relating to noise, vibration and dust will be mitigated and monitored".

Public opinion on the demolition of the tower is divided.

Paul Martin is a former Electronic Engineering student at the University and was taught in the building.

He said: “In my opinion it was ugly and dated even in the early 90s when I was a student. After 60 years, the university needs something better.”

Two current third year students told the Echo that while the building was "not very pretty”, they will miss the building due to its uniqueness.

A local whose house overlooks the tower, who spoke to The Echo but did not want to be named, said that she had lived there all her life.

She was ambivalent towards the buildings’ demolition, adding: "Since it’s had the scaffolding up and it hasn’t been used, there’s been no reason for it to be there."

The building was the creation of Scottish architect Basil Spence, and by the end of the 1960s it housed the first professional-standard clean room in any university in the country, enabling it to process silicon technology.

According to the university, the Electrical Engineering Department originally wanted it named the Maxwell Building in honour of James Clerk Maxwell, father of the theory of electromagnetism.

But this name was vetoed by the Dean, who worried people would think the University was linked with controversial publisher Robert Maxwell. Famed scientist Michael Faraday was seen as a safer bet.