Originally scheduled for demolition in July 2002, along with Drake House and the two Milldane blocks, however it won a reprieve, because of the mobile phone masts atop the building having to be resat, despite no arrangements to move the phone masts elswheee. The block stood empty for 2 years, attracting notoriety in the local papers.[1] as vandals through objects out of 22 floor windows and the block being set on fire. Vernon House was finally demolished on Sunday 27th June 2004. Vernon House is the template for the fictional 'Hopewell House' of Iain Brimswall's novel 'The Zookeeper'.