A property in East Ham, London, long considered the city's 'ugliest home' and likened to Alcatraz prison, is set to be transformed after being sold to an investment company. The house, located on Charlemont Road, has remained untouched since its owner, musician Morris Ammar, passed away. Drivers and pedestrians have long been accustomed to the sight of the property, surrounded by rusting steel fencing and razor wire, with its bricked-up shop front.
Empty Property Hunters, a company specializing in revitalizing abandoned homes, has purchased the property. Simon Taylor, the company's founder, has been investigating the building's history. He stated that the property was converted from a corner shop to a residential space in 1979 and served as a recording studio for its owner, Morris Ammar, who lived in the flat above.
Neighbors recall Ammar as a friendly musician who occasionally appeared on television and collaborated with notable artists. Tina Mehmet, a resident since 1981, remembers the property as a fully functioning music studio around 30 years ago and even possesses one of Ammar's records, titled 'Lovers Rock.'
Inside, the house appears preserved as it was left, filled with boxes, leftover food, and musical equipment. The kitchen shows signs of being abandoned mid-task, with a vintage oven, pans on the hob, peeling wallpaper, and yellow fly traps still affixed to cupboard doors. Piles of magazines, books, and empty crisp and water cartons are also visible throughout the property.
Morris Ammar died in December 2024. His partner remained at the property until March 2025, after which it remained vacant. Taylor indicated that the company plans to restore the house into a family home, potentially with four or five bedrooms. A primary challenge will be obtaining planning permission to remove the brick wall at the front of the property.
Empty Property Hunters uses public tips to find abandoned homes, offering a reward to tipsters. The company tracks down properties that have been empty for at least 12 months and are privately owned.