It’s been a long wait – moving in day finally arrives

The Panorama flats welcome first residents

At last – residents have finally moved into The Panorama in Ashford.

Two flats on the fourth floor of the nine-storey building in Park Street are now occupied.

Steve Salter, author and photographer, visited the renovated former office block yesterday (Wednesday) and spoke to the new inhabitants.

Mr Salter, from Kennington, said: “I spoke to one lady who has moved in. She said it’s very comfortable and nicely finished.

“It is early days but she said it feels homely.”

It is not known when the other newcomers will be moving into the property, formerly known as Charter House.

Work on the ground floor gym, owned by Anytime Fitness, is nearly complete and the office space, which will be occupied by Regus, is expected to be finished in March.

Mr Salter said the lifts in the building are all working, and that the concierge area near the entrance is also finished.

The rooftop garden is still being developed, but is ready for planting and seeding, and the car park is open.

Some areas of the building, however, are still waiting for finishing touches.

Work on the massive develop- ment started in 2013, following the purchase of the empty building by developers Dukelease Properties, based in London.

Contractors have spent nearly three years transforming the site into 234 flats.

The discovery of asbestos in 2014 caused delays, and previous completion dates included August 2014, and then January and April 2015, and October 2015.

It was then announced late last year that the building would be ready for occupancy in February 2016.

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Steve Salter explored The Panorama building and took these photographs, as the first residents moved in to their flats