This amazing fly-through video shows how Watford town centre could look in 2018 - after a £180 million transformation.

The long awaited Charter Place redevelopment, which is being undertaken by intu, started at the beginning of November 2015.

Once complete, the new building will house up to 16 shops, 10 restaurants and a nine-screen IMAX cinema.

Watford Observer:

Charter Place before it was demolished

A public square will also be created that will host an events programme, including street art and music shows.

The extension project is the largest to have happened at the shopping centre since Charter Place opened in 1976.

READ MORE: New Watford department store planned for Charter Place extension

The site was acquired the site from Watford Borough Council in 2013, after 12 years of misfires.

Capital Shopping Centres was the first company to take up the project that year but was dismissed five years later after the council could not agree any of its plans.

The next developer appointed, London & Regional, pulled out of the scheme in 2011, saying the project was no longer “a core business requirement.”

A third company, Henry Boot, was kicked off the project and paid more than £500,000 compensation in 2012 after Capital Shopping Centres - which rebranded itself to intu in 2013 - indicated it was interested in the scheme again.

READ MORE: Work to start on £100m redevelopment of Charter Place on Monday

In 2014, shops and Watford Market, which were located in Charter Place, were moved out to make way for the 1.4 million sq ft shopping and leisure centre.

Watford Observer:

Debenhams will be coming to Watford

The job was originally estimated at £100m when BAM was lined up as main contractor.

But BAM walked away from the deal after failing to agree a price under a two-stage tender process.

Intu confirmed in a trading update in April that the demolition of the outdated Charter Place was completed by Keltbray ahead of main construction by Laing O’Rourke.

New chains to the town so far include:

  • H&M
  • New Look
  • Debenhams
  • Restaurant chains: Thaikhun, TGI Friday, Cabana, Las Iguanas and Byron and YO! Sushi