A housebuilder has officially launched its £85 million development which is being built on the site of a former laundry factory.

'The Laundry Works' in Sydney Road is a collection of 248 one, two, and three bedroom flats across eight buildings within a tree-lined boulevard.

Weston Homes says all the modern apartments at The Laundry Works feature "stylish and flexible open-plan living spaces" with floor to ceiling windows to flood the apartments with light.

A new showroom pays homage to the site's 105 year history by creating and displaying branded laundry bags.

Watford Observer: The showhouseThe showhouse

The two-and-half acre site was previously home to the Watford Launders & Cleaners, one of the biggest employers in Watford, which was founded in 1907 by John Ross and has significant history.

Watford Observer: The laundry factory before it was demolishedThe laundry factory before it was demolished

The Edwardian factory dealt with domestic laundry for the wealthy residents of Mayfair and Belgravia who didn’t have washing machines and sent their clothes and bed linen to the facility to be washed, dried and pressed.

In the 1920s the factory won the contract to wash and press all the clothes and bed linen at Harrow School, one of the firm’s first commercial contracts.

The laundry factory became "surplus to requirements" when a "super-laundry" opened in Berkshire.

Watford Observer: CGI of Weston Homes' scheme in Sydney RoadCGI of Weston Homes' scheme in Sydney Road

Now, the site features eight distinctive brick façade buildings, ranging in height from three to 13 storeys, with nearly all apartments featuring a private terrace or balcony with floor to ceiling windows.

The development is complete with communal gardens, and parking for around 160 vehicles.

Watford Observer:

Prices at The Laundry Works start from £279,000 for a one bedroom apartment. A total of 26 of the flats have been designated as affordable.

Suzanne Aplin, group sales & marketing director of Weston Homes, said: "The Laundry Works is a great new development built on a plot with such a rich history.

"The development, with its high specification apartments and beautiful communal space, combined with the fantastic local area provides buyers with all they need for a rich and varied lifestyle."

Watford Observer: