A PROPERTY developer has thrown open the doors of the first fully refurbished flat in Delph House, Parkwood Rise.

The iconic Keighley towerblock, along with the neighbouring Leyland House, which dominate the town's skyline, is being redeveloped and renovated to create a total of 190 one and two-bedroom apartments.

Now, a two-bedroom show flat has been completed on the first floor of the property, giving people an idea of what kind of accommodation will be available once the ambitious scheme is finished.

Arran Bailey, who owns the firm ALB Investments, which is spearheading the project, joined staff from Leeds-based contractors headoffice3 and social housing group Incommunities at Delph House on Friday morning to deliver an update on progress.

Head contractor for headoffice3, Glen Harding, said the plan is to have Delph House finished by March 2017 and Leyland House by October that year.

Mr Bailey said some of the planned, renovated and upgraded apartments have already been sold 'off-plan'.

"We're going for a bit of a 'wow factor'," he added. "This is going to be a full, modern refurbishment to attract key workers and professionals.

"Taking on these buildings was daunting. Their external and internal appearance wasn't that great, but you've got to have vision.

"The size of the buildings and the square footage of the flats was a big plus for me."

The prominent 53-year-old tower blocks, which at one point had even been considered for demolition, were previously owned by housing association Incommunities.

They have been empty since their remaining tenants were rehoused. Incommunities has argued that selling off the blocks was the most viable way of giving them a new lease of life.

Jack Trathen, quantity surveyor at headoffice3, said: "We started off with a bit of a blank canvas, but we're three months in now and things are gradually speeding up.

"There are 12 floors and we are working from the top down.

"We're painting the outsides of the buildings to give them a completely new face and to ensure they don't stand out for the wrong reasons."

Mr Harding said: "This hasn't been too complicated, as we're working on something that was originally housing rather than doing a conversion.

"The show flat is 800 square feet, very spacious and has amazing views. The views from the higher floors are even better."

Greg Robinson, assistant chief for resources at Incommunities, who was among those visiting the show flat last week, said: "The quality is superb.

"These flats have always been a good size and they do have spectacular views.

"But the investment needed to improve them to this standard is substantial.

"We sold the flats to the developer and I hope the whole project is a success because it will provide some high quality housing for the district."