Every home at a major development being built in Watford will only be available to be rented with the developer intending to bring some of its American roots to the town.

Anyone who has travelled through west Watford or via Croxley Green within the last year will have spotted a huge new tower that has been constructed.

Standing at 24 storeys high, it has become far and away Watford's tallest building - although that record is on course to be beaten in the coming years.

It's part of a 485-home scheme near Morrisons in Ascot Road, and it is the work of American-based developer Cortland, which specialises in apartment living.

Watford Observer: The Ascot Road development. Pictured in late 2021. Credit: Cortland The Ascot Road development. Pictured in late 2021. Credit: Cortland (Image: Cortland)

Its project in Watford - Cortland Cassiobury - is known as a 'build-to-rent' scheme which means every single property is exclusively for rent - none of the homes are available to buy outright.

A studio flat will be available for £1,250 per calendar month (pcm) with one-beds for £1,525pcm, two-beds from £1,795pcm, and three-beds from £1,995pcm, Cortland says.

The scheme includes 119 homes designated as affordable which will be managed by a housing provider. The rent for those properties will be set by the provider.

Watford Observer: A showhome of a flat at Cortland Cassiobury. Credit: CortlandA showhome of a flat at Cortland Cassiobury. Credit: Cortland

Cortland says it prides itself on its "resident living experience" with access to a fitness centre, cinema room, club lounge, business suite, and other communal areas included in the rent. Outside, there is a dedicated BBQ area as well as a dog park.

All of these spaces are being incorporated within the new development which received planning permission from Watford Borough Council in 2017.

Watford Observer: A view over Watford from the top of the 24 storey tower. Credit: Cortland A view over Watford from the top of the 24 storey tower. Credit: Cortland

Owain Thomas, who is senior director of development for Cortland in Europe, said: "Our residents are at the centre of everything we do, from the programmes we offer to the finishes we place in our homes

"Build-to-rent is becoming a much more popular housing option in the UK. Unlike private landlords, taking care of our apartments and our residents is not just a priority – it’s our job.

"At Cortland, our apartments, amenities, buildings, and communities are designed to cater to the resident and to stand the test of time, and our focus on the resident is unmatched.

"Cortland is the number 1 in customer reputation in the US apartment rental industry, and we are thrilled to bring that level of service to the UK."

Watford will be Cortland's first completed residential scheme. Mr Thomas said it was chosen for its "brilliant connectivity, excellent schools, host of new businesses that are opening, and acres of parks and greenspace", as well as its proximity to London.

Cortland doesn't appear to have been put off by the scrapping of the Met Line extension, which was supposed to see a new station built serving the community. Although there are proposals in the pipeline to reignite a public transport scheme in this part of town.

Watford Observer: The development pictured this week under constructionThe development pictured this week under construction

The developer says its first phase should be completed this spring - 52 homes in one of the smaller blocks ranging from six to ten storeys. Cortland hopes the entire scheme will be done by the end of 2022 with tenants moving in as the year progresses.

Mr Thomas added: "Residents of Cortland Cassiobury will be the first in the UK to enjoy the Cortland experience – the very best in American customer service. Cortland Cassiobury is providing better living to our residents on every level."