After a bumpy start an Ilford development which dominates the borough’s skyline has become a “success story” as residents start to move in, with two thirds of rentals now occupied.

Pioneer Point, in Winston Way, which is made up of 159 one, two and three bedroom apartments in the tallest tower, welcomed its first tenants in February despite setbacks last year.

Hamid Khimani, 30, and his wife, Saima, 28, moved from Kingsley Mews, Ley Street, to the new development earlier this year after “watching it grow from nothing”.

Mr Khimani said: “I have lived in Ilford for around five years. When I heard about the views and the all-inclusive bills package, my wife and I thought it sounded like a great place to live.

“We were one of the first people to move in which was odd at first but now my floor is completely full.”

Mr Khimani, who has an apartment on the 15th floor, said: “My corner flat has 360 degree views which left my friends and family stunned when they first visited. The view is even better at night.”

Empire (SPV) Ltd, a company within the structure of Pioneer Point developers Empire Property Group, went into administration in March last year calling into question the future of the towers.

Mr Khimani added: “I wanted to be higher up, but my wife wasn’t so keen. I have joined the recently opened gym but it would be good if some restaurants were added.

“The worst thing is there are only two lifts, so on a morning you have to wait. I tried the stairs once and nearly fainted.”

Guy Nixon, founder and CEO of Go Native, who run the development, said: “We’re currently running at 65 per cent occupancy.

“We’re actually looking at running a success story as we’ve let two-thirds of the building in just three months, proving that the area and building is in demand.”

The owners are “yet to decide” what to do with the second, smaller, building, and they declined to comment about their plans.

Mr Nixon said the tenant mix is “made up of both corporate and consumer customers”.