The historic chimney at Harrow's former Kodak factory has been restored.

When the former factory at Headstone Drive was demolished to make way for 2,000 new homes, developer Barratt Homes declared it would find a way to retain the chimney as part of the site's history.

The 213 ft tall chimney now stands out after getting a fresh coat of white paint, with red at its tip.

Harrow Times: A look at the former Kodak factory chimney that has been restoredA look at the former Kodak factory chimney that has been restored (Image: Husain Akhtar)

The plant opened in 1891 and was Eastman Kodak’s first manufacturing base outside America.

The factory in Harrow was the largest photographic manufacturing plant in the British Commonwealth and at the height of its output in the 1950s it employed more than 6,000 people.

Now the site holds the Eastman Village development, with work underway on homes for private sale, shared ownership and affordable housing.

Harrow Times: A CGI of Eastman Village, however the chimney has not been retouched in this imageA CGI of Eastman Village, however the chimney has not been retouched in this image (Image: Barratt Developments)

Joe Antoniazzi, head of sales at Barratt West London, said: “Retaining original architecture plays an important role in allowing Barratt London to provide much-needed new housing, while still honouring the history of the site and its legacy in the local area.

"The iconic chimney at Eastman Village will be incorporated into a new building which will become both an energy centre to provide energy efficient heating for the new homes, and a large, flexible community space forming the heart of the development.

“The restoration to the once much-loved local landmark, also includes repainting its façade in white, paying homage to the original Kodak's famous building."

Harrow Times: A picture of the former Kodak factoryA picture of the former Kodak factory (Image: Handout from Barratt Developments)

The Kodak factory provided printing paper for professional and also personal use by amateur photographers.

Kodak has been present in Harrow for more than 120 years, with the factory’s history paralleling much of the history of popular photography itself.

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