Today’s real estate industry has grown to not only include single family homes, multifamily homes, and condos… but also some unique living quarters that nobody could have imagined decades ago.
Living near the water is obviously a huge draw for those who purchase homes on Sanibel and Captiva. There are even a few who live on the water, living aboard their boats. But how would you like to live in a water tower??
Okay, so there’s not one for sale here on the islands, but we came across a few unusual abodes… or compelling dwellings if you will that we thought would be fun to share.
The PHC Water Tower, Sunset Beach, California
This historic landmark once held 75,000 gallons of water, in the late 1800’s, when it serviced the steam engines that traveled the California Coast. When it’s replacement was built in 1940, the tower sat empty for more than 40 years before a pair of investors saved the tower from destruction and converted it into a fun-living abode. Over the past year, the residence has undergone major restoration and now serves as a vacation rental home in Sunset Beach.
Click here to check it out.
The Tank House, New York
Another iconic water tower home stands near the Manhattan skyline. Owners of an apartment below the tower, purchased the water tank an converted it into a chic rooftop villa. Accessed by a spiral staircase from inside the lower apartment, the tank includes 24-ft ceilings, heating and air conditioning and tall windows that overlook the city. The architect even included a unique skylight whole that diffuses daylight into the space.
Click here to learn more about the property.
The Chateau D’Eau, Belgium
This international beauty was built in 1940, and used for water storage until the early 1990s. After sitting unused for a number of years, it was commissioned as a historic landmark designation, which ordered it to remain standing. In 2008, a design studio acquired the project, transforming the tower into an amazing single-family home, complete with modern fixtures and furnishings a fantastic breathtaking panoramic rooftop. Today, the space is mainly used as an rental room for meetings and special events.
Click here to see more.
Now that you’re ready to drop everything and move into a water tower… I should break the bad news that I don’t believe there will be any water tower homes available in Southwest Florida anytime soon. On second thought, the water tower on Cabbage Key might make an awesome 1-bedroom vacation rental! What do you think? 🙂
