Our Reading building surveyors come across some beautiful period homes, but this one was extra special.
A unique home to survey
The striking appearance of this property, with its magnificent turret, is thanks to its origins as a water tower. Originally built in 1902 to store water for a neighbouring home, it has since been extended and converted into a residence.
The original rooms are completely charming, with characteristic rounded walls. Downstairs, the water tower space is used as a dining room. A spiral staircase leads up to a circular bedroom, and further up, to a study space.
Whilst being extremely attractive, the living space afforded by the original tower is fairly small, so front and rear extensions have been added, providing a kitchen, hall, sitting room, garden room and boot room downstairs, along with a bathroom and an additional bedroom upstairs.
Converting water towers into family homes
The home we surveyed, near Henley-on-Thames, was certainly unique in appearance, but it is not the only water tower in the country that’s now being used as a family home.
Grand Designs famously featured a couple who bought a water tower in south London for £380K back in 2011 and spent £2 million converting it into a beautiful home. Once an empty shell housing only the local pigeon population, it is now a 4-bed luxury property, complete with a rooftop hot tub, and panoramic London views from some of the largest windows in any residential property in Europe!
Elsewhere, in Kenilworth, near our Leamington Spa surveyors, there is a stunning white water tower conversion. This building dates back to the 1700s when it was built as a windmill. It was converted into a water tower in the 1800s, before finding new life as a home in the 20th century.
Another striking example that our Huddersfield surveyors know well is in Flockton. Bought by a couple from Holmfirth for around £110K, this conversion was more wallet-friendly than the Grand Designs example, costing around £250K. The property is now a holiday let, with 360-degree views, open-plan living areas and four en-suite bedrooms.
