(Commonwealth) _Perry Water Tower, an eye-catching architectural gem in Perry, Cambridgeshire, is back on the market through Auction House London. Previously sold by Anglian Water Services in May 2023 for £290,000 nearly tripling its original guide price of £90,000 the tower is now listed with a guide price of £350,000. Situated on 0.32 acres of land, this unique property features an internal spiral staircase illuminated by glass brick windows, granting access to its water tank. Savills, the primary auction agents, lauded it as an uncommon find, an exceptional chance for a visionary buyer. Jeremy Lamb, the auction director at Savills, drew parallels between its potential and the captivating transformations showcased on programs like George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces or Grand Designs. The tower, with its untouched interior, serves as a blank canvas, inviting the new owner to channel their creativity and curate an unparalleled home within this iconic structure. The initial buyer’s aspiration to have Kevin McCloud visit may have faded, but for those seeking a project in 2024, an appealing opportunity awaits.
Erected during the mid-20th century, these water towers stood as pivotal symbols of post-World War II endeavors, serving a fundamental purpose in providing crucial mains water to communities. Their construction marked a significant milestone in the aftermath of the war, embodying the era’s architectural ethos through their distinct cylindrical design upheld by resilient concrete columns. As beacons of the prevalent brutalist architectural style, these towers not only reflected the aesthetics of their time but also carried immense functional significance. They represented more than mere structures; they were integral components in the extensive and essential network of water infrastructure established to meet the burgeoning demands of growing communities, ensuring a reliable and sustained supply of water to households and industries alike. Traditionally, these towers operated on the principle of gravity to ensure a consistent water pressure supply. However, with advancements in technology, particularly the advent of electric pumps, the reliance on gravity-based systems has become outdated. Modern households now primarily rely on electric pumps to fulfill their water pressure needs, rendering the traditional function of these towers obsolete in contemporary water supply systems.
East Anglia’s flat terrain prompted the construction of numerous water towers, with Anglian Water still overseeing 392 towers and storage points today. Savills highlighted recent attention-grabbing water tower transformations. Notably, Grand Designs showcased a Kennington water tower undergoing a £2 million overhaul. Leigh Osborne and Graham Voce purchased the Grade-II listed structure for £380,000, transforming it into a 4,500-square-foot home, complete with a roof terrace. It eventually sold for £2.75 million in 2021, slightly below its £3.6 million asking price. Cromwell Tower in Warwickshire stands out as a remarkable case study. Purchased at auction in 2009 for a nominal £25,000, this structure underwent a striking metamorphosis, evolving into an impressive six-story residence. The transformation included the addition of luxurious features like a home cinema. Its remarkable evolution positioned it on the market with a notable listing price of £1.5 million, showcasing the immense potential and value unlocked through its renovation and redevelopment. Similarly, earlier this year witnessed the astonishing transformation of a Victorian-era brick water tower. This distinctive structure underwent a remarkable conversion, boasting impressive features such as a hydraulic lift and a glazed extension that offered breathtaking views overlooking Woolwich Common. The unique property was listed for sale, presenting an asking price of £2.25 million. This showcase of architectural adaptation underscores the remarkable allure and potential unlocked through the repurposing of such structures, highlighting their inherent value and appeal in the real estate market.
