A water tower is an elevated structure supporting a watertank constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a water supply system for the distribution of potable water. Many water towers were constructed during the Industrial Revolution; some are now considered architectural landmarks and monuments, and may not be demolished. Some are converted to apartments or exclusive penthouses. 1. House in the Clouds, UK link The House in the Clouds is a water tower at Thorpeness, Suffolk, UK. It was built in 1923 to receive water pumped from Thorpeness Windmill and was designed to improve the looks of the water tower, disguising its tank with the appearance of a weatherboarded building more in keeping with Thorpeness's mock-Tudor and Jacobean style, except seeming to float above the trees. link In 1977 the water tower was made redundant by a mains water supply to the village, and additional living space was created. In 1979 the main water tank was removed to fully convert the building into a house. The building currently has five bedrooms and three bathrooms; it contains a total of 68 steps from top to bottom and is around 70ft (21m) high. [link, map] 2. Midrand Water Tower, South Africa link At 6.5 megalitres it is the largest water tower in the southern hemisphere. Created of post-tensioned concrete, the cone on a 23 ft. (4 m.) diameter stem with a 33 ft. (10 m.) cube mass concrete base. link The cone meets the stem at the surface of a pond, giving a floating effect to the massive concrete form. A spiral staircase runs up the centre like a straw in a glass. Provisions were made for a revolving restaurant at the top of the tower. [link] 3. Old Water Tower in Landskrona, Sweden link The Old Water Tower lies at the highest point in the town and is a key local landmark. The attractive red brick building was designed by the architect Fredrik Sundbärg. It was completed in 1903. link The water tower was in full operation by 1904, ensuring that Landskrona received a pressurised water supply for the the first time in its history. [link, map] 4. Ciechanow Water Tower, Poland link The Ciechanow Water Tower in Poland is a hyperboloid structure, using hyperboloid geometry which maximizes structural strength with a minimum of material. The Ciechanow Water Tower was built in 1972 by Jerzy Michal Boguslawsk. There are plans to open a restaurant and observation platform at the top of the tower, but the object is currently out of use. [link] 5. Palić Water Tower, Serbia link This beautiful water tower is located in the town of Palic and close to the lake of the same name. link Precisely, Water Tower is in the Great park ( between lake and town) which represents a unique ambient, where natural values and architectural heritage make an overall harmony. link The Water Tower, now the symbol of Palic, was built at the beginning of the 20th century as a multipurpose facility: a water tower, gate of the resort and a tram station. This building was designed in Hungarian art nouveau style. [map] 6. Huntington Beach Water Tower, USA link This Californian water tower was built in the 19th century to provide water for steam engines. It operated all the way until 1974, and in the 80s it was converted to a home by removing the tank, converting it at ground level and then lifting it back up into place. link It has served as a family home at times since then, but mostly it has been an opulent vacation rental. Visitors travel up four stories on the elevator to reach the three-story living space, then get to enjoy unprecedented views of several beaches, the San Bernadino Mountains and the surrounding cities. The tower stands 87 feet (27m) tall, on 21 wooden legs reinforced with steel at the joints, and is 30 feet (9m) in diameter. [link] 7. Haukilahti Water Tower, Finland link The Haukilahti water tower is located in Haukilahti in southern Espoo, Finland. The water tower was built in 1968 and owned by the Espoo waterworks. The diameter of the tower is 45.3 m (149 ft) and its volume is 4000 m³ (5,230 yds³). The height of the tower is 45.3 m (149 ft) and from sea level 76.3 m (250 ft). link In the top part of the water tower is a restaurant called Haikaranpesä ("Stork's nest"). It is a very popular restaurant and many businessmen and tourists go there to eat. [link, map] 8. North Point Water Tower, USA link The North Point Water Tower is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This 175 ft (53m) Victorian Gothic Building, designed by Charles A. Gombert and made of cut Niagara limestone from Wauwatosa, houses a circular wrought iron standpipe 120 feet (37m) high and four feet in diameter. [link, map] 9. Rostock Water Tower, Germany link Here stand since 1903 a water tower made of bricks in pattern style with seven stepped gables and blind windows, all rest on a base of granite. It is 60 meter (197 ft) high building, with a diameter of 18 meters (59 ft) in the base. link The tower is out of service since 1959. After a restoration the tower is now a historic building and house a city museum warehouse, and in the ground floor also a meeting-place for children and disables. [link, map] 10. Compton Hill Water Tower, USA link The Compton Hill Water Tower is located in St. Louis. The 179-foot (55 m) tower was built to disguise a 6-foot (1.8 m) diameter, 130-foot (40 m) tall standpipe in its interior. Occasionally, the observation deck at the top of the water tower is opened to the public, allowing visitors to see 360-degree panoramic views of the city. The Compton Hill Water Tower was declared a city landmark in 1966 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. [link, map] 11. Garching Water Tower, Germany link The water tower (located in Garching near Munich), with a quadratic base on 5,4 meter (18m), was built in reinforced concrete. This building is 26 meters (85 ft) high. The architect is unknown, and the tower was designed in 1909 and was finished in December 1911. link Water tower is out of service since 1961. The building is protected since 1981 as an industrial heritage, and was restored in 1988. [link] 12. Svaneke Water Tower, Danmark link The Svaneke Water Tower in the small town of Svaneke on the Danish island of Bornholm was designed by award-winning architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1952. It was the first successful project of the architect who would later design the Sydney Opera House. The surprisingly shaped water tower was inspired by the old sea marks used for assisting the navigation of ships at sea. link The pyramidal water tank is supported by three slender ferro-concrete legs which meet at the top of the tower. The centrally placed steps, also made of concrete, wind up elegantly from the ground. The water tower was taken out of service in 1988 when alterations to the water supply system were introduced. Since 1990, it has been a listed building (by Heritage Agency of Denmark). [link, map] 13. Wrocław Water Tower, Poland link This historic Wrocław water tower is situated in Borek, the district of Krzyki that is the southern borough of Wrocław, Poland. The water tower in Wrocław was designed by Karl Klimm, a reputed local architect. link The tower is 63 meters (207 ft) high. It was equipped with an electric lift from the very beginning. From June 1906 the lift allowed people to reach an observation deck situated at a height of 42 meters (138 ft), from which one could admire the vista of Wrocław and its surroundings. In 1995 the tower was purchased from the city by the Stephan Elektronik Investment Company. The building was rejuvenated and started its new life as a stylish restaurant complex. [link, map] 14. Kizuminami Water Tower, Japan link Built in 1999 at Kizu, south of Kyoto, this 129-foot-high water tower (47 meters) holds enough water to supply 16,000 people. The cylindrical design draws its inspiration from bamboo, which is extremely common in the region. [link]