Listing of the Day
Location: Kennington, London, U.K.
Price: £3.6 million (US$4.96 million)
This former Victorian water tower in the London borough of Lambeth has been turned into an architecturally impressive single-family home. The transformation of the Grade II-listed structure, built in 1877, was documented on the U.K. TV show "Grand Designs" in 2012.
The original property, described by host Kevin McCloud as a "crumbling giant of Victorian engineering," was purchased for £380,000, according to the program, and the owners spent "millions" during the nine-month renovation to transform the existing building and incorporate modern additions.
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"When I saw the potential I just had to buy it and it’s been the home of a lifetime that I’ll never forget," owner Leigh Osborne said. "To wake up every day in such a unique space is a privilege. You feel like a more interesting person just by owning it."
"This is a wonderful opportunity for someone on the hunt for a one off, architecturally unique property within the Kennington area," listing agent Chris Sellwood said. "With superb light and views across London’s famous skyline, this property truly offers something uncommon and exclusive to the market."
Stats
The eight-story tower spans 4,400 square feet. There are five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
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Amenities
The original 38,000-gallon cast-iron water tank at the top of the structure forms one of the home’s two reception rooms and has 360-degree views across the city.
One of the new additions was an elevator tower, which also houses the property’s bathrooms. The other contemporary extension is a four-story glass-fronted cube that houses the kitchen, dining and lower reception areas.
Talking Point
When it was in operation, the water tower, supplied water to the nearby Lambeth Workhouse, where a young Charlie Chaplin lived with his mother.
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Neighborhood Notes
The tower is in Kennington, in the London borough of Lambeth. Westminster, Waterloo and Central London are all close by, as is London’s largest cricket ground, The Oval. Kennington is also home to the Imperial War Museum and Grade II-listed Kennington Park.
Agent: Chris Sellwood, Foxtons
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