Water tower home with panoramic views of Southern California hits market for $5M

A one-of-a-kind home inside a converted water tower hoisted 87 feet in the air has hit the market for $5million – a price that may be worth a lifetime of conversation starters alone. 

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom pad located at 1 Anderson Street in Seal Beach, California, was listed on Zillow on Wednesday and has already garnered 34,000 views thanks to its unique construction – atop a wooden structure originally built in the 1800s.   

The breathtaking property sits at the corner of a residential area facing the busy Pacific Coast Highway – only 50 yards away from the coast.

It features stunning 360-degree views of the Pacific as well as other impressive amenities – including a hot tub, a wrap-around deck to watch the sunrise and a plaque noting its impressive history.  

This one-of-a-kind home inside a converted water tower in Seal Beach, California, went on the market for $4.95million

The breathtaking property sits at the corner of a residential area facing the busy Pacific Coast Highway - only 50 yards away from the coast - and features stunning 360-degree views of the Pacific

The breathtaking property sits at the corner of a residential area facing the busy Pacific Coast Highway – only 50 yards away from the coast – and features stunning 360-degree views of the Pacific

The 87-foot-tall, multi-level residence borders Sunset Beach and Seal Beach in Orange County

The 87-foot-tall, multi-level residence borders Sunset Beach and Seal Beach in Orange County

The renovated home was originally built in 1984 atop a structure that dates back to the late 19th century

The renovated home was originally built in 1984 atop a structure that dates back to the late 19th century

A panoramic deck perfect for a Fourth of July fireworks show surrounds the home, which was built to replicate the original tank that once held 300 tons of water

A panoramic deck perfect for a Fourth of July fireworks show surrounds the home, which was built to replicate the original tank that once held 300 tons of water

The property was last sold in 2016 for $1.5 million and underwent extensive renovations before being put up for sale again this week.  

The Douglas fir and redwood structure was originally built in 1892 to service steam engines that traveled the California coast. 

In the 1940s, it supported a 75,000-gallon tank that held 300 tons of water, according to the tourism website for Huntington Beach, California. 

The Seal Beach home has a 'retro-style ambiance,' according to the tourism site of nearby Huntington Beach

The Seal Beach home has a ‘retro-style ambiance,’ according to the tourism site of nearby Huntington Beach

With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, this 2,800-square-foot home has more than enough space for the family

With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, this 2,800-square-foot home has more than enough space for the family

Each of the four bedrooms has its own unique view looking out on the Southern California coastline

Each of the four bedrooms has its own unique view looking out on the Southern California coastline

The wooden tank functioned until 1975, according to the Orange County Register. 

It sat abandoned – and was almost bulldozed – until a local movement saved the landmark in the 1980s. 

Long Beach City College professor George Armstrong and Dr. Robert O’Dell, MD took over and added the 2,800-square-foot home. 

The tank was removed and ‘a three-story house that replicated the look of the tank was built on the ground before being hoisted by crane into place in 1984’.

It was then sold to retired Los Angeles Fire Capt. Gerald Wallace, according to the Seal Beach Sun.

In 2016, real estate developers Scott Oslund and Barret Woods renovated the home and promoted it on rental website VRBO as ‘the world’s ultimate beach house.’

The structure is seen in 1966 when it was used as a water tower holding 300 gallons

The structure is seen in 1966 when it was used as a water tower holding 300 gallons 

A plaque on the property lists the home as a 'historic landmark' that was 'meticulously restored' in 2016 and 2017

A plaque on the property lists the home as a ‘historic landmark’ that was ‘meticulously restored’ in 2016 and 2017

An elevator takes guests up to a second floor deck with a jacuzzi and sitting area 'perfect for watching the sunrise'

An elevator takes guests up to a second floor deck with a jacuzzi and sitting area ‘perfect for watching the sunrise’

 ‘We’ve done a lot, including fixing the balcony and replacing a lot of rotten boards,’ Woods said at the time. ‘There’s been painting and varnishing; we’re still fixing light switches and getting new appliances.’

The home was listed by Oslund, who is the senior vice president of real estate firm Lee & Associates. 

‘Once entering the home, a skylights will guide you past a water fountain to a bedroom with loft, a dedicated washroom and the Barrels and Burlap bathroom which pays tribute to the homes origin,’ according to the home’s listing on Zillow. ‘The first stop on the elevator goes is the second floor deck with a jacuzzi and seating area perfect for watching the sunrise with coffee or at sunset with a glass of wine.’

The property features an attached parking garage with three covered spaces.

It boasts a ‘retro-style ambiance’ with a stained glass copula in the rotunda living room.

‘Modern amenities include HD televisions with Direct TV, fine linens, updated bathrooms and a fully-stocked kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and cookware,’ according to Huntington Beach.

Alas, the home is listed as having no ‘cooling features,’ so prospective owners will have to brave those dry California summers with the help of the Pacific Ocean breeze. 

At 87 feet above ground, the impressive property dwarfs homes around it with eye-popping views

At 87 feet above ground, the impressive property dwarfs homes around it with eye-popping views