California’s historic Water Tower House asks $5.5M

A former water tower-turned-standout seaside retreat is for sale in California.

The 87-foot-high property ranks among the tallest single-family homes in the country. Once an essential pit stop for steam engines, the stilted structure is now a locally beloved landmark and a popular Airbnb rental.

The historic home, located in the small gated community of Surfside, is up for grabs asking $5.5 million, SFGate reported.

The seaside home is possibly the second-tallest single-family residence in the US, but it’s certainly surpassed by the 124-foot Falcon Nest in Prescott, Arizona.

The octagonal abode spans 2,828 square feet — more than double the size of the lot below. The recent listing advertises four bedrooms, four bathrooms and an unbeatable 360-degree views.

The original Sunset Beach tower was constructed in the late 1800s to provide water to steam engines traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Modernization eventually made the tower obsolete, however, and by the 1970s the once-vital structure had become a termite-infested, graffiti-covered eye sore.

The city of Seal Beach voted to demolish the property in 1980, but a local math professor swooped in to save it, according to the Daily Pilot. By 1985, the tower was transformed into a fully functional residence. 

The Water Tower House last changed hands to a historic preservationist in 2022 for $4.5 million, the outlet previously reported. It currently functions as a highly rated Airbnb, where a five-night stay costs just over $5,000.

The home spans four stories. An elevator links the ground floor to the lofty main quarters; a spiraling staircase connects the upper levels.

A foyer on the ground floor includes a cascading water feature — an homage to the tower’s former life — and wall decor consisting of vintage tools unearthed in the 1940s.

The upper stories host a modern kitchen and three of the home’s four bedrooms. A wraparound deck is home to the local community’s live-streamed surf cam to monitor the nearby waves. The top-most floor is encircled by windows and topped with a stained-glass cupola. 

Whimsical attractions throughout the rental include a model train that weaves through the redwood rafters, a pirate-themed bedroom and a ground-floor guest room hidden behind a bookshelf.

The lofty life offered by the Water Tower House is balanced out by practical amenities, including a laundry room and a garage.