What was once a disused Victorian water tower in the English village of Lymm has become one of the area’s most unusual homes. Bought by a couple for £138,000 in 1997, the 19th-century structure underwent a seven-year transformation into a futuristic family residence. Nearly three decades after the purchase, the property is back on the market with an asking price exceeding £3 million. According to a September 21, 2026 report by Secret Manchester, the Grade II-listed Lymm Water Tower combines its historic octagonal structure with contemporary living spaces, a rooftop hot tub and even a private cinema. The property, which previously appeared on Channel 4’s Grand Designs, also comes with an unusual financial advantage: telecommunications equipment installed in its upper section generates approximately £75,000 a year in rental income.
A forgotten landmark that became a family home
The story of Lymm Water Tower began long before its luxury makeover. Built around 1870, the 90-foot-tall structure was originally part of the area’s water supply infrastructure. By the time Russell and Jannette Harris purchased it in 1997, the tower had fallen into disuse.Russell, a former television presenter and producer, had admired the building for years before deciding to buy it. However, turning a Victorian water tower into a comfortable family home proved far more complicated than the couple initially imagined.According to The Times, the renovation involved architect Julian Baker of Ellis Williams Architects and took seven years to complete. The project, initially budgeted at £150,000, eventually cost approximately £830,000. Work began in 2002, and the family moved into their new home in the summer of 2004. Rather than demolishing the historic structure or concealing its unusual shape, the architects designed a sweeping modern extension around the original octagonal tower. The result was a striking contrast between Victorian stonework and contemporary glass, steel and minimalist interiors.
Inside the five-bedroom property
Spread across 6,127 square feet, the house has five bedrooms, four bathrooms and several spaces designed for both family life and entertaining. The main living area is arranged across different levels, allowing the kitchen, dining and sitting spaces to remain connected without losing their individual character. Large glass panels bring natural light into the rooms and open up views of the surrounding countryside.The principal bedroom occupies a double-height space with a mezzanine bathroom. Elsewhere, the house includes a winter lounge, a dedicated home office, a cinema room, a gym and a sauna. One of the property’s most memorable features is its rooftop garden, positioned approximately 80 feet above ground. An eight-person teak hot tub sits at the top, offering panoramic views stretching across Cheshire towards Manchester, Liverpool, North Wales and the Peak District.The outdoor areas are equally carefully planned. Landscaped gardens surround the building, while a Japanese koi pond sits beside a breakfast terrace positioned to catch the morning sun. A separate rear terrace overlooks open countryside.
An award-winning transformation
The restoration did more than create an unusual family residence. It also attracted attention from the architectural world. Lymm Water Tower received several honours, including a Royal Institute of British Architects award in 2006. It was also a finalist in the 2006 Grand Designs Awards and was selected by television presenter Kevin McCloud among his favourite 100 projects.The renovation was documented in the television series Seven-Year Makeover, giving viewers an insight into the challenges of adapting a protected historic building for modern use. Over the years, the Harrises also began welcoming paying guests, renting out part of the property through Airbnb after their children grew older.
A £3 million home with an unusual income stream
Beyond its architecture, the property offers something rarely associated with a family home: an established source of rental income. Telecommunications companies lease space within the upper section of the tower for communications equipment. According to the current property listing, these arrangements generate approximately £75,000 annually, although the income would remain subject to the relevant lease agreements and costs.The house was previously marketed for £2.5 million in 2016, but a sale did not materialise. It returned to the market in August 2026, this time with an asking price of offers over £3 million. After more than two decades of living in the converted landmark, Russell and Jannette Harris are now looking to move on. For the next owner, the property offers more than an unconventional address. It is a piece of Victorian engineering history that has spent the past two decades serving an entirely different purpose: being a family home.