Haukilahti water tower, Water tower in Haukilahti, Espoo, Finland.
Haukilahti water tower is a cylindrical concrete tower in the Haukilahti neighborhood of Espoo, standing about 45 meters tall with a diameter that makes it look almost as wide as it is tall. Inside, two large water tanks feed the local supply network, while the uppermost floor has been converted into a restaurant.
The tower was built in 1968 using a method new to Finland at the time: concrete sections were assembled at ground level and then lifted into place hydraulically. This approach changed how similar structures were built across the country in the years that followed.
The tower's name comes from the Haukilahti neighborhood, which means Hecht Bay in Finnish, reflecting the coastal character of this part of Espoo. The restaurant at the top, known as Haikaranpesä, draws both locals and visitors who come not for the water supply but for the view over the sea.
The restaurant at the top is the main way for visitors to access the tower, and it offers views toward the Gulf of Finland on clear days. It is worth checking opening times before visiting, as the restaurant's hours determine when the upper floor is accessible.
The tower is still an active part of the water supply system, meaning visitors who dine in the restaurant are sitting directly beneath working water tanks. Very few restaurants in Europe are housed inside functioning water infrastructure of this kind.
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