Wasserturm Bredeney, Water tower in Bredeney district, Essen, Germany
Wasserturm Bredeney is a water storage structure with a hexagonal concrete base that tapers upward, topped by a spherical steel tank 31 meters above ground. The design combines functionality with distinctive architectural forms typical of early industrial engineering.
Built in 1921 at Bredeney's highest elevation, the structure supplied drinking water to the expanding settlement during the region's rapid industrial growth. The location was chosen specifically to use gravity for water distribution across the developing area.
The tower represents industrial development in the Ruhr area and how engineering shaped the region. Visitors can observe how the structure reflects the technological ambitions of its time and the area's industrial identity.
After 2002 renovations, the interior contains nine floors of residential and office spaces accessible via internal stairs and elevators. The structure is not typically open for public interior tours, but its distinctive form is clearly visible from surrounding paths and streets.
The original water tank section received protected status in 1990, preserving it during later modifications, while the tower body underwent conversion to residences with a glass facade in 1997. This split approach between conservation of the technical core and commercial redevelopment of the shell represents an unconventional solution for reusing industrial structures.
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