Water Tower Home Sale: Derelict Lymm landmark became £3m award-winning house; telecom kit pays rent

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 homeThe 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…