Inside a Water Tower Converted into an Ingenious Home | Unique Spaces | Architectural Digest

Enter the historic Sunset Beach Water Tower. Once an essential stop for trains to load up on water, this tower is now a luxury four bedroom home with a panoramic view of the beach. Join co-owner Scott Ostlund as he takes you on a tour of this unique space.
Drone shots by Sheldon / IVESTER creative
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[@oxbig9518]

That's pretty cool I live in a converted crack house that's also currently still a crack house

[@Dimaz42]

wow.. I supposed you got 360 views of crackheads around the house

[@BrendaBaBoom]

Dimaz Now that’s funny 😄

[@ixnexus]

Oxbig 951 😂😂😂

[@jeffavery5278]

why?

[@gamescomgamer]

you looking for a roommate?

[@aleenziacobb]

i always pass by this home, now i get to see what it looks like inside !!!!!

[@renewoffles4369]

a’leenzia cobb I said your name and my furniture started floating

[@NenadKralj]

..., that is a good part and also a sad part [some of us can only dream about something like that] I can only slightly imagine how much if cost $$$ to own it

[@damien1781]

@@renewoffles4369 LMAOOO

[@damien1781]

I've passed by it a few times and always wondered if it was a home omg

[@chelsealauren1258]

Same!!!!!

[@errhka]

This guy knows his southern californian history! What an incredible home and I couldn't think of a better person to own and appreciate it!

[@Ddych81]

I agree totally

[@fuqmeplzable]

You mean, couldn't think of a richer person who was willing to outbid him

[@emilieguillon-equitation421]

Don't be jealous, some people just have good ideas and enough money to realise them 😄

[@rbk3463]

Yet he doesn't know that a gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds.

[@Tylixr]

It’s almost always up on air bnb guy could give two fucks about the history lmao

[@anmolnagpal7880]

I like how passionate he is about his home. Gorgeous views too. Good for you, bud.

[@yosour6733]

not his home just a rich guy that bought it renovated it to rent and make money

[@puffball4484]

love how he kept its historical integrity. its like a livable museum.

[@djdestroyer]

i just want someone to love me as much as this dude loves his house

[@rudetc]

"What kid doesn't like to live in a hidden room?" Fritzl's kids, Harry Potter and Anne Frank come to mind.

[@Munchael05]

Very nice comment

[@rudetc]

@@Munchael05 Yeah, it's one of my betters.

[@Julian-nr5fe]

This would be in the internets best of

[@sydneyp7867]

Daniel Coe Anne Frank was 15 when she was killed and was only 13 when she lived behind a concealed bookcase.... so ya she was a kid

[@sergeantbigmac]

​@Daniel Coe Lol so who did you think Anne Frank really was? A 50 year old man?

[@ItsMikeArre]

I’ve stayed here using airb&b it’s awesome at night

[@Burresweden]

Mike Arredondo do you remember what you paid?

[@ItsMikeArre]

Daniel Burman it was super expensive something like 3k for a weekend you can probably still rent this place if you really want to it’s got a few bed rooms so def split the cost with friends or family like I did

[@saphcal]

@@ItsMikeArre that sounds amazing

[@user-fw3sw7qx1u]

@@ItsMikeArre 3k? DAaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn

[@ItsMikeArre]

M 6 seems bad but it was for Labor Day weekend I believe and it was like 6 of us so more like 500 a piece the experience was amazing

[@Alex2626GS]

I love these types of videos! I much more prefer videos like these, rather that the over-the-top celebrity homes.

[@joaoignacio1978]

I loved that one about Robert Downey Jr's house. A converted windmill.

[@lindahind2205]

Alejandro Ascencio - So right! I want interesting architecture and not "People" magazine faux celebrities!

[@kenyettaready]

Me too. Celebrity homes intimidate me. I feel like I can sit and have coffee with this guy.

[@aparks1437]

this certainly puts the “air” in airbnb

[@TmanBlades]

Underrated comment right here 👆

[@GoGo-qi1yr]

...Being an Orange County native...I'm so happy to be able to see the inside of this place that I grew up seeing only the outside!.. thank you!.. 😎👍

[@plauterio]

It's in Long Beach my boi

[@GoGo-qi1yr]

@@plauterio ...yes!.. I know!... but I was literally Always at the ⛱Beach!!!... cheers!!😉🍹

[@Julia-cl1bf]

He did a great job at presenting his home!

[@sarahduong6276]

Aww, I actually like this guy. He's so genuine and natural

[@sams5177]

and hot

[@mrsbenedictcumberbatch9565]

And rich

[@bokuphishp684]

He sounds like Jason Sudeikis

[@thirstaefortae5057]

Incredible home! Liked how the current owner knew his history and reused little touches from the existing structure

[@twinlegends8339]

I’m sure there is one kid out there who is scared of hidden rooms...

[@kavan1931]

Harry potter

[@dilligaf0220]

Yes, but he sees dead people.

[@blueanimul]

🙋‍♂️

[@num1buttboarder]

I thought it looked claustrophobic

[@dannydoyle8731]

just replace that child with one who doesn't fear, some paper work involved but doable, I'm sure. lol

[@VikingBagsYT]

I remember tripping out on this building when we would pass by it as a kid.

[@MIG106]

"Trains back in the day carried two things - solids and liquids" ...go on...

[@FreakEasyGaming]

MIG106 GAS

[@Abrxas01]

Was thinking the same thing. I mean, you just covered 2/4 of the states of matter.

[@ruthvernotico2876]

😭

[@devpatel7206]

The guy is really passionate about his house

[@yosour6733]

yep passionate lol hes a rich guy that bought it to make money off of it all it is a investment to him he said it himself....

[@simonbagel]

@@yosour6733 and?

[@Hyp3rion]

@@yosour6733 He said when you buy things to make money you hope to do with your mind, and there are some things you do with your heart. And it clearly shows given the amount of thought he put into renovating this place and the respect he pays to the history of the location.

[@edwardelric4975]

I'm passionate about making money too.

[@Michaelengelmann]

It certainly is unique and I like it and he genuinely seems happy to share it with us

[@graceandglamor]

Missed opportunity to name the bathroom, “solids and liquids.” 💦 💩 😂

[@lw3269]

My thoughts exactly!

[@cruztastrophe]

I thought that's what he was going to say at first.

[@drx1xym154]

IDK, maybe barrels and burlap are classy?

[@keilaprevette1487]

That’s what I thought he was going to say. I think solids and liquid would have been a much better name 😂

[@stevesautomotivedetailing8308]

The Dump Station

[@corneliuswhite5139]

Nice use, and what we SHOULD be doing with older American structures.

[@Krauerking]

Yeah sitting empty is pointless but tearing down feels bad. I like repurpose and reuse

[@corneliuswhite5139]

@Myballsitchsomethingfierce I think I heard about that!!

[@stevenm6530]

“What kid doesn’t like to sleep in a secret room?” FBI: WE GOT HIM

[@slvsh77]

???

[@bahllls6267]

Lmaoo

[@lillywhite6760]

U deserve more credit for this 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dylanjohnson2327]

LMFAO

[@saint6389]

It's not even funny..

[@jekku4688]

THIS IS FABULOUS! And I love how it's not the typically sleek, cold homes that AD seems to show off. I'd love to refurb an old building and turn it into my home, so this his me right in the heart. Love it!

[@ClaudyArfaras]

That was interesting and quite educational... It's great when someone has researched and too restored a cherished Landsite and then receive a special tour, is the best... Thank You

[@jesperhagstrom]

Imagine the struggle getting the sofas up to the top floor 😂

[@raafeekhan1078]

Named the bathrooms after two things they carried. "Solids and liquids?" Barrels and burlap. Lmao

[@rexrad9735]

Hahaha, I was thinking the EXACT SAME THING and looking for this comment.😂 Thanks.

[@itsyaboi3163]

there's nothing i love more than a "dont tell anyone" moment in a video seen by millions of people

[@novadalman]

This is probably my favourite video by AD. The guy really loves his job and the tower itself with its history.

[@robertwallace5498]

I love that he has included so many cool historical elements for the surrounding area inside the house. So thoughtful

[@lorenwil]

What a great tour! I love this. Kudos to Mr. Ostlund - Well-done!

[@jeffprostar1909]

Thanks Scott for the tour. As a 65 y.o. man I've gone that tower hundreds and hundreds of time. You and your partner did an awesome in the restoration

[@rhodesdustin1989]

The amount of detail that you put into this is really impressive. You kept and added a lot of thing that most people wouldn’t think of. I can’t imagine how much this build actually cost but I’m really curious lol. You guys did something very special here I hope I can see this in person someday.

[@bryanyang7626]

I’ve always wondered if anyone lives in that tower whenever I was surfing at the sunset beach. It was my reference point for my location for the current drafting me down to the jetty. Also saw a 6ft shark 40 yards away from me there. Since then I’ve been surfing by the cliffs

[@charliebaby6]

„Water weighs about 6 pounds a gallon“ My european brain: *literally blank*

[@saxonsoldier67]

@Dirty Sack A bit more actually. Water is 1 kg/l or about 8.3 pounds/gallon.

[@angieg4127]

What an incredible home. The walls, bathroom, & the rooms. Very nautical & industrial. The kitchen! It’s beautiful. Love love love the cabinets.

[@michaelsaintjude]

I didn't grow up along the beach aera, but I did grow up in the San Gabriel Valley(Pasadena) which is about 25 minutes due North, North West. With Los Angeles traffic its an hour+ easy. I remember this tower as a kid. When the older siblings took me to the beach with them back in the late 70s/early 80s. (Took a lot of pleading & crying but hey how else is the baby of the family gonna get to hang with the older ones) To me this tower always ment it was summertime in SoCal which also meant NO SCHOOL, FIREWORKS, BBQ, SUMMER NIGHTS AT A DODGER GAMES, CAMPOUTS IN THE BACKYARD, NIGHT SWIMMING SINCE WE HAD A POOL, All that good stuff... So thank you Scott Oslund for keeping the water tower alive because for me, its a reminder of how fun childhood can be, if one is lucky enough to have one nowadays......... Bolsa Chica Beach or Huntington Beach which is walking distance for those who aren't from SoCal, were a lot more fun since they have large size pits for bonfires & BBQ's at night. But there was always some group of wild teens who were learning how to drink....

[@ryanozog9190]

I would stay there in a heartbeat! So cool!

[@MuNky1022]

A bit hokey, but in a charming way. Love it. Seems like a fun place to AirBnB.

[@j.v.5984]

Soooo nice is. Walls in the kitchen - lovee it. So natural.. And so much light inside.. Instead to loose, all is redesigned and used.. Love it. Thank You a lot.

[@JeffDeWitt]

I love it, a great old structure wonderfully repurposed and masterfully presented. Projects like this should serve as a model for how interesting old structures can be saved and given new lives.

[@TINA7HEAVEN]

I really like it. I feel it is creative and fun.

[@49lucky]

Oh my God I love the train set up there. When we were in Germany our dad built a train set through the whole house my brother and I lloved it my mom not so much.lol

[@Davett53]

FANTASTIC!........So cool,....excellent re-design,....I totally enjoyed the tour. Food for thoughts and fantasies,.....I will be dreaming about this place until I die. Thank you for saving it and giving it a new life. Just Beautiful!

[@davidsmith4654]

Awesome to have seen this. My Dad remembers the railroad that came through Seal Beach.

[@jaredouimette1]

"What kid doesn't want to live in a hidden room?" Uh, Harry Potter?

[@jurgenbuntinx1]

@Daniel Coe anna frank?

[@savannah_sjk]

Me : reads the words water tower Also me: ain't that where Aquamarine lives?

[@CameronSharpPottery]

Grew up in Sunset and Surfside from 1972- onward. Later we lived one block from this Tower at 26th. When I was little the school bus picked us up right in front of it. When we surfed it was the land marker to judge how far we drifted. Always loved it. Great friendships were made within a few blocks of it. Fights happened on the grass, we took dates to walk on the beach past the Water Tower. Meet me at the Water Tower is what we’d say. Thanks for the tour. Always wondered what it looked like inside. 😎

[@mallerywallinger1096]

WOW…..I love this. A fantastic home and I wish I was living there.

[@kevinbrislawn5918]

I've stood under that water tower when it wasn't a house I took pictures of it on 35mm film and still have them

[@MDU7777]

Finally an interesting piece that really catches my attention and not some overpriced house for sale or some celebrity cribs(wanna be mtv)

[@user-iv9wt9qc7l]

Every time I would be going through Sunset Beach, I've always thought that this is so cool and I always wanted a closer look. This is an amazing structure

[@RandyRazUllon]

Have lived near this tower my whole life (52), this I think is the first glimpse inside I've had. Thanks for sharing this. Very cool.

[@marcvillamar6752]

I’ve always passed this and never noticed that it was a Airbnb

[@versaillesth]

Man perfect for an AirBnb Luxe property...

[@davidtarvin8858]

They put so much thought into the rebuild. I Freaking love it!

[@weatherwax8541]

This was so thoughtfully and nicely done... Thank You! For letting us in! It's fun and amazing!

[@sacredgeometry8275]

Dang, I can't believe they removed the fish tank in the stairwell and replaced it with rusted metal and gravel. It's one of my favorite memories of seeing it so many years ago. It's a heck of a lot darker inside too. Still iconic, though.

[@bigtimecena3676]

Hidden room? My claustrophobia is already freaking out

[@andrewminty3250]

This is the best AD home video. What an orator - best presentation I’ve seen and heard. I live minutes away and never knew - gonna go tour it soon - This would be my dream home - forget all those mansions.

[@RayNLA]

I pass by this all the time. Nice to see the inside after the renovation. Thanks for sharing!

[@obnoxiousblob3087]

3:05 claustrophobia INTENSIFIES..

[@YepsMr]

obnoxious blob its not even that small of a confined place

[@Lowerhaightstreet]

2:04 Incredibly safe to have a light switch next to running water.

[@brendaleverick3655]

I'm glad old water towers are being converted into homes. What a good idea!👍👌👏

[@brickman409]

That's so cool. I've seen that water tower house so many times and have been amazed by it, but have never actually seen the inside of it

[@hilarybanks5516]

I heard someone did this inWoodstock, Cape Town, South Africa too.

[@shapshap6401]

venting machine Correct

[@MortyMortyMorty]

@@louloustlaurent6571 Not not true!

[@bongimabaso1534]

Where in Woodstock is it? I live around there...

[@surintevisisowath4323]

I drive by there literally every other day?? IM SHOOOOK

[@danieltovar5986]

Thanks for letting us see inside. Also thanks again for keeping some historic elements.

[@bangkokxpats]

Absolutely outstanding!!!! Awesooooome!!!!!

[@Jeedxx]

So confused. I thought this was a history video-- this guy sure knows his history. Great home anyway!

[@Gr1m_laden_7]

In the intro he says "what kid doesn't love sleeping in a hidden room?" I imagine Josef Fritzl's daughter and grandchildren would object to that....

[@karena5546]

Every time I would drive passed this tower I would become very curious and wonder what it was like inside. It’s so amazing to see how much thought you put into the details of this place.

[@elaineg60]

Breath-taking! You did an EXCELLENT job of renovating the old; while using the new to both increase aesthetics and practicality. My primary question? The usual question I asked when my ex and I were searching for a place to renovate in Cali: earthquake safety. As a former head of disaster management in the SE US, (Florida, Georgia, Alabama & Virginia); I thought I’d been through or seen it all. From Andrew to a tornado destroying our home in 98, multiple other hurricanes and tornadoes, floods and even blizzards in Virginia. Damn things follow me around, so although I thought I’d be fairly safe in a small town in the Poconos..boy, was I ever mistaken. I rented to own a loft apt, (an absolute MESS that had been everything from a luxury apt in the early 1800’s, to a brothel, rooming house, bar/hotel to liquor store storage) in an old building that looked as bland as could be on the outside; but inside had the 200 years of character you couldn’t find anywhere else. I got a great deal and the owner of the building was so excited about my plans, I practically lived there for free for 8 years of renovations. There were some major bumps in the road, like the roof caving in at one point, and endangered bats we couldn’t evict, so they were like pets, and became BFF ‘s with my cat. But just as I was wrapping up some of the final touches...damned if the Aug 2011 earthquake didn’t screw everything up. Despite being several hundred miles away; because of the way the plate is so solid here in the NorthEast US, it felt like about 10 unbalanced washing machines shaking the narrow building. (30ft wide, 150ft long, 3 stories with 9-13ft ceilings). When I ran downstairs and out into the parking lot with my cat-townspeople were all stopped, staring at my beloved building swaying back & forth, unable to make sense of what they were seeing. You couldn’t feel the quake outside and when I told them it was an earthquake; they accused me of either being drunk or on drugs. The joys of living in a tiny town on Main St USA. 🙄😖. Local police stopped and halfway through demanding to know what was going on inside the building-it came over the radio that a 5.8 Mag quake had knocked an old local firehouse into the river that runs through town. I knew from the cracks both inside & out my building was likely damaged much worse than I’d hoped and a day later, I was given 24 hours to pack up and get out. I went into a depression for quite awhile..so much work, money, all tore down after a freak quake destroyed my dream. We TRIED to figure out a way to save it, but it had been knocked off its foundation. Unfortunately, I just haven’t been able to get up the motivation to renovate again. I also went through some health issues and just don’t have the physical stamina I did back then to do everything on my own again. Luckily, my kids inherited the renovation bug; (they absolutely LOVED that building); and my eldest is selling her second renovation down south and we’ve considered getting a place that all 4 of us could work together again...it’s just a matter of WHERE. We’re actually considering leaving the country...for several reasons...but running from disasters isn’t one of them. NO PLACE is completely safe...

[@tashanguyen4563]

He buys a structure like that every weekend??? Damnnn

[@simonkempe1212]

It's a shame that they didn't hire a good interior designer because that's really a great setting

[@usn83001]

This is just awesome. Beautiful renovation, history and story told Thank you. Cheers

[@gabrielsteinmann1787]

I love! I always wanted to know about the history of that tower. Been seeing it for so long as I pass by that neighborhood on my way home to Huntington Beach. Thanks for sharing!

[@aylabr3931]

You don‘t find these in Germany. So jealous! What an incredibly gorgeous concept!

[@MaraMara89]

Really? In Poland we have some watertowers, some of them are renoveted, even in my town (Zabrze) there is one during renovation, when I was younger there were more towers, it's so sad that they were demolished due to poor condition. I thought that being neighbors would mean that we have similar buildings

[@aylabr3931]

MaraMara89 The only watertowers I have ever seen were on TV :D

[@lumperjack529]

+Ayla Br google mal Wasserturm Schmalenberg ein wirklich schöner alter Wasserturm in DE

[@alexisperez2214]

I mean its a big water bottle but whatever your into I guess

[@emilieguillon-equitation421]

We have plently of water towers in France but they are in use. I have never seen one renovated 😄

[@AmillionZtar]

I wonder if the water tower house is rented as an AirBNB

[@lindahind2205]

Emelia Medina -I believe that the owner mentioned renting it as the reason the revolving bathroom wall was locked in place and a commenter said they'd stayed there.

[@timber2017]

Emelia Medina it is it’s like 3k for a weekend

[@mr.m7791]

I know it was.. Probably price raise thanks to this video providing excellent promotion. I would love to stay here.b

[@Qeder7771]

3k for weekend so they don't need people staying there for long time and especially not lot of people 9/11 would do the same other 2 are stupid af

[@Nosferopathy]

Emelia Medina it is. one of the top comments is someone who stayed there

[@YoungBizWhiz]

Wow! What a VIEW!!

[@paongirl]

Gorgeous!

[@MeepMeep88]

3:16 poor camera guy lol... Dude is shoved so far into the corner he's shaking lol

[@peppeppii8688]

Cool house but, interiour design is crackk

[@sabaidee5587]

Exactly..

[@gonephishing]

Someone needs to tell this guy “No” and put an end to his awful taste

[@hutoxipatel3610]

V beautiful transformation of ur sweet home. V beautiful spacious n full of light n lovely people. God bless u all with good health happiness n loooooooooong life

[@lavaunjohns7796]

To realize all the nostalgic thought that went into this renovation/remodel is a testament to the passion this man has and the twisted mind to create something so offbeat yet perfect.

[@griff9515]

All fun and games until an earthquake knocks it down lol

[@dylanstuff9254]

"About six pounds a gallon" lol he did no research on that part

[@FreakieFan]

This house is awesome! One of the best properties ever shown on AD in my eyes.

[@liamkatt6434]

Absolutely wonderful!

[@kevinjati7953]

I'm gonna take the elevator You can take the stairs 😂😂😂😂😂 Imagine the cameraman takes their gear taking a 70 foot stair from bottom

[@postnutcognition]

was here for a bachelor party, some things happened on that top floor.

[@DoomFinger511]

All nighter playing the pacman machine?

[@ronycamacho7132]

Out of the whole house I admire your kitchen and the balcony. It’s nice and super chill.

[@arielsada3940]

Cool place. You did a great rehabbing and preserving it.

[@AdonisHolland]

Take a shot for every time he says Southern California

[@carlbakke1]

"What kid doesn't like to sleep in a hidden room" Ann frank prolly

[@g3neric108]

lmao

[@YepsMr]

hey she was hella grateful to have that secret attic

[@rx7dude2006]

That is super cool!Love unique places like this.

[@zdjparty]

For somebody who is not into architecture nor interior design like me, this is a great example of the effort that can be put into projects of such kind.

[@DomParenti]

Water weighs about 8lbs per gallon...not 6. So even more people.

[@YepsMr]

Dom P back then it weighed 6lbs didnt you know?

[@AtillatheFun]

This is going down when the big one hits. I can only imagine the damage.

[@yosour6733]

actually he might be the safest one depending on how strong the base of it is

[@TeddyGisaHOTTIE]

I’ve always wondered what this tower looked like on the inside. Thanks for all the historical info too!

[@laurengarcia3838]

I HAVE DRIVEN BY THIS SO MANY TIMES and I finally know what it is Thank you!!