Restoration Man: Victorian Water Tower (Before and After) | History Documentary | Reel Truth History

[@andreaandrea6716]

Oooooohhh!! I LOVE it when George adamantly says "You can't think of it like a bachelor pad, it's got to be a proper family home." I could kiss him for saying that. She is so lovely.

[@mjinba07]

Lovely work but, other than Anna's contribution of the cobbled floor on the top level, it reminds me of half a dozen office buildings I've worked in over the years.

[@suzannetodaro5494]

You had beds in your office awesome lol..... I guess he was working within his budget.

[@evilrose412]

@@suzannetodaro5494 no taste in interrior design has nothing to do with budget. I'm not talking clutter the place but hint of color here and there wouldnt hurt anyone

[@cleot151]

I would be better as an office building.

[@andreaandrea6716]

Andy says "We've just bought a water tower." THEN rings Anna to tell her. He doesn't LOOK at her, he doesn't refer to her with any affection, doesn't stand next to her or physically make any kind of contact with her. BODY-LANGUAGE-WISE there are big problems here; SHE is IN the relationship. He doesn't know what a relationship is. He doesn't even know how lucky he is to have her be interested in him (and his poorly designed home).

[@emmalouie1663]

If you say so. Lots of people don't even own homes or have extra 200,000 laying around.

[@andreaandrea6716]

@@emmalouie1663 It's a stunningly beautiful building. I'm just always very aware of people and how they interact. That always hits me in the face. And yes... lots of people don't own their own homes... and may never... and that's also really sad.

[@nancyn347]

Well said! Anna needs to run away from this guy as fast as she can. She must not have much self esteem to stay with this awful man.

[@imari2305]

Love the exterior of the building and Andy did a great job restoring it but my knees would give out if I had to walk up that many flights of stairs; they need an elevator. His partner didn't seem to happy she wasn't included in most of the decision making.

[@rosajimenez7777]

@King Brilliant Hahahaha!

[@jimdavid7710]

imari2305 & where’s the lift they had that central shaft ready for re-purposing...

[@thecollector5243]

Especially with her being pregnant there at the end, those stairs are gonna be hard work. Hope she keeps her cell phone with her all times 🙁

[@andreaandrea6716]

@King Brilliant You mean YOURS?

[@GenaF]

@@thecollector5243 Did they say she was pregnant? I never heard that, and she didn't look it. She was drinking champagne with the others on the roof.

[@edw8889]

That poor wife. I don’t think she had any role at all in house. She seems sad

[@safevoyage]

They’re not married so she can still get out of it, he can have his bachelor’s pad.

[@coolcpa3321]

He doesn't seem to respect her or care about her. Let's hope she had the sense to move back to Devon and live the dictator to his staircase with a few rooms attached.

[@andreaandrea6716]

I hope she leaves before it's too late. She DOES seem sad.

[@jeradmiller4575]

31:56-32:07. Notice the look on his face when she dared to joke about him being a control freak. His whole countenance changed to a kind of simmering anger "you'll pay for that later" distant stare. I actually fear for that woman's mental and physical well-being. Cant believe they televised this abusive relationship.

[@reiner164]

He looked like he was about to cry.

[@NeilPost71]

Finally got the sound right! Music wasn't so loud you couldn't hear them talking!

[@campeau29]

I think you're referring to another program called "The House 100K Built". George wouldn't lead us astray!

[@kristinebailey2804]

Get the feeling he is an only child, he's legend in his own mind, his poor wife has no voice.

[@Cadadadry]

Modern world still isn't much better than the old one : school is teaching what your father wants you to become - basically above most of your contemporaries (just a point of view) ; then life is teaching what a human beeing is supposed to be - if you're lucky and wise enough to understand the upgrading...

[@loversaga]

I rarely comment on anything but I feel so sorry for Anna... The house interior is so empty and does not look like home at all. He will lock her in that tower and not let her live. Run away from that horrible man Rapunzel!

[@hollystorm]

Coming to the comments to see if I'm the only one that thought that guy was a total d-bag and I see that I'm not. 😬That poor woman. He bought the building without talking to her about it, sold their home, moved them in with his parents, and she didn't even get a say in the restoration. I can't believe she stuck around that long.

[@jonathanbrady3236]

I know! Just from what I can see, he's an awful person! Terribly selfish, inconsiderate and egotistical.

[@lynncarter4964]

He's the type of person who waits til it's too late for her to have kids, then they break up. I've known guys like this. Hope she moved on, if that's what he was like. In time to have kids with someone else, in a house that's not so dangerous to raise kids in. Hope she has the courage to be decisive about that.

[@emmalouie1663]

@@lynncarter4964 True that is not a kid friendly home. Maybe she doesn't want any though.

[@mattneillninasmom]

@@emmalouie1663 Please be aware: not everyone CAN have kids!

[@emmalouie1663]

@@mattneillninasmom Everybody is aware of infertility. Please be aware: sometimes the weather changes.

[@williejohnson5172]

There was an elevator shaft/stair way right in the middle of the building!!!! Use it!!!! Why take out massive iron beams and replace them with puny steel beams? Why have a staircase take up a third of the space??? The final build lost all sense of expanded space. It felt cramped. This was so frustrating because the building was magnificent but the final design was just wrong.

[@lust4bass]

Full agree, the full potential of the place was not realized here, on the contrary. They could have created a beautiful circular living room but all was sacrificed for that dramatic, voracious staircase well. They should have covered the full available surface with minimal surface loss only for a peripheric sraircase. As it is now, the living room looks like a rather crampy, uncomfortable place. More generally speaking, those restored towers we see in the show, altough very romantic and attractive, must be very claustrophobic places to live in since one is not allowed to change generally tiny windows to open decent bay in the walls to give it some light & view. And going up and down the stairs all the time, I would hate it eventually. As for the rooftop floor, it is typically the kind of space you never go to, and probably your teenagers will want it for their sleeping room anyway.

[@GenaF]

I am reading about the chap being an architect, and now having this in his portfolio at AEW Architects but several media companies describe him as 'heading up a team who design McDonalds restaurants'.... which is hardly rocket science given they're all so alike. Every article I read is about him, Andy Critchlow. Not one mention of Ana which is a shame. I wonder if she is still living there, I'm trying to find out. Everything revolved around him. I think he refused the ideas which George gave Ana for making life easier and I don't think she had a say in decor as every floor was so bland. I liked her 'pebble beach' at the top and he even said 'not my idea' as he distanced himself from it. She said she was from Devon but was completely ignored. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Beautiful building but Ana seemed unhappy.

[@emmalouie1663]

He has a small chin and she has a big nose maybe they found eachother as some kind of dating left-overs. If she wanted to she could move out and rent an apartment since she works in IT.

[@GenaF]

@@emmalouie1663 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@SS-jb8wj]

I have found architects don't always see practicality, such as dumb waiters, intercoms & a lift. It seems that that Anna didn't have much input into the design of the place. That water tower is both their homes not just his. His response, and the way he said it, of the pebble floor says it all, "It wasn't my idea." What a put down for Anna.

[@cgriffisteach1]

Sandra Simpson and her comment about being from Devon, aka the beach, totally ignored.

[@MaZEEZaM]

Cindy Griffis Yeah, I wonder how long the marriage lasted/lasts given it’s a decade past.

[@mrssmallbutperfect]

Yes it was an ouch moment. I really felt for her. Thought the dining room table looked more boardroom than cosy place to eat together. The overall interior was pretty sterile, and watching Anna during the reveal, she didn't look particularly enthusiastic or engaged as the two architects chummed it up. With all those stairs and no lift you'd have to be very mobile (and enjoy stairs) to be able to live there. They saved the tower but at what cost to their marriage?

[@emmalouie1663]

At 43:48 minutes in. You are right I didn't quite catch that. I didn't really notice it as being rude but then again I come from a toxic family so perhaps this guy is rude.

[@neko2412neko]

To transform this water town was such a great opportunity, but I also think it could have done way better... It is not practical at all... Like the intercom, vacuum system, etc is missing.... and most likely the elevator... bring up the grocery to the 2nd floor in the kitchen... no thanks... And that weird living room - dining room - kitchen - construction would bother me so much as well... And it seems so tiny beside it has so much space actually...

[@MsTemptation]

They might add those things on later. Nothings ever permanent.

[@RosovaEva]

Yeah x the grand staircase is grand waste of space..

[@mitel021]

Exactly. My first thought when he revealed the plan was the kitchen should be on the first floor. My second thought was that I wouldn't want my children to be closest to the exit while I slept 2 floors above.

[@Jamieprv]

“not my choice” = emotional abuser.

[@HaddaClu]

I get the feeling that the husband was / is so bull headed that he nixed any of ideas that were shown to the wife at the other tower.

[@s.e.landeros280]

Yea I think ur right. U could see it in her face at that moment of conversation. BUT, most strong willed people are just that. In his defense, the job was beautifully designed & completed ✔

[@cecilwilson5442]

Missing the beam vacuum and the lift up the centre brick column from the design might be a bit of a tough thing to rectify and the finished stage as we all get older and a couple usually f share idea's he wasn't to happy about the choice of flooring in the viewing gallery at the end but nice job better than the empty space it was great project that would be ace for his portfolio of work done 😁😁😁👍👍👍

[@GenaF]

@@cecilwilson5442 It's all over the website of AEW Architects but he doesn't really need it in his portfolio as several media companies describe him as 'heading up a team who design McDonalds restaurants'.... which is hardly rocket science given they're all so alike. Every article I read is about him, Andy Critchlow. Not one mention of Ana which is a shame. I wonder if she is still living there, I'm trying to find out.

[@squeakboxx5917]

I am pretty sure the wife wanted the features that she was shown in the other tower of a central vac system and an intercom but id bet my money her husband refused it. Like she said she was the one who would be doing all the cleaning so why would he care about something that isn't his problem. Not to mention i would have left as much brick exposed as it adds character and I can also only imagine how hot the roof room will be in the summer with all that glass.

[@captainhindsight8779]

I’d not be able to sleep at night if I knew my kids could fall 150ft from the stairways. A tragedy waiting to happen, cost aside, solid glass and beam floating floors at each stair exit level would be the only safe measure, but the ceiling height would still mean a 4 metre drop.

[@andreaandrea6716]

That's right.

[@rebeccabrockway8258]

My stomach flip-flopped when everyone stepped outside to the top terrace. I can imagine a young teenage boy thinking it would be a lark to walk around the building exterior by balancing on the upper ledge. A tragedy waiting to happen, indeed! Not a home fit for children!!!

[@GenaF]

My thoughts too. To have children there, you'd have to be on top of them every second of every day because even babies climb out of their cots and go wandering while parents don't always hear them.

[@robinwalderhaug2842]

He knew Ana was uncomfortable on those stairs... He pointed out on camera that she was nervous going up or down, and when she admitted she was afraid of open stairs, he said not once, but twice "fears are meant to be conquered". He knowingly set her up to live in constant fear. I hope she got out of there.

[@alexw5732]

the fact he said "...no real idea whether we were going to buy it, ... 1/2 an hour later walked out [of auction], phoned anna and said WE'VE just bought a water tower." no no you bought it and gave your wife no choice in the matter, making her have to give up their old house and move in with his parents after he's just spent their money lol

[@patslink3131]

I love the Victorian water tower. I also think the presenter Mr. George Clark continues to make everyone of his presentations very articulate & precise

[@patslink3131]

Congratulations Mr. Clark

[@getin3949]

Central vacuums have been around HERE for over 50 years. My Gran had one and it is nice not to have to lug the vac but you still have to lug the long hose around.

[@coolcpa3321]

Yes. My grandmother and mother included them in their respective California homes built in the 1970s and late 1990s, respectively. Very efficient and convenient.

[@scot76thistle51]

This is definitely not my favorite.. it needs an elevator. No room space and to heat it must be horribly expensive.. that is “ his” house not hers ...she is too nice

[@mike86mike]

She will be on tinder soon.

[@jimorzel2130]

first thing i thought of at the beginning when the tower was empty and I saw that that brick structure in the middle that was holding up the old steel beams at the top, was, that would be a perfect place to put an elevator in

[@TrinaMadeIt]

Jim Orzel my exact thought also!!

[@gaylespencer6188]

@@jimorzel2130 Elevators are super expensive, yet for an enjoyable use of this building quite necessary. Still they would need some sort of stairs as a means of emergency egress. All in all this was a foolish purchase. In the end the retrofit really doesn't work. And the cost is simply not justified. Putting up that scaffold alone, yikes.

[@nisar6339]

For the first time while watching this series, I was disappointed. I thought the layout was careless, uninteresting and without consideration for everyday common issues. My thoughts on the ascetics are that of a static office. Who wants to live in an office. It was totally without style.

[@sydney4911]

If you can afford to build something like this, you can afford to buy a vacuum cleaner for each floor so that you don't have to worry about lugging it up and down. I think they missed an opportunity to put in a lift as there was more than enough room for one.

[@waterboy8999]

It would make a great water tower.

[@memikell]

Now that is a great comment!

[@mrssmallbutperfect]

there's a thought!!!

[@Cadadadry]

This is where an elevetor would have been perfect : a swift way to reach your private swimming pool up there...

[@Amber-mv8wz]

Lovely old building but if I couldn't have a lift I'd never have even considered it as a home. And why on earth did they build the observation room down behind the brickwork at the top rather than making it level with the top of the walls & adding a railing so you could see the view when seated?

[@Bella-cz6od]

Shoulda had a lift, an intercom, a vacuum, storage closets. It's a bachelor pad! Bet he wouldn't listen to Anna's suggestions.

[@abbielynnjuett4031]

I like to see the strength of Anna and how she walks along side Andy. A string and beautiful couple. I hope they stay together and continue to work in and throughout life with this strength and understanding of the other in their combined life. Precious and priceless.

[@voyager1369]

Great finishes. But, Anna will regret not having a laundry chute or elevator if they decide to have children. Of course, this was filmed ten years ago, so they may not even live there anymore.

[@stephanweinberger]

or a central vacuum

[@allenschmitz9644]

yep,my take is they sold this money pit and made a killing to some sucker that bought it for the view.

[@jamesgulliver6169]

they literally could buy any new build apartment and got the same feel. and saved a lot of money.This is shockingly bad

[@susanharris5926]

I suspect the reason they don't have the most important things to make this a livable space is because he said no to them. They need a dumb waiter, laundry shoot and a central vacuum system in a place like this. Great building, but who wants to stagger up and down that staircase. The room layout is not striking either. I think this was his deal and it had more to do with architectural possibility than making a home.

[@mitel021]

Who wants to carry groceries from the carport a quarter mile away, up 2 flights of stairs, through a living room and dining room. No thanks!

[@garyingersoll2460]

Thank you George for such an interesting program... I love seeing old building brought back to life....

[@MaZEEZaM]

In Australia, we have neither attic’s nor basements 😔 it’s way too hot here for attic’s, it would probably be a major fire hazard but I do wish our homes had basements. Basements are great for a range of purposes whether it’s for a home cinema where the sound would be far easier to isolate from our neighbours, or my favourite, as a cool and dark room for storing of home made preserves and particularly so if it’s clean, producing cured meats and cheeses. If I could afford to build my own home, I would definitely include a large basement.

[@tomlibero3780]

Superb, but just look at the GSM transmitters on the neighboring tower to know that the place is uninhabitable ...

[@jeradmiller4575]

Wonder if they requested radiation measurements...

[@joyful_tanya]

🎯

[@cx24x]

Poor Anna being used for her money and dragged into something she didn't want. George's joy is palpable, will watch anything he's in.

[@Tellyfive]

A third of it is just stairs.

[@JC-XL]

Yes, a lot of wasted space. It looks like living in an apartment building, not a house.

[@itorapadas]

Andy, the builder, was offended by George, the host, attempt to psychoanalyze him. He looked angry when Ana told him that George thinks Andy is over controlling and overbearing. He didnt care to comment on that observation. Personally, I don't think this is a forever home. They'll eventually sell this especially when time comes Andy naturally develops some chronic conditions of ageing body- they'll need to transition to a more practical home.

[@finehomemadewine]

I love the beach on the top floor :-). I want it for my bedroom!

[@jimdavid7710]

The internal is average. The could have repurposed the central shaft into a lift. No bbq in the outdoor roof area ... ack

[@rosajimenez7777]

The son and father cursing at each other, the guy is so rude to his dad, total turnoff.

[@Mario7p]

@@CynnickelEnt or maybe, you know, it was staged, mr freud wannabe

[@kutrabilada8865]

They want a family, imagine kids and those stairs, a nightmare!

[@WilldoAldone]

I would stay so worried of a child climbing and falling over one of those rails.

[@kiwisweetheart71]

They are really going to enjoy carrying babies and toddlers up and down those stairs aren't they?? 😂🤣🤣

[@celestewatson4874]

I dunno. People all over NYC, USA live in 5 story walk-ups from early 20th century

[@seanregehr4921]

Those stairs are a parents best friend after the children know to use them safely. Takes all the energy out of them and keeps them moderated. On a separate note, moving would have been a pain.

[@empressmarowynn]

@@celestewatson4874 But that's only to get in and out of the building, maybe only a couple times a day. Imagine having all the bedrooms and the kitchen/living room spread across all those floors, having to walk up and down all those flights dozens of times a day. Huge difference between a single story apartment on the fifth floor versus every room of the house on a separate floor.

[@saturnia22]

Elevator? your knees over the years would take a beating..trust me.

[@JUST_ONE_ID10T]

I'd of put in glass floors by the steps ( instead of having all the wasted space ) to of reclaimed some floor space and still let the look of having a huge grand open stair case.

[@Tracks777]

awesome video

[@Meeckle]

"Drinking something liquid"😂😂😂😂😂 I'd love to see him drink something solid

[@bbranett2188]

Collera is a solids drinking problem

[@bbranett2188]

Finally a completed building!

[@Meeckle]

They do not look like a happy couple!!!

[@cortneycynefin8009]

I'm curious if they are still together.

[@olebrgesen795]

Well he is happy - she is not! Maybe he has his manly tower for himself by now......

[@Bender13]

She didn’t seem very happy through the whole build. It was as if she was to be seen but not heard. She may have voiced some observations or concerns and tried to have more input such as a lift, central vac, more colour and life in the rooms etc. but he shut her down. As the host continued to drone on about....it was all the husbands ideas, he did all the work, he was unstoppable and on and on. This mirrors the guys personality to a tee. It’s not hers....she looked miserable .

[@MegaBrenda1970]

Richard Bee I agree! I felt very sorry for her! It was his home but not hers! He didn’t even act like he wanted her to decorate it and that is what most women love doing!!

[@EnduroNerd]

I get the sense there was and still is a fair amount of friction in this relationship over this build... His choice, her choice... very little "our choice".

[@irisheyes5890]

I read an article that it cost 400,000 pounds and 18 months to complete. The brother got pneumonia, the father a heart attack and Andy a broken ankle. She needs to run from that guy.

[@1936Studebaker]

She's not happy!

[@andreaandrea6716]

He doesn't know how to build a relationship, let alone a home.

[@andreaandrea6716]

Decided lack of interior design and IT SHOWS. There's a kind of sterility which tells me that Anna had nothing to do with the 'choices' made. Someone is VERY CONTROLLING and more interested in CONTROL than RELATIONSHIP. Even the 'Art' is stuff made in a factory; NOT ACTUAL ART. Everything here is 'canned'. Very sad, because the building itself is warm and full of character.

[@WilldoAldone]

Not a house for children or the aged. Young couple or bachelor pad with roomies. But either way a fantastic building.

[@carriebtc]

What a waste. The could've lived in the most amazing 6000 sqft house, and he decided to live in an apartment building looking home. 1/2 of the tower devoted to the staircase. What a waste!

[@AT-ld7kg]

maybe the structure is not able to bear a greater weight? however you're right, too much wasted and expensive space to heat, certainly can save on the gym ..... seeing how many stairs it has to do every day !!🤣🤣

[@JC-XL]

@@AT-ld7kg The structure is way stronger than needed, it was supporting a huge cylinder of water at the top and water is heavy - 1 square meter of water weighs exactly a metric ton, plus these cast iron beams that were at the top are insanely heavy as well.

[@themississippicottage9395]

Would be perfect rental rooms...

[@ashleygobeil8935]

Why wouldn't they incorporate the steel beams into the top floor? They could have had it exposed on the bottom and/or lay the floor flush with the top of the higher beam to create an interesting flooring

[@1776tonow]

Walking through the sewers is a real testament to the host’s commitment to historical background! Bravo!

[@kryzkrozzable]

I can only think of the heating costs ...

[@stephanweinberger]

Shouldn't be too bad. Thick brick walls provide a surprising amount of insulation, and all the living areas are properly sealed off from the staircase. The windows look like triple-glazing as well.

[@ricci8497]

@@stephanweinberger Not just that but those walls are actually pretty thick at least three layers of brickwork in it for holding gallons of water. Water that one has to remember would be running all year round so couldn't be allowed to freeze.

[@stephanweinberger]

@@ricci8497 those walls did not hold water. Water towers have a *tank* on top. :-)

[@ricci8497]

@@stephanweinberger Rewatch that video the water tank accounted for the top third of the structure held internally there is even an original drawing showing a cross-section of it and it shows the water tank is internal and that there is nothing above the top brick line. The tank rested on top of the I-beams that they took out and the top of the central support that did not go all the way to the top time stamp 28:29

[@stephanweinberger]

​@@ricci8497 Yes, but the wall thickness in the lower 2/3rds (where most of the rooms are now) is rather irrelevant for the water temperature.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I would have kept the old riveted beams, even if they had to be repositioned to get the floor level right. I would also have made they staircase around the central column ala the original drawing, would have taken up less floor space. And a lift, albeit costly, in the central column is almost a need in such a tall building, you never stay young forever, and why not kept some of the cast iron pipework on the ground floor as a reminder of the original function? the entrance hall wouldn't be compromised at all by it space wise. And I would position the kitchen/diner and lounge on the upper floor, connecting closely with the new roof lounge and with even better views at times of the day you have your eyes open! The bed rooms are closer to the laundry room that way and hauling laundry down is kept to one floorlevel only.

[@ncox7909]

Imagine carrying the groceries up to the second floor....OR carrying food up to the terrace for a BBQ. This tower would have used a lift for sure...

[@mattneillninasmom]

As a Grade #2 Listing, planning approval may not have been gotten for some of the things they had hoped for.

[@icdas7158]

It’s ok , see better design, I did not take to Andy , seems a right arrogant little man, and she never got a word in edgewise. Anna, sell it, get you share and run .

[@ladybugxxable]

beautiful and love the decor, only thing that missing for me is cupboards in the bedrooms

[@allysonsorenson3472]

He's a nightmare. Look at her body language.

[@toocutepuppies6535]

Lovely restoration but horribly impractical if you have little children.

[@Suzyfromtheblock]

Katie Weird or an old granny 🤣😂🤣🤣

[@toocutepuppies6535]

@@Suzyfromtheblock Puts some severe limitations on its resale appeal, for sure. Of course, if you've never had kids or an elderly family member you tend not to think about those things - like we all did at that age. I wonder if they still own it?

[@Suzyfromtheblock]

Katie Weird absolutely Katie a nightmare but an innovative project 🙏 yes I wonder if they still own it

[@evilrose412]

@@toocutepuppies6535 i have no kids and no elders, still I see lower levels kids bedrooms as a problem. as they will be on top level, kids can get out of the house or they wont be able to get them if someone breaks in. Thinking bout stuff like that really goes a long way. People in general tend to avoid thinking, it has nothing to do whether u have kids/elders or not. Just look at the comments above about vacuum and laundry chut... someone said it in TV so all of sudden everyone sees it as needed, without thinking about the building itself, real usage and cost.

[@toocutepuppies6535]

@@evilrose412 I strongly suspect that her strong-willed partner was responsible for those more practical suggestions not being included. But, running up and down stairs, carrying laundry, vacuums, kids and about a billion other things is gonna make somebody hate that house really fast!

[@Thurstorm]

That’s not a nice restoration at all. It’s a very nice building and that raw interior empty space had so much more potential. And the guy it’s an architect!!!

[@kaarlimakela3413]

Never handle power tools 50 feet up in anger ...

[@MaZEEZaM]

Don’t worry, you would need extremely long arms to do that!

[@joannahampton3808]

The only great space was the top floor, all the other rooms were plain and boring

[@Underthewindywater]

Joanna Hampton it’s a grade 2 listed building they cant just do what they want with it

[@John...44...]

@@Underthewindywater they can with the internals, the interior was quite dull and samey with small rooms for the size of the building

[@JC-XL]

They could at least keep the arched windows, instead of bricking the top and punting in pain and boring rectangular ones.

[@misswoo9522]

Sad there is no bath or hot tub!

[@luditebreaker5065]

That modern water tower near the old one is destroying my mood and view

[@OmnivorousReader]

Ok, I love these docos, I do! The one thing that drives me up the wall about them and makes me stop watching though, is the repetition. Twenty minutes in, and I have just been told for the THIRD time what year they bought it, how much they paid ect ect ect. Two minutes ago, I was being told for about the third time in five minutes that the roof has to come off and be put back on. Really - why? An average adult watching this forty seven minute video is capable of remembering what the couple risked in order to restore it. We can remember that for the whole 47 minutes without being reminded every five. P.S. I totally covet their water tower home.

[@bearmotel]

Would these repetitions come after a commercial break in their initial airing? Often shows try to catch up people who may have just joined.

[@OmnivorousReader]

@@bearmotel I guess they must...

[@MaZEEZaM]

Deb Ideiosepius Yes but even then these type of shows seem to think people have memories of numbsculls, I really don’t think people would forget the project after a few minutes of ads.

[@zhiguli8]

See The Gift Shop Sketch from Mitchell & Webb

[@zoe1599]

The finished house is so incredibly boring, where is the personality?

[@alexw5732]

matches his vibrant personality lol

[@NYCHeartandSoul]

I would’ve made The lower two or three floors extend all the way through the building. That way they would have some beautiful open spaces and eliminate the scary looking drop from an open staircase. If bedrooms and the living space occupied the first and second floors that would’ve obviated the need to climb up and down all of those stairs. The top floor could’ve been double height perhaps if they wanted to add some grandeur. The rooftop addition is pretty cool in order to have the terrace and view. There is another water tower program from Norfolk where the dad is a delightfully off his rocker creative type who managed to create a pretty amazing space and the family was involved. His wife and sons gamely supported his efforts and appreciated his hard work. One son even worked with him throughout the project, albeit finding his dad endearingly bonkers but capable. I had much more sense of simpatico and that it became a real family home, especially when he built a side tower thereby creating more living space on the lower floors.

[@joanneanderson6535]

Gorgeous! Thoughtfully done! Congratulations🌋

[@jaxsun72]

Very sad results overall. Inside looks more like an office building or a dentists. Kind of a waste.

[@richardmckrell4899]

Amazing, but does need a lift.

[@paulajensen9181]

It's wonderful to keep an open mind, when building I got tunnel vision and wish Someone would have given me some advice. Where where you George??

[@hannetang]

Why but why did you not build a lift in the middle of this beautiful watertower?

[@susandempsey8139]

Amazing project but super uncomfortable to watch. The husband was ruthless.

[@jonathanbrady3236]

I would divorce him if I were her! He's horrible.

[@cleot151]

Is there an update on this place? I find it hard to believe that he really expects to live there.

[@rafaelkenny606]

I love the “watch Tower” roof💙😎

[@TheSofres]

I wish they would do a 2020 where are they now series.

[@MaZEEZaM]

They really did build such beautiful infrastructure during the Victorian period, I wish they built like that in Australia but we have very few beautiful historical buildings. 100,000 pounds including 1 acre of land is a true bargain.

[@paulc1352]

Amazing what they have done with that building.

[@kiwisweetheart71]

They are going to regret not installing a lift when they have a baby and toddler or two to carry up and down those stairs, even more if a future child has a disability or serious medical condition. Bad planning there. Also gran and pops can't visit when they become frail, and why no doorbell??

[@Angibbabee]

The home is all right. They definitely need an elevator. The vacuum idea is amazing but of course they didn’t use it. But most of all that woman was so unhappy. You could see it on her face every time. She was so quiet. Even when she was directly spoken to. And that man is horrible. Horribly selfish horribly inconsiderate. I don’t like him.

[@emmalouie1663]

Um 32:00, she talks about a family home. People have mentioned here the problems between these two. Are there problems?

[@RichardSmith-um4js]

No elevator? The stairs will get really old very quickly. Very sterile and no personality at all.

[@arturchmiel4821]

She must be the most unhappy woman in a whole universe, they do look like a housemates rather than a couple

[@SoundBlackRecordings]

She seems like she might be a victim of abuse. :(

[@KhaiFirst]

beautiful

[@darrellpetri9008]

Great job

[@grittyfaithgrittyfacts]

George is the most handsome downer! Hes always like, "Well mate, tbh, I think you're daft, and this will never work. See you in 6 months!"

[@madman3891]

You can tell he wasn't considering kids, he put the main bedroom on the top floor and "guestroom" which would be the kids room on the bottom floor. Yikes.

[@dongoeree6180]

I don't really understand this layout, it doesn't make much sense to me. Why would you put the livingroom/kitchen in the middle of the building. I would put it on the top floor, so you have the best views. You don't need a great view from the bedrooms, so those I would put a level lower. Also, if you want to eat on that great roof terras, it's much more comfortable if the kitchen isn't 2 floors down. And I thought they were talking about making a family home? Then why do they have 3 double bedrooms with just ¨adult¨ size beds, why not make a nice kids room for the future kids? And I would have done a spiral staircase, it takes a lot less space and it's more beautiful in my opinion.

[@amymk3314]

Gorgeous result!!!

[@trinareynolds8948]

Having to watch the disfunction of these two after the devotion of the couple in the Reeds Mill episode, (which I sobbed my way through) is so difficult. Sweet Anna needs to watch Reeds Mill and find herself a husband like that!

[@animerlon]

They did a grand job with the layout & stairs, but it lacks personality. It feels very anonymous. They're going to regret not putting in at least a small one person lift. No problem when you're fît & under 30 with no kids to run after. Being on crutches would be hell.

[@stitcha123]

45:31 as opposed to all those glasses of lego bricks I've been drinking all these years.

[@risalangdon9883]

IDK, Loved Loved the look of the original building & was so looking forward to the results. But it was quite disappointing. Very plain & blah. Cannot believe that he didn't incorporate a small lift. Especially for his aging parents, or if she became pregnant, or even if someone breaks an ankle or leg. Not even a dumbwaiter of sorts. IDK, she just really didn't look the least bit happy. He didn't really allow her much input at all. And the space just didn't seem well used. It was really very disappointing. But, I am not the one that will be living there.

[@Molly-ec8ec]

I just watched the video and I‘m wondering if the two are still together. I doubt it. And I‘m with the comment saying that he wasted extreme space on that staircase. There was the shaft where could have been a great elevator. This is an awesome building and he did lots of things right. But not everything was thought through and Anna was not able to leave her mark.

[@GenaF]

I think I'd somehow have kept the centre brick shaft and put a central lift in rather than stairs. They'd have had more space then, plus an easier life.

[@nancyn347]

I think you'd need stairs for fire escape.

[@kathy888]

STUNNING!