An award-winning conversion, offering a fascinating mix of contemporary and period architecture with superb views.


Situation
The Water Tower sits in a commanding position with far reaching views over Ashby-de-la-Zouch and the countryside beyond. It is an easy walk of about 400 metres to Market Street and the great range of shops, pubs and restaurants which the town offers. The Bath Grounds (park) are a similar distance away and with the adjoining grounds of Ashby Castle provide great areas for walking and recreation within the town. The edge of the town and access to public footpaths leading to National Forest woodland is about ¾ mile to the west. Willesley Park Golf Club is on the edge of Ashby de la Zouch and the highly regarded Champney Springs Health Spa is about three miles away.

The location is ideal for access to regional centres and major lines of communication, including the A42/M42, A50 and M1. Birmingham, Derby, Leicester and Nottingham are all within striking distance. The main line railway stations of East Midlands Parkway and Tamworth provide excellent services to London St Pancras and Euston respectively – Tamworth to Euston takes as little as 69 minutes (source thetrainline.com. Correct on date of drafting 26.11.2021).

Description
This property is a stunning conversion of a water tower constructed in 1853/54 to serve Ashby de la Zouch and which now offers very well-presented accommodation over three floors. The original tower is of yellow brick construction in English bond with stone dressings and this has been extended dramatically on the southern and western elevations including full height, curved glazing to the living-dining kitchen and second bedroom/potential reception room. The conversion was completed in 2016 and cleverly blends the original architecture of this Grade II listed building with contemporary extensions and won an LABC award in 2016 for the best re-use or conversion of an existing building. The accommodation is spread over three main floors and benefits from superb views across Ashby-de-la-Zouch and beyond.

Accommodation
The reception hall includes a Dijon brushed limestone floor, and an oak and steel-spine staircase with glazed balustrade which leads to the upper floors and retains as a feature the original cast iron pipework which used to drain the water tank when the building was in operation. A pair of bespoke American oak doors open into the living-dining kitchen. This is a dramatic space with a wonderful mix of architectural features, including exposed original brickwork and stonework contrasting with high-gloss units and a full height curved glazed wall providing views to the south. A glazed door also provides access onto the expansive patio area.

Within the limestone floor of this room is a toughened glass panel, beneath which is a shallow brick lined chamber which is lit and houses the retained water valve with the maker’s name highlighted in relief. The kitchen area includes a range of fitted units with quartz work surfaces, and integrated appliances including a dishwasher, washer/drier, induction hob and extractor, oven, microwave, and fridge-freezer. This space benefits from underfloor heating and air conditioning - see 'System details' below. A pair of doors also provide access into the garden area to the north of the Tower.

On the first floor the landing area within the stairwell is flanked by glazing and combined with the oak floor this provides the slight impression of crossing a bridge into the first-floor accommodation via a dressed stone archway. A door on the right leads into a brilliant bedroom, which like the room below has a full height curved glass wall and far-reaching views. The room includes a fitted wardrobe, full height brushed steel radiator, and air conditioning. Whilst this is currently used as a bedroom it would also work very well as an additional reception room. The other bedroom (currently in use as a home office) features an arrow slit window (double glazed and by Crittall) with dressed stone surround which provides a view towards the centre of Ashby-de-la-Zouch. A shower room with WC, basin and oversized mirror complete this floor.

The second floor comprises the master bedroom suite, which is also accessed via a dressed stone archway and landing with full height glazing. The master bedroom is a hugely impressive space with full height ceiling showing exposed cast beams with the maker’s name of 'W. Waller & Co Chesterfield' shown in relief, and three arrow slit windows (double glazed and by Crittall) with dressed stone surrounds and which provide great views. A cantilevered oak staircase with glazed balustrade leads to a fantastic mezzanine bathroom area, including a double ended bath with freestanding mixer tap, walk-in shower, wash hand basin in a wall mounted vanity unit beneath an oversized mirror, and a separate, enclosed WC. This area can be lit with a range of background lighting.

A folding loft access ladder leads up into the Tower's former tank, which provides a useful storage area but might have potential for other uses such as a gym or studio space, subject to the necessary consents/compliance with building regulations (the ceiling height is restricted in parts). An access hatch leads onto the roof for inspections. The roof has a brick balustrade, and the views are superb.

Outside
The property is approached via automated wrought iron gates leading off Moira Road to a shared entrance driveway. A further gateway leads to the private, gravelled driveway which provides parking for The Water Tower. A path leads across the property's lawn to a raised patio area and a glazed door leads into the reception hall. A shared pathway also leads off Moira Road and then into The Water Tower's private garden where double doors lead into the ground floor. The gardens are laid mainly to lawn, with a combination of mature hedging and walls on the boundaries. There are additional rights to park beside the shared entrance driveway.

System details
1. Mitsubishi air conditioning systems in the living-dining kitchen and second bedroom have 3D i-sensors which direct controlled cooling and heating towards or away from the occupants of the room.
2. A Vent Axia mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system takes air being expelled from the kitchen area, and bathrooms, and heats the incoming air which is circulated within the building.
3. The ground floor, bath/shower rooms (including master en suite) and landing areas have underfloor heating via a gas fired boiler heating a wet system.
4. An intercom system is in place ready for the installation of automated gates at the entrance point to The Water Tower's private driveway, if required.