Victorian water tower for rent - owners will live in the garden

Published on Monday 8 November 2010 10:42

IT'S one of the more unusual tenancies on the Edinburgh property market and has earned real estate plaudits from Britain to America.

Now a B-listed Victorian water tower in Dalkeith - thought to be the oldest of its kind in Scotland - is to become one of the most sought-after rental homes in the Lothians.

Standing 110ft tall, the landmark two-bedroom conversion boasts panoramic views of the city, Forth Valley, the Pentlands and Lammermuir hills.

It has scooped a clutch of coveted accolades since renovations were completed in 1990, among them the Sunday Times "Best conversion of an industrial building" and heritage award for "Best architectural conversion", as well as the National Trust's "Best conversion" award. It has also earned notable air time in Britain and America on TV shows such as 80 Best Extreme Homes of the World and Lloyd Grossman's Through The Keyhole.

In the 1950s, 70 years after it was built, the tower was deemed unable to meet the demands of water supply and closed. The passion project of architect and restaurateur Gerry Goldmyre, the property is divided over eight floors connected by a wrought iron spiral staircase, with the top floors opening out into a spacious studio with pitched ceiling.

The property can be leased for 1000 per month, and the only possible drawback is that the landlords, who say they would be choosy about who will take over their dream home, have set up home in the shadow of the landmark.

"It's far more important to get the right person - someone who appreciates what it is," said Mr Goldmyre, twice winner of BBC's Masterchef competition.

"A suitable tenant would be someone who enjoys peace, quiet, and excellent neighbours. No-one else lives within earshot apart from my wife and I. It would also be suited to someone who works from home as the spaces are conducive to architects or computer consultants among other professions - someone who cherishes living in a quirky piece of history and a grade B listed building."

Asked if it was a wrench to leave a property he had poured his heart and soul into, he replied: "It's massive. If we weren't moving to accommodation in our garden it would have been impossible."

Mr Goldmyre and his wife Susan lived in the water tower for two decades but in May moved into a 200,000 eco-conscious "safari lodge" in the garden of the structure.