West Water Tower: towering over Groningen

Although Watertoren West is now a fully-fledged hotel, the water tower’s distinctive features are still evident throughout the building. The listed building contains two water tanks which, together, could hold almost 1.8 million litres of water. The tanks are now used as flats and office spaces. In some flats, for example, the blue tank forms the ceiling. On the tank, you can still see exactly where repairs were once carried out, as indicated by the patches of slightly different blue paint. Expect large windows, authentic shutters and a stunning view over the city of Groningen.

The upper tank houses office spaces and a bar. The offices are situated within the oldest water tank, which is why the walls are made of steel. This gives the spaces a rugged, industrial feel. Right at the top of the tower, in the sky bar, you’ll find the best views. The roof has been opened up so that you can see the roof structure when you look up. There is also a nesting box here for the peregrine falcon that soars around the area. Via a live feed, you can watch the nest of this fastest bird in the world on a screen.

The tower was built in 1912 and has served various purposes over the years. As well as serving as a water tower and a hotel, it was also used as a watchtower by the Germans during the Second World War. From the tower, they watched for the Canadian soldiers who came to liberate the city of Groningen in 1945. A fierce firefight broke out during that liberation, in which the Canadians fired on the water tower with a cannon. This caused a leak in one of the water tanks, and water gushed out. Evidence of this shelling can still be seen in the hotel. In the toilet on the seventh floor, there is a bullet hole through which you can look straight out. A number of apartments in the hotel have been named in honour of Canadian soldiers who died during the battle for the water tower.

At Watertoren West, you can’t have breakfast or go for a swim in the pool, as this is a genuine business hotel. Consequently, they don’t have rooms here, but apartments. The apartments are spacious and feature a fully equipped kitchen. This makes them an attractive option for a longer stay.

At the top of the hotel, you can hold meetings, work and take part in team-building activities. There are various workspaces available for hire. In addition, the hotel plans to operate on a subscription-based model. This will allow freelancers and businesses to work for a fixed fee whilst enjoying a stunning view from the tower. Furthermore, the sky bar at the top can be hired for team-building events and Friday afternoon drinks. In this way, the water tower offers a place to stay overnight, network, work and enjoy a drink.

On the ground floor of the tower, you’ll find the reception area, as well as an exhibition space. Thanks to the tower’s original concrete structure, the space between the original pillars seems tailor-made for displaying art. At the moment, a collection of beautiful paintings by Joost Doornik is on display. Some of these paintings have a Groningen theme; for example, you can spot the Vismarkt on one of the canvases. This exhibition is temporary, and different artists will be exhibiting their work on a rotating basis. The space also features original blueprints of the water tower. The exhibition space is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 17:00.