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All South Africa Midrand Grand Central Water Tower
AO Edited

Grand Central Water Tower

A giant concrete Brutalist water tower in suburban Johannesburg.

Midrand, South Africa

Added By
Ashawnta Jackson
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The Brutalist-inspired Midrand water tower hold nearly two million gallons of water.   NJR ZA
The Brutalist-inspired Midrand water tower hold nearly two million gallons of water.   NJR ZA
This “urban sculpture” stands 131 feet.   NJR ZA
Taken on the Gautrain   gabri3l / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Though it may look like it, this cone-shaped concrete structure towering above the Johannesburg suburb of Midrand isn't an art installation. The Brutalist-inspired tower is operated by Johannesburg Water, stands 131 feet tall, and holds nearly 2 million gallons of water for the surrounding community.

Built in 1996 and designed by a local architecture firm, the Midrand water tower was a nod to a vanishing architecture movement, the boxy concrete of Brutalism. 

The giant concrete spiral rises up over the Midrand landscape. Only the top half of the tower is filled with water. The vacant areas were designed to hold commercial space. Its creators refer to the building as an "urban sculpture," and its spiraling, tornado-like form certainly makes it one of the most noticeable buildings in the area—and any area, really.

The building was recently featured in the book This Brutal World as an example of what Peter Chadwick, the book's author, calls "concrete, industrial landscapes."

Related Tags

Water Towers Architecture Brutalism Architectural Oddities Infrastructure
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Added By

Ashawnta

Edited By

arnomoller89, gabri3l

  • arnomoller89
  • gabri3l

Published

December 12, 2017

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Sources
  • https://structurae.net/literature/journal-article/grand-central-water-tower
  • http://www.gapp.net/single-post/1997/04/01/Grand-Central-Water-Tower-SAIA-Award-of-MERIT
  • https://thespaces.com/2016/07/14/this-brutal-house/
Grand Central Water Tower
0 New Rd
Midridge Park
Midrand, 1685
South Africa
-25.993642, 28.138875
Get Directions

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Africa

South Africa

Africa

Places 82
Stories 27

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Liliesleaf Farm Museum

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Africa

South Africa

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Places 82
Stories 27

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