High above Stellingen, a brick giant watches over us. That is the Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen. It is not just a building. The Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen is a symbol of a community’s ingenuity. It shows its transformation over time.
Let’s step back to the early 20th century. Stellingen was a growing community. It was near Hamburg and Altona. The population boomed and businesses flourished. This growth demanded a reliable water supply. Around 1910, resourceful minds drilled several wells. They found usable water at 18 meters deep in two wells. A diesel pump was installed. It could pump 120 cubic meters per hour. But they needed more than just a pump. They needed a way to balance water usage and store reserves.
So, construction began on the Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen in 1911. It finished in 1912. Max Stirn from Cologne designed it. Ludwig and Hermann Mannes managed the construction. They also built the Lokstedt water tower. The Stellingen tower stood 47.59 meters tall. It supplied water to Stellingen, Langenfelde, Niendorf, and Eidelstedt. Water meters ensured fair billing at the community borders.
Notice the tower’s unique design. Its southwest front looks like a grand town house. This distinguishes it from other water towers. Vertical bands accent the walls up to the stepped gable. The roof was covered in copper. The areas around the water tank were plastered. Originally, an observation deck sat above the tank. People enjoyed panoramic views. The base had a terraced garden with open staircases.
Inside the Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen was an iron tank. It held 600 cubic meters of water. The highest water level was 32.5 meters above ground. The Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen was vital for Stellingen’s water system. In 1927, Altona took control of Stellingen’s water supply. Later, it became part of the Hamburg waterworks.
The Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen operated until 1974. It was the last Hamburg water tower in service. Modern electric pumps made it obsolete. In 1979, the Hamburg waterworks sold the tower. A housing company bought it for 300,000 DM. The tower was converted into apartments by 1981.
Since the Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen was not protected as a historical landmark, major changes happened. A staircase and elevator tower were added. The observation deck and water tank were removed. Eleven floors of apartments were created. Large windows were added. The original gardens were removed. Townhouses were built in their place.
Today, the Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen remains a landmark. It stands as a residential building. A bronze relief is at the tower’s base. It reads: “From the depths, spring floods rise to the height, the earth-born blessed generations. For the benefit of Stellingen-Langenfelde, the community created its waterworks in 1911.”
The Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen has witnessed much. It saw Stellingen’s growth. It saw its integration into Hamburg. It has been a water tower and now apartments. The Wasserturm Hamburg-Stellingen is a testament to change and progress. It reminds us of the past while embracing the present.