Have you ever noticed those stunning, mostly wooden, rustic-seeming water towers on the tops of buildings in New York? Even if you’ve never been to the Big Apple, you must have seen these in movies or on television. I love them. Like the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and Broadway shows, these are iconic New York. Too bad hardly anyone ever pays attention.
functional and beautiful NYC water tower hiding in plain sight
I’ve been a bit obsessed with water towers since I lived in the City years ago. Whenever I visit now, I always make a point of seeking them out. Of course they’re everywhere. New York requires that every building six floors or higher be equipped with its own. You can read more about it here or here.
More than antiquated decoration, these have a practical purpose. The City water distribution system got devised long before anyone knew how tall the buildings would eventually become. It is not equipped to deliver water that high, so water towers do the trick of supplying water to every building using gravity.
5 Avenue water tower
just like New Yorkers, water towers are everywhere
If you’re watching out for them, they’re difficult to miss. Just look up, far up, and there they are. We went to the top of the Empire State Building on our recent visit and I was amazed to see so many of them on almost every roof in all directions. Of course, Manhattan is a tall town. Look at the next pic. I think it is poetic.
Empire State Building view of water towers
this golden water tower looks almost new
I’m not alone in noticing these underrated architectural wonders. A British artist, Rachel Whiteread, created a really cool one that sits atop the Museum of Modern Art. You can see it quite well from the MoMA gardens. Commissioned by the Public Art Fund in 1998, it was originally displayed on a rooftop in the SoHo area of NYC. The artist called this work “a jewel on the skyline of Manhattan.” It is indeed a jewel: transparent and light, contrasting with the other mostly dark and heavier look of its numerous water tower brothers and sisters.
Rachel Whiteread's jewel like water tower at the Museum of Modern Art
After all this traipsing around New York in search of water towers, what could be better than a little sweet? Fortunately MoMA offers more than art to feast your eyes on. Following our tower-watching and general admiring of modern art, it was time for a bite. Too pooped to leave the museum, we opted for a lovely lunch at the second floor café. It is Italian style, like a lot of New York restaurants. We had some wonderful savory dishes followed by a tiny fruit dessert and a new favorite, affogato. This understated elegant delight is a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sometimes classic is best for quenching the thirst and reviving the taste buds. Affogato, a bite of berry cake and a tall glass of refreshing water were perfect.
affogato and berry cake make a perfect treat after all this culture
Check out more water tower pictures here
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It’s so funny that you mention the water towers! I was in New York about a week and a half ago and I just realized that I didn’t notice a single water tower! I will definitely be on the lookout next time though. 😉 Affogata and berry cake sound like the perfect treat!
How cool! I’ve always noticed the watertowers but I thought they were leftover relics. I didn’t know they still had a purpose. And beautiful shots! I love the cafe at MoMA. I haven’t been to NYC since 2007 but glad to hear the cafe is still a treat.
I love water towers. It’s even better when I’m not rushing around and actually have time to soak them in. Get it…water…soak… *sigh*
But srsly, I do love them too. Great post!
I’m going to have to look out for these water towers, I think my problem is my beady little eyes only seem to seek food, but this is fascinating.
Am loving your cake section. Affogato is a real favorite of hubbykins.
*kisses* HH
I’ve never stopped to watch them with such interest. However, after reading your article I will pay closer attention. As a child I used to be impressed with their height and the amount of water some of them can hold. On hot days I imagined how much fun it would have been if I could dive into one of them. Thanks for sharing!
i haven’t really noticed the water towers before! but yesterday, i watched in america, and noticed them then 😀 p.s. affogato…. so delicious. right up there with the undertow. MMM!
I lived in New York for three months in the late eighties but don’t remember these; however, they have them in Beirut; I noticed the one on our neighbor’s building was leaking last summer. Well, what a great idea if artists were commissioned to design them! Unfortunately, most folks these days in Beirut are too busy destroying old mansions and building tall buildings to replace them.
Affogatto is my favorite italian treat. With a lot of crema on top, please!
What a great post and what lovely photos. I loved the water tower tour of NYC, and I know you just touched the surface. Thanks for the wonderful break.
Love your cool pictures of the water towers! And the affogato with the little berry cake looks heavenly.