First look: Inside Semaphore Water Tower’s redevelopment into luxury apartment and short-stay accommodation

See inside the multimillion-dollar transformation of a historic water tower – and find out what it will be used for.

Semaphore’s iconic water tower is getting a new lease of life as it undergoes a multimillion-dollar transformation – and the Advertiser has had an exclusive first look inside.

The tower, built in 1880, will be transformed into short-term accommodation and a historical monument over the next 18 months.

So far, demolition has begun to remove any damaged and unsafe material from the site, and work has started on installing a dumbwaiter into the tower — to save carrying things up the planned 20m, 136 step spiral staircase.

The tower was once used to maintain water supply to the surrounding area when the Jervois Bridge across the Port River would open for ships, shutting off water mains.

Work has begun on the inside of the Semaphore Water Tower to turn it into a short stay luxury accommodation. Picture: Sam Lowe

An artist's render of the completed Semaphore Water Tower redevelopment. Picture: Supplied

Daniel Johnson bought the tower in 2018 for $1.2m with plans to convert it.

He has since been working with Claridge Construction and Black Rabbit Architecture and Interiors to bring his dream to life.

Black Rabbit director Mike Sheidow said it was “pretty exciting” to see work starting in and around the tower.

“I can’t wait to see this space transformed,” Mr Sheidow said.

Claridge Construction owner Peter Claridge with Black Rabbit Architecture and Interiors' Mike Sheidow at the Semaphore Water Tower. Picture: Supplied

Claridge Construction’s Angela Wicks said the “in your face” range/brown carpet from the 1980s had already been ripped out, and wooden frames were starting to go up for the rooms.

The “bigger than Ben-Hur” project has received “really positive support” from the Semaphore community, state heritage, and the local council, Claridge Construction owner Peter Claridge said.

When finished, the project – called The Vantage – will transform the four-storey octagonal tower and its surrounding area into short-stay accommodation.

One luxury apartment would occupy the tower, with six two-bedroom homes behind it.

Originally published as First look: Inside Semaphore Water Tower’s redevelopment into luxury apartment and short-stay accommodation