The Ruhr region is characterised by its industrial architecture. But many landmarks of the industrial age no longer have a function and today look out of place in the cityscape. An example is the water tower in Bredeney, a lively district in south Essen. In 2002, an architects’ office transformed the water tower into a residential tower, creating individual apartments and office spaces on nine levels. As a result, the tower was resuscitated and integrated into the district as a modern living space. At the same time, the region’s industrial identity was preserved in the present.