Newly Restored Wash Heights Water Tower Unveiled In Ceremony

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Seven years after the restoration project started, and more than a decade since the public was able to get close enough to the structure for a tour, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Wednesday morning for the completed renovations of the stone-built Highbridge Water Tower in Washington Heights.

The tower is located within High Bridge Park near the Amsterdam Avenue entrance at West 174th Street.

The $5 million restoration project, funded by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, repaired the tower's roof, masonry, wooden handrails, flooring and cast-iron staircase, installed new windows, and added new window guards and interior lighting.

Rodriguez was at the event on Wednesday along with Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa, and Community Board 12 Chair Eleazar Bueno.

"I hope that the Highbridge Water Tower can become a place where local residents and New Yorkers visiting Northern Manhattan can enjoy the magnificent aerial view," Rodriguez tweeted out.

I hope that the Highbridge Water Tower can become a place where local residents and New Yorkers visiting Northern Manhattan can enjoy the magnificent aerial view.

Proud to be joined by @NYCParks Commissioner Fialkoff, @galeabrewer, @CnDelarosa, and community residents today. pic.twitter.com/DyFLVxeYUk
— Ydanis Rodriguez (@ydanis) October 27, 2021

The NYC Parks Rangers will begin leading free tours inside the Highbridge Water Tower starting in November.

The tower is closed for public access at all other times.