This converted water tower home on the California coast is for sale for $5.5 million. (Mike Dew with Tourfactory)

The property at 1 Anderson St. in Surfside is steeped in history, originally built around 1892 to provide water to the steam engines that passed along the coast traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego. Once those steam engines disappeared, the water tower was decommissioned, and almost torn down a few years after the city of Seal Beach voted to do so in 1980. But locals rebelled against the demolition and instead, the tower was deconstructed and built back piece by piece into a unique single-family home. Some of the original materials were even used in the construction of the 87-foot-high abode, which was lifted back up by cranes.

This converted water tower home on the California coast is for sale for $5.5 million. (Mike Dew with Tourfactory)

"It's definitely an iconic property. It was just a water tower," John Simcoe, listing agent for the property, said in a phone call. "Now it has the best view on the coast for a residential property."

It's also possibly the second-tallest single-family residence in the country, reaching far above its neighbors with circular views up and down the coast.

This converted water tower home on the California coast is for sale for $5.5 million. (Mike Dew with Tourfactory)

The home itself is four stories, with four bedrooms and four bathrooms and an elevator that rises from the ground level. It was renovated again in 2017 and features a modern kitchen, a laundry room and a garage.

This converted water tower home on the California coast is for sale for $5.5 million. (Mike Dew with Tourfactory)

The space is full of whimsical touches. A model train snakes around the ceiling, a nod to the water tower's original use, and tools that workers once used in the 1940s decorate a wall. There's also a hidden room behind a bookcase that's used as a cozy extra bedroom. Another bedroom is decorated as an ode to a West Coast pirate.

This converted water tower home on the California coast is for sale for $5.5 million. (Mike Dew with Tourfactory)

The top floor features a compass rose in the floor and an open floor plan that lets you enjoy the view from all angles. There's also a wraparound deck.

The famed Sunset Beach water tower home comes with a conditional use permit that allows short-term rentals, and the property has been used primarily as a vacation rental and event space in recent years. It also is host to the nearby beach's Surfline camera.

This converted water tower home on the California coast is for sale for $5.5 million. (Mike Dew with Tourfactory)

This is just one of several converted water towers in the state. Some have been made into quirky hotels, single-family homes or even personal office spaces.