Riyadh Water Tower

The Riyadh Water Tower, or Burj al-Khazzaan, is a water tank shaped like an inverted pyramid, elevated on a cylindrical concrete base, and it stands at a height of sixty-one m. It was constructed in 1971 in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to enhance the water pressure in the city's network at that time. The tower has a capacity of twelve thousand m³. Its construction was overseen by the then-Ministry of Agriculture and Water, (now the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture).

The tower, with its design reminiscent of a mushroom, is a visual icon in the capital, Riyadh, and stands among its earliest modern landmarks. Its construction dates back to a time when most of Riyadh's streets were unpaved.

Unlike the conventional practice of erecting towers from the ground up, the Riyadh Water Tower took a reverse approach to its construction. It commenced by first constructing its upper section, comprised of two water chambers, and subsequently proceeded to raise the tank atop the tower's base until the entire structure was finished.

King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud initiated the tower's construction near al-Murabba Palace in 1970, as part of the first development plan to address the water demands of Riyadh's inhabitants and ensure water accessibility for all the expanding neighborhoods due to the city's rapid growth.

The Riyadh Water Tower's design bears a resemblance to the water towers in Kuwait. A German company worked on implementing it, while the design was conceptualized by the Swedish designer Son Lindstrom.

The Riyadh Water Tower is composed of an inverted conical top, housing two water storage chambers. After rigorous testing of the tank's insulation and endurance, it was hoisted by thirty-two cranes. The tower's lower column was constructed in a cylindrical form and adorned with two vertical stripes in gray and white.

Additionally, the tower boasts a rooftop restaurant offering a view of various parts of Riyadh's neighborhoods. The restaurant underwent a redesign to feature a cafe and a balcony.

The road flanking the Riyadh Water Tower is locally referred to as al-Khazan Street. The tower is located on King Saud Road in al-Futah Neighborhood, one of Riyadh's oldest central neighborhoods. The tower later became an integral component of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, following the development of al-Murabba Palace area, thereby becoming part of the center's historical and cultural structures.

Later, al-Watan Park was established around the tower. It was inaugurated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2005 when he was Prince of Riyadh. This park is known as the Water Tower Park.