The southwestern corner tower of the Kremlin was built in 1488 by architect Anton Fryazin. It played a key role in the Kremlin's defensive system, protecting the ford and the mouth of the Neglinnaya River. The tower's name is associated with the noble family Sviblo, whose members participated in its construction.

The Water Supply Tower had a well and a secret exit to the river. In 1633, Christoph Galovey installed a lifting machine in it, which supplied water through lead pipes to the Kremlin gardens. From 1672 to 1686, the tower was enhanced with a tiered upper section topped with a tent-like roof. Due to moisture from the well seeping into the masonry, the tower gradually deteriorated. In 1770, V.I. Bazhenov proposed its demolition, but did not receive permission. However, in 1805-1806, the tower had to be dismantled to its foundation and rebuilt according to the design of I.V. Yegotov.

In 1812, the Water Supply Tower was blown up by the French. It was restored in 1817-1819 under the guidance of O.I. Bove, adding classical and pseudo-Gothic elements to its design.

The lower part of the tower is massive, treated with rustication, decorated with decorative machicolations and large windows. The upper polygonal tier is crowned with a slender tent roof with dormers. The interior space of the tower has two tiers with dome ceilings. Above the upper fighting platform rises an open tent. In 1937, the top of the tower was adorned with a ruby star.

The height of the tower to the star is 57.7 meters, and with the star, it is 61.25 meters.