Many of these homes are converted warehouses where goods would be hoisted to different floors. The warehouses were built with a slight tilt to prevent the goods from damaging the building’s façade on the way up or down. That approach was copied in other buildings as well. One theory is that a leaning building prevented rain water from soaking and damaging the wood or masonry. Another reason has been proposed as well. During the Golden Age, gables became a status symbol. The more elaborate the gable, the richer the homeowner could be assumed to be. A building that slightly leans allowed passersby to more easily see the display of wealth. That said, some buildings tilt — whichever way — because the foundation has been damaged. Often such damage is due to fluctuating groundwater levels. This is one of the most popular questions in the Amsterdam FAQ.