The tower was built in 1324 on the order of the Electoral Prince of Mainz. The Bürgerturm is octagonal in shape, about 14 meters high, and is made of rubble stone masonry.

In the past, the tower was named Gysenthorme (1436), later Geisenthorm, and in 1702 as the thick tower.

Since the tower was auctioned off in the 19th century, it came into private ownership. The Bürgerturm was extensively renovated in 2000/2001. The battlements can still be seen on the tower today and ran along the west side. Additionally, remnants of the city wall have survived at the Bürgerturm.

Since 1980, the tower has been designated as a monument. It is inhabited. The object "Bürgerturm in Oberlahnstein" is a registered architectural monument (Monument Register Rhein-Lahn-Kreis, p. 53).