Dive in: Manhattan townhouse for sale has pool in living room

The Federal-style townhouse is a dream home for anyone who’s always wanted 30,000 gallons of water in their living room.

The Manhattan home, called a “trophy, bragging-rights property” by its owner, could be yours for $10.955 million US.

Watch video on the WSJ website.

Owner Evelyn McMurray Van-Zeller inherited the unique space from her brother 11 years ago. She was living in Europe at the time.

“This is a complicated house to inherit,” she told the Wall Street Journal.

On the main floor of the home, granite flooring, brick walls and living room furniture surround an eight-feet deep, 15-by-30-foot pool.

Hanging artwork on the brick wall above the pool was no easy task. Evelyn rowed out to a 25-foot ladder in the middle of the pool in a small raft.

"Improvisation is very important when you have a house like this," she said. "The good news is that if you fall off, you fall into the pool."

Despite the ongoing pool maintenance, Evelyn says the home, with its pool, sauna and gym, makes her feel like she’s “on permanent holiday.” Still, she’s ready to downsize locally — living in Manhattan only part-time — and move back to Europe.

The five-storey Chelsea townhouse has been divided into a triplex, with two apartments on the top floors currently renting for $4,000 and $5,000 US. In total, the townhouse has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, five fireplaces and a garden with a small turtle-friendly pool.

For a little over $10 million US, year-round pool parties in Manhattan are possible.

Posting Source: http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/dive-in--manhattan-townhouse-for-sale-has-pool-in-living-room.html