Buyers: bring $11M and your bathing suit

Today in unusual architectural decisions: the Chelsea townhouse with a 15-by-30-foot pool in the living room. Installed in 1975, the eight-foot-deep pool is surrounded by granite floors and living room furniture. Evelyn McMurray Van-Zeller, the European owner of the $10.995 million home, calls it a “trophy property,” because, she asks, “who doesn’t want to say they have a swimming pool in their living room?” Probably some people, but Van-Zeller’s three turtles and Yorkshire terrier have been enjoying it — she says they “sometimes go for a dip.” The six-bedroom townhouse is split into three apartments, two of which Van-Zeller rents out for $4,000 and $5,000 per month. Core’s Maggie Kent and David Roger Grossman have the listing. [WSJ]