Apartment Built Inside Swimming Pool Goes Viral

A unique apartment in Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills neighborhood is taking TikTok by storm. The Williams, a historic 94-year-old building once known as the W.J. Williams YMCA, has been converted into 29 distinctive apartments. Among these, two units are particularly unusual, as they are built inside a former swimming pool.

City Center Properties, which owns The Williams, has repurposed the old pool area into a cozy living space. The once-watery expanse now features carpeted floors and a kitchen, with a loft above that serves as a potential bedroom. The apartment also includes one-and-a-half bathrooms. Photos on the property website show the creative transformation, blending historic charm with modern comforts.

Two Apartment Units Built Directly Inside an Old YMCA Swimming Pool

This unique setup caught the attention of TikTok user @vidswlyds, whose video tour has racked up over 1.3 million views and more than 165,000 likes. In her video, she marvels, “I can’t decide if that’s the coolest thing ever or if it’s really weird. You have people over and they’re like, ‘You live in a pool?’ I don’t know, why is that kind of cool?”

The Williams also features apartments within what used to be a basketball court, further highlighting the building’s distinctive character. This imaginative use of space has captivated social media and showcased the clever ways historic buildings can be adapted for modern living.

Interactive 🎥: Take a tour of this apartment built inside a swimming pool.

In 2016, The Williams was added to the National Register of Historic Places and Cincinnati’s list of local historic landmarks. The Tudor Revival structure, designed by architect Charles Cellarius, opened in 1930 and closed in 2011. Originally, the upper floors housed a dormitory for 68 residents, reflecting the architectural style of the late 1920s and early 1930s.

This viral sensation is reminiscent of another TikTok story from last year. Emily Henry, an artist from Arkansas, discovered a hidden pool and hot tub beneath the floorboards of her home during renovations. She shared her find on TikTok, sparking excitement and skepticism among viewers. Instead of restoring the pool, Henry transformed the space into a beautiful atrium, blending the old with the new in a similarly captivating way.

Both stories highlight the trend of uncovering and repurposing hidden spaces, merging history with modern living in creative and surprising ways. As The Williams continues to capture attention, it stands as a testament to the allure of architectural innovation and the endless possibilities within historic buildings.

Photo Credit: City Center Properties