A property advert in Merseyside has become an internet sensation due to one particularly extraordinary feature. Julie Williams’s residence in Birkdale, Southport, boasts all the conventional spaces; seven bedrooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, and two bathrooms.
However, there’s one remarkable addition that sets it apart from any other property – a purpose-built play pit containing approximately 11,300 plastic balls situated adjacent to the master bedroom. IT consultant Julie revealed that the eccentric feature had brought tremendous happiness to her family, telling the BBC: “You can never be sad in a ball pit.”
She explained she was motivated to transform the area into the recreational facility after watching video clips of a comparable one in supermodel-turned-actress Cara Delevingne’s Los Angeles home.
Julie went on: “No-one really thinks about the idea of putting a ball pit in their own house.”
She mentioned that she remains uncertain whether it will remain a ball pit once she relocates.
“If the new owners want to keep it, it’s been built in, it makes sense,” she said.
The inspiration for Julie’s ball-pit originated from a YouTube video tour of Cara Delevingne’s Los Angeles residence which was characterised by Architectural Digest as “St-Tropez meets Coney Island meets Cotswolds cottage meets Monte Carlo meets butch leather bar.”
Cara’s distinctive residence was designed by architect, Nicolò Bini, and alongside the now-viral ball pit, it features a dedicated fancy-dress room, a poker tent and trampolines. Cara told The Guardian: “If I’m having a bad day, I just hop in the ball pit. You can’t really cry in a ball pit.”
Julie’s residence is somewhat less extravagant than the Hollywood A-lister’s, yet it remains an extraordinary dwelling.
Property agents Bailey Estates, marketing the home for £799,995, describe it as: “This striking Victorian property is steeped in history and brimming with quirky magnetism, from the moment you step through the stylish front door you get the sense that what lies within is something very special indeed.
“Set over four floors, this home offers a wealth of versatile space throughout.”
Whilst it cannot compete with the extraordinary array of amenities in Cara Delevingne’s residence, Julie’s Southport dwelling also boasts a table-tennis table in its garden.
Julie finsihed building her personal ball pit in March last year, inaugurating it by throwing a champagne celebration for several mates.
“It’s great,” she said, “This is the new relaxation method for mums and dads. Get a ball pit and hide away from the children.”
Jack Bushrod, who operates the housinghorrors TikTok account, confessed he wasn’t certain whether the distinctive feature had been installed for Julie or her offspring, but regardless, in his view, it’s “pretty bloody cool”.
However, he acknowledged it was “bonkers”, noting it would never have crossed his mind to alter the space in such a manner, and it’s quite an unforeseen addition – particularly since the remainder of the property appears “relatively normal.”