This $5.4 million tree house is baffling the internet

Homes that feature an internal tree can be incredibly beautiful when executed well, but this viral California home isn’t one them.

Popular Twitter account Zillow Gone Wild has discovered the bizarre property and is having a field day over the listing photos.

Described accurately as a “once in a lifetime opportunity,” the estate sits on a huge 6.69 acres in Pismo Beach, three hours north of Los Angeles. It’s asking USD $3.8 million (AUD $5.4 million).

The compound has an assortment of different housing structures – including a cave for storing wine – with one dwelling dubbed an “actual tree house”, which has been attracting attention for its strange appearance.

It’s not the architectural feature or whimsical vibe you may expect.

The tree contorts through multiple areas of the main living area, twisting ominously from beneath and through the ceiling, enveloping itself around walls like tentacles.

A seat has even been fashioned out of the top of one of the thick branches on the upper level, adding to the eccentricity.

The “most literal tree house we’ve ever seen” post has become one Zillow Gone Wild’s most viral, with over 112,000 likes.

“I bet that thing leaks like a sieve,” one user commented.

“My first thought: ANTS. So. Many. Ants,” another said.

Others were completely baffled that a tree house was filled with carpet.

“So a literal tree house, but instead of the expected hardwood flooring they go with ugly carpet.”

Of course, the main concern is that the house will eventually be “wrecked” by the tree, and that it has a shelf life.

“Can’t wait for that root structure to destroy the foundation,” one user tweeted.

Built in the 1960s, this property has remained in the same family for decades. There are multiple other accommodation options on the sprawling property, a few making the listing even more unique than the tree house.

So if you’re not keen on maneuvering around tree branches for a midnight bathroom trip, perhaps the large museum or cave house would be more to your liking.

The five different dwelling units include the one-bed tree house, a large museum with a studio and one-bedroom apartment, a carriage house with a two-bedroom apartment, two more studio apartments (one is a shed) and a two-bed main house with rock fireplace.

“Each home has wooded settings and private yards and decks set amongst this oak studded lot tucked into a beautiful, private coastal canyon,” explains the listing.

There are parking areas near all the units, as well as a parking lot with room for at least a dozen cars and an outdoor restroom/shower building. There are two RV sites with hookups and many more RV sites with room to park all of your toys.

Additional features include two sea train containers that are used as workshop areas and a Zen yoga platform situated next to a seasonal creek, tucked into the wooded hillside.

Of course, we can’t forget about the 18-metre deep manmade cave, “perfect for storing wine.”

The estate would be suited to multiple families or a quirky Airbnb – there’s one building with signage that reads The Good Old Days and screams tourist destination.

But some users on the Twitter post believe that the USD $3.8 million price tag is less than what the land would even be worth, with it being almost seven acres one mile from the beach.

They believe the price has factored in the cost of demolition with one user labelling it “a steal”.