NBA Star LeBron James Expands Beverly Hills Estate Plans

What’s better than one home fit for a king? How about two?

LeBron James is building not one, but two houses at his Beverly Hills compound, Realtor.com reported. The NBA legend purchased a 1930s manse at the site in 2020 for $37 million and demolished it to make way for his new estate.

“King James” received approval to split the 2.7-acre property at 9955 Beverly Grove Drive into two separate parcels, according to new planning documents reviewed by Realtor.com. Both lots will get a house, connected by a shared driveway complete with a 200-square-foot private security guard house at the entrance. Additional security measures include an intricate alarm system and 10-foot-tall fencing around the perimeter of the two properties.

The larger of the two homes will span nearly 24,000 square feet, including 16,000 square feet across two stories as well as a 7,700-square-foot basement garage and pool. The ground floor will also have a two-level garage. Other amenities include an outdoor kitchen and solar panels to provide constant power to the property even in the event of a grid outage.

The second home will be a 6,550-square-foot, one-story structure. It will boast a theater, terrace, courtyard and wellness area featuring hot and cold plunge pools, as well as a ground-level garage with space for two cars.

Crest Real Estate and architecture firm Walker Workshop are bringing the project to fruition. The latter has helped design luxury properties across the Los Angeles region.

Construction at the Beverly Hills compound began in 2023 after James secured planning approvals for the estate. A timeline for completion is unclear. The Los Angeles Lakers star is currently sharing the court with his son Bronny in what could be James senior’s last season in the NBA before retirement.

This isn’t the first time James knocked down a home to build something bigger and better. His home in Akron, Ohio, which he purchased at 18 years old in 2003 after being the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, was leveled to make way for a mansion estimated to be worth more than $10 million. That property spans 30,000 square feet and has six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms plus a bowling alley, recording studio, barbershop and two-story closet.

— Chris Malone Méndez