LeBron James heading to Gables Estates?

LeBron James has not even officially signed yet, but all eyes are pointed on his next move: what neighborhood of Miami he intends to “take his talents” to.

While this next decision likely won’t garner its own television special, rumors are that the scene will be Coral Gables, specifically the exclusive Gables Estates community.

“The speculation is he’s looking in Coral Gables,” said Chris Basick, a realtor with Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell. “It’s just a question of his preference.”

Daniel de la Vega, a broker with One Sotheby’s in Coral Gables, said his office was currently in talks with James‘ people.

“We had some talks, and we’re building a relationship with him,” he said. “But everything about him making offers already is not true. We’re beginning negotiations with his people, but we haven’t exactly taken him anywhere yet.”

De la Vega said he thought James could end up in Gables Estates.

“They’re nice big lots — they’re all at least an acre; it’s on the water; it’s a gated community.”

But it’s certainly possible that he could find a spot on Miami Beach. And he’s not alone — fellow Heat superstar Dwyane Wade, too, is looking for a new home in Miami.

Realtor Nelson Gonzalez, who recommended the home at 1647 North View Road on Sunset Island #1 in Miami Beach for LeBron, said he was in talks with the agent that is working with Wade, who was not named.

“I’ve already shown his agent several houses dating back to three or four months as well,” he said. As for James, Gonzalez said it was early to say.

“I’m not sure LeBron’s ready to make a move and buy something this quickly. I’m sure he’s going to come here first and get the lay of the land.”

But Rumors continue to swirl that James is looking at sales listings in the Bayfront portion of Coral Gables, home to Gables Estates.

There are currently seven properties listed for sale by EWM in Gables Estates on Multiple Listing System, with the most expensive being a 14,946-square-foot home with an asking price of $17.9 million. The next-highest is a 5,980-square-foot, five-bedroom home offered for around $7.7 million. There is also a home listed by Avatar Realty in the development for $49.5 million.  

Several of the top Gables Estates homes are listed with EWM’s Jo-Ann Forster, although Carleen Smith, a realtor associate with Forster’s team, said while she had heard the Gables Estates rumor, she had not heard it from anyone at the firm.

“I also heard the rumor [of James looking in Gables Estates],” said broker Consuelo Stewart of Shelton & Stewart in South Miami, who is currently showing homes in Gables Estates and in nearby and equally ritzy, Cocoplum. She said former Heat center Shaquille O’Neal, who is currently a free agent, had also looked in the area until choosing his home on Star Island when he first came to the Heat.

“What I heard, and I don’t know if it is true, is that he’s looking at a house in Gables Estates. He wants a big house and a couple of those houses are pretty big. There’s a lot of speculation. A lot of people would like to get a client like him. He has the cash, for sure.”