South Florida was just as shocked as the rest of the sporting world when LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to join the Miami Heat in July, but a banner year for Miami sports has turned into a solid one for the higher-end real estate market, with Miami Heat’s Big Three — James, Bosh and Dwyane Wade — leading a year of high-profile purchases and sales by local athletes.
The Heat stars weren’t the only ones buying or selling high-end properties in South Florida — athletes from baseball, football and basketball have purchased some of the area’s biggest and most expensive homes in 2010, led by Chris Bosh:
1. Chris Bosh buys on North Bay Road for $12.5 million
Chris Bosh
He may be the third member of the Miami Heat’s Big Three, but Chris Bosh was the MVP of the Miami sport scene’s real estate market this year, paying $12.5 million for a 12,000-square-foot home on North Bay Road in Miami Beach. The former Toronto Raptors star snapped up the home for $3.5 million less than the listing price. The seller was Glenna Norton, the developer of the property.
2. Rony Seikaly sells on North Bay Road for $11.5 million
Rony Seikaly and his North Bay Road home
Former NBA player Rony Seikaly, a center for several teams, including the Heat, sold his home on athlete-popular North Bay Road for $11.5 million earlier this month. The 9,300-square-foot home, which was built in 2005, was sold to Brightstar CEO Marcelo Claure. The original asking price was $15 million.
3. Dwyane Wade buys on La Gorce Island for $10.65 million
Dwyane Wade and his new home on La Gorce Island
Dwyane Wade chose to stay in South Florida this summer after considering a move to the Chicago Bulls, and finally settled on a new home in November. Wade, the Miami Heat’s star shooting guard, shelled out $10.65 million for a Miami Beach home on tony La Gorce Island. Insurance executive Mel Harris was the seller.
4. LeBron James finds Coconut Grove bayfront mansion for $9 million
LeBron James and his Coconut Grove house
New Heat sensation LeBron James moved to a 20,000-square-foot Coconut Grove mansion on the bay. James purchased the home through Suite 823 Investments Florida, with registered agent Frederick Nance of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, nabbing the property for $9 million. James’ broker was Ashley Michelle-Velez of Pure Investments.
5. Boozer sells Grove home for $5.5 million
Bulls star Carlos Boozer and his former Grove home
Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer sold his Coconut Grove home in early July for $5.5 million. The 7,002-square-foot home was built in 1996 and renovated 10 years later. Boozer, who played the previous six years for the Utah Jazz, formerly owned a home at Jade Brickell, which he sold in 2006.
6. Brandon Marshall buys in Broward for $4.15 million
Brandon Marshall
The Dolphins’ Brandon Marshall, who joined the team this season after a trade from Denver, bought a home in Broward County’s Southwest Ranches for $4.15 million, following fellow Dolphin Karlos Dansby. The 17,034-square-foot house was purchased directly from the developer of Landmark Ranch Estates Nov. 22. The home includes a full basketball court in the backyard.
7. Dolphins’ Karlos Dansby buys in Southwest Ranches for $3.4 million
Karlos Dansby
Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby found a home for $3.4 million in the Southwest Ranches development of Landmark Ranch Estates in June. The 10,825-square-foot home sits on 2.35 acres and was constructed in 2007.
8. Mike Piazza sells Portofino condo for $2.88 million
Mike Piazza and his former Murano at Portofino condo
Former New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza, who also spent a week with the Florida Marlins in 1998, sold his condo at Murano at Portofino in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood in December. The unit was listed for $3.8 million and closed for $2.88 million.