LeBron James has begun construction on his dream Beverly Hills home, having demolished the lavish $36.8 million mansion he purchased in September 2020.
After a two-year legal wrangle, the NBA legend has finally received the green light to begin work on the plot of land. Builders have flocked to the site this week to get the delayed project up and running.
In exclusive images obtained by DailyMail.coм, the sheer size of the build is revealed, with mounds of dirt taking the place of the mansion where Katharine Hepburn lived in the prime of her career.
The 1930s property was first owned by Hollywood actor Charles Boyer, and then ultimately acquired by Howard Hughes, who leased it to Hepburn. After Hepburn moved out, the home was owned by non-celebrities for many years until 1986 when it was purchased for $2.9 million by The Young And the Restless creators William Brent Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.
Before it was demolished, the land was home to a huge mansion where Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn used to live.
The original home, built in the 1930s, was first owned by Hollywood actor Charles Boyer. However, it no longer exists.
Other amenities included multiple al fresco dining and entertaining areas, as well as a lighted tennis court with a viewing pavilion.
When he eventually walks off the court for the final time, James has openly expressed his desire to own an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas. After playing in a preseason game in Sin City last year, he said of the location: “It’s wonderful. It’s the best fanbase in the world, and I would love to bring a team here at some point. That would be amazing. I know Adam [Silver] is in Abu Dhabi right now, I believe, with the Bucks and Atlanta, but he probably sees every single interview and transcript that comes through from NBA players, so I want the team here, Adam, thank you.”
The NBA star seems to be signaling his desire to stay in Los Angeles for the long term as he builds his brand new property.
Another angle of the property reveals the sheer size of the project, with many builders already working on the build. LeBron bought the property in September 2020, but it appears he had very different plans for the famous home, immediately obtaining permission to demolish it a few years shy of its 100th birthday.
The land included multiple buildings on a massive 2.5-acre plot, on which James will now sculpt his dream property, demonstrating his commitment to staying long-term in Los Angeles beyond the end of his playing career. The property is also secured by one of the largest driveway gates in Los Angeles.
The NBA legend is currently considering his options after the Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in May.
Builders arrived this week to begin work on the huge plot of land, which used to be home to a beautiful mansion.
After Hepburn moved out, the home was owned by non-celebrities for many years until 1986, when it was bought for $2.9 million.
James’ son Bronny is also an up-and-coming basketball star, and he will attend the University of Southern California this year. But regardless of whether that plan comes to fruition, James has certainly made a big commitment to the city of Los Angeles, with the purchase of the land and his plans to build his perfect home in Beverly Hills.
The next few years will also likely see his son Bronny – and potentially his second son Bryce – grace the NBA court as they continue their rise through the ranks. Bronny recently signed with the University of Southern California, keeping him in the close vicinity of his dad’s new work-in-progress mansion.
USC is less than a 30-minute, 10-mile drive from the Beverly Hills home – another reason LeBron may be keen to stay in town for the foreseeable future.
On the court, James has been in Los Angeles for five seasons – and clearly sees his long-term future in the California city.
James, currently weighing up his NBA future, poses with his wife Savannah at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.