Real Estate Buzz: Lavish Homes Owned by NBA Icons, Film Directors, and Even Ernest Hemingway Enter the Market

Celebrity Real Estate Unveiled: High-Profile Homes Hit the Market Across the U.S.

TOPLINE: From a lavish Miami mansion to an upscale Atlanta condo, notable actors and professional athletes are swiftly putting their luxury properties up for sale.

 

KEY FACTS:

  • Caroline Wozniacki and David Lee’s Miami Beach Penthouse: Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and former NBA player David Lee have listed their sophisticated Miami Beach penthouse for $42.5 million. The property, represented by Dina Goldentayer and Douglas Elliman, boasts five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a marble kitchen island, a private rooftop pool, and a bar with scenic waterfront views.

  • Tyler Perry’s Stately Mansion: Actor Tyler Perry’s opulent mansion, featured in “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” is on the market for $6 million and is likely to go up for auction this year. Spanning 16,500 square feet, the residence includes six bedrooms, marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, a theater, gym, infinity pool, and al fresco dining area.

  • Rex Tillerson’s D.C. Townhouse: Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has listed his four-bedroom, 5,709-square-foot Washington, D.C. townhouse for $6.5 million, a million dollars more than his purchase price.

  • Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia Penthouse: NBA all-star Joel Embiid is selling his two-story Philadelphia penthouse for $5.5 million. The penthouse features two bedrooms, a rooftop pool, and skyline views.

  • Ernest Hemingway’s Former Chicago Residence: The 1895 Chicago property that once housed writer Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson, is on the market for $2 million after 55 years. The property includes two studio apartments, a five-bedroom main house, and a three-bedroom coach house with a two-car garage.

  • Michael Soroka’s Atlanta Townhome: Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Soroka is selling his three-bedroom townhome in Atlanta for $1.15 million. The townhome features a gourmet kitchen, custom built-ins, and a workout room.

This $42.5 million home has been listed in Miami Beach by tennis star Caroline Wozniacki former NBA ... [+]DINA GOLDENTAYER/LEGENDARY PRODUCTIONS

This $42.5 million home has been listed in Miami Beach by tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and former ... [+]DINA GOLDENTAYER/LEGENDARY PRODUCTIONS

SIGNIFICANT FIGURE: $190 million. This staggering sum represents the acquisition cost of a Malibu property by power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z, securing the top spot for the most expensive home sold in 2023, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Noteworthy entries on the list include a Palm Beach residence purchased by luxury car dealer Michael Cantanucci and his wife for $170 million, the former home of Rush Limbaugh sold to billionaire William Lauder for $155 million, and an undisclosed buyer acquiring a Greenwich, Connecticut, mansion for $138.8 million.

 

CONTEXT: In 2023, the real estate market faced a downturn, primarily attributed to elevated mortgage rates, prompting prospective buyers to exercise caution in their property investments. The Wall Street Journal notes that, despite the challenging climate, at least five transactions closed for $100 million or more, with 33 properties exchanging hands at $50 million or higher. These figures represent a decline from 2022, which witnessed seven deals surpassing $100 million and 44 properties exceeding the $50 million mark. Although interest rates have eased in recent months following a peak of 7.79% in October 2023, the week ending January 4, 2024, witnessed a resurgence, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbing to 6.62%. Experts caution that the new year may not bring substantial relief, with uncertainties surrounding inflation, debt, and concerns of a potential recession potentially maintaining market challenges. While improvements in the overall market are anticipated in 2024, prevailing uncertainties may contribute to a continuation of the trends observed in the previous year.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Soroka's Atlanta townhouse. CHARLES GUTHRIE/DORSEY ALSTON REALTORS

A three-unit home that Ernest Hemingway once inhabited in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. STEPHEN K. RACHMAN/MARCUS & MILLICHAP

SIDE NOTE: As the new year unfolds, several celebrities are ushering in the year from the comfort of new, high-value residences. Kevin Love, Miami Heat basketball team’s $8 million contract signee, invested a whopping $95 million in a 6,400-square-foot, 7-bedroom home featuring a wine cellar and pool, as reported by the Real Deal. Actress Zoa Saldana, known for her roles in “Avatar” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” was recently disclosed to have acquired a $17.5 million Spanish Colonial-style estate in Montecito last year, equipped with a tennis court, pool, guest house, and an attached two-bedroom apartment. Rapper Kendrick Lamar is rumored to have recently secured an $8.6 million penthouse in Brooklyn, New York, boasting four bedrooms, an expansive kitchen, and two stories of luxurious living space.