According to the Real Deal, NBA superstar LeBron James reportedly enlarged his Los Angeles–area real estate portfolio with the purchase of a historic Beverly Hills mansion.

A month ago, the Los Angeles Times debunked a false allegation that the basketball legend had purchased a $52 million mansion in Los Angeles. Clearly, there is considerable curiosity about where James will lay his illustrious head.

If the Beverly Hills acquisition is authentic, “King James” would be purchasing a residence from Hollywood royalty. The home belonged to Lee Phillip Bell, co-creator of the long-running and renowned soap operas “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

The daytime television colossus passed away in February at age 91. In addition to this 90210 residence, Bell’s Malibu estate was listed for $21.5 million in April. Recently, it was sold for $18,275,000.

However, let’s return to the King. Here is what we know about James’s enormous mansions.

The Mediterranean mansion offers incredible perks

On a promontory, the 2.5-acre property is located. The compound offers vistas of downtown Los Angeles, the ocean, and the Santa Monica Mountains, and is accessed by a long driveway leading to a motor court and courtyard.

The 1934-built mansion features four bedrooms, eight restrooms, and 9,146 square feet of living space. It has two bedroom suites, multiple gathering areas, and seven fireplaces. Additionally, the property features a screening room, a swimming pool, and a pool house with two restrooms.

“It makes perfect sense for LeBron to add this Beverly Hills mansion just east of his Brentwood home,” says Douglas Elliman real estate agent Michelle Oliver. Oliver is not involved in the transaction, but he is an expert in the field.

Oliver cites the property’s lighted tennis court, two detached guesthouses, expansive motor court, and breathtaking views as elements that are attractive to affluent buyers.

“This property also has a great deal of upside potential for a real estate expert like LeBron,” she continues. As he did in his previous home, he may transform one of the guesthouses into a state-of-the-art indoor-outdoor gym.

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A pretty penny

According to the property records, the estate was last sold for $2.9 million in 1986. The home was placed on the market last month for a staggering $39 million. The listing is still available at that price, so it is unclear what, if anything, James paid to acquire the mansion.

Comparatively, there are some marginally less expensive options available if he values the neighborhood. A nearby contemporary listing for $38 million includes a pool, wine wall, gym, home theater, and vehicle court, but less land. Another brand-new construction in the area features an open layout and indoor-outdoor living for $18,7 million.

James already owns homes in nearby Brentwood

The Los Angeles Lakers icon is not hesitant to make extravagant purchases. This would be his third property purchase in the Los Angeles area. In 2015, the three-time NBA champion paid $21 million for a prestigious property in Brentwood. The 9400-square-foot custom residence features six bedrooms, a pool, a cabana, and dining and leisure verandas.

This purchase prompted rumors, which proved accurate, that the then-Cleveland Cavalier was considering a move to the West Coast.

His second purchase, also in Brentwood, was made at the close of 2017 for $23 million. The land grab appeared to clarify James’s intentions further. The brand-new structure features eight chambers and a living room with sliding glass doors. Luxurious amenities include a wine cellar with 1,500 bottles, a home theater, a spacious kitchen, a gym, a wine and cigar lounge, and a bar. The grounds feature marble terraces, an outdoor kitchen with an integrated barbecue, and an oversized swimming pool.

Why buy?

While these two Brentwood residences are undeniably luxurious, this most recent purchase is truly suitable for a king.

Local expert Sally Forster Jones, executive director of luxury estates for Compass and president of the Sally Forster Jones Group, states, “First and foremost, it is extremely private.” “That would work for someone like LeBron James.”

With the pandemic showing no signs of abating, this property offers some rare amenities that would appeal to a multimillionaire megastar.

Jones explains, “It’s like a private resort where you never have to leave to go anywhere.” When the basketball legend returns from the NBA’s makeshift bubble in Orlando, Florida, this perk is optimal.

Jones adds that the acreage makes this property especially valuable. It is extremely difficult to locate 2.5 acres in this area.

Despite the home’s expansive lot and seclusion, the Beverly Hills commercial district is readily accessible.

She adds, “It’s close to everything, but still far enough away that you have privacy and land.”

In fact, the property in one of the nation’s most prestigious ZIP codes is a triple threat.

“It is very difficult to obtain… land with views and privacy. Together, these three items are extremely difficult to obtain,” she says.