Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has made major progress on his ambitious Beverly Hills home demolition and rebuild project. James bought the property at 9955 Beverly Grove Drive in 2020 for $36.8 million, and in 2023, he razed it and built an entirely new home for his family. In the latest photos of the property obtained by Realtor.com, James appears to be well on his way to building an estate fit for a “King” — James, that is. On what was once a hilltop patch of dirt, James’ construction crews have erected a multistory compound with multiple external structures, including what appears to be one of two large guest houses on the property. The design was reportedly chosen to maximize privacy while taking advantage of sweeping views of Los Angeles. The property is expected to feature amenities like a resort-style infinity pool, home theater and wine cellar. And because it’ll host a four-time NBA champ, an indoor basketball court is a must. The estate is expected to become James’ primary residence upon completion, along with his wife Savannah and their children Bronny, Zhuri and Bryce. Bronny joined the Los Angeles Lakers last year and has been sharing the court with his dad at the team’s Crypto.com Arena home ever since. The Beverly Hills home that James demolished had a history dating back nearly a century. The four-bedroom Mediterranean-inspired home, built in the 1930s, was once leased by American business magnate and aerospace engineer Howard Hughes to his ex-girlfriend Katharine Hepburn at the height of her career. James ended up buying the home from the estate of Lee Phillip Bell and her husband, soap opera legend William J. Bell, who together created the hit series, “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Lee died in February 2020 and James closed on the home that September. To bring his dream home to life, James had to do away with the existing 13,000-square-foot home, including its theatrical screening room, tennis court and swimming pool. It took nearly three years from closing to permit approval before demolition began. For now, James will have time in the off-season to focus on the building project, as the Lakers were knocked out of the 2025 NBA Playoffs in the first round. — Chris Malone Méndez
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