After demolishing the opulent $36.8 million mansion he purchased in September 2020, LeBron James has finally started construction on his dream Beverly Hills home.
The NBA icon has finally received approval to start construction on the property after a two-year court battle, and this week, construction workers flocked to the site to start the postponed project.
Exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com reveal the magnitude of the construction, with piles of dirt standing in for the mansion where Katharine Hepburn called home during the height of her fame.
The 1930s property was first owned by Hollywood actor Charles Boyer, and then ultimately picked up 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 in 1986 by The Young And the Restless creators William Brent Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.
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Work has begun on LeBron James’ new dream home after he knocked down a mansion he bought for $36.8m three years ago
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The builders arrived this week to begin work on the huge plot of land, which used to be home to a beautiful mansion
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The NBA star appears to be signaling his desire to stay in Los Angeles for the long-term as he builds his brand new property
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James – who is currently weighing up his NBA future – poses with his wife Savannah at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday
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A cement mixer arrives at the Beverly Hills mansion where James is having his dream home built on a $36.8m plot of land
Another angle of the property shows the sheer size of the project, with many builders already working on the build
LeBron purchased the home in September 2020, but it seems he had entirely different ambitions for it because, only a few years before it turned 100, he obtained permission to demolish it right away.
James will now build his dream home on the large 2.5 acre plot of ground that the land was on, demonstrating his commitment to remain in Los Angeles for the long term after his playing career is over.
One of Los Angeles’s largest driveway gates serves as additional security for the property.
The Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets in May, and the NBA great is now deciding what to do.
When he does eventually walk off the court for the final time, James has spoken openly about 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.’
On the court, James has been in Los Angeles for five seasons – and clearly sees his long-term future in the California city
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.