Lebron James Just Bought Katharine Hepburn's Old Estate in Beverly Hills
Updated Oct. 1 2020, 2:49 p.m. ET
Now that the NBA season is almost at an end, Lebron James has finally closed on his enormous Beverly Hills estate. Lebron spent $36.8 million to purchase the house, which has amazing views and a lengthy history in Hollywood. The house was built in the 1930s, has a Mediterranean architectural style, and was first owned by Charles Boyer, a Hollywood actor in the '30s.
Katharine Hepburn lived in Lebron James' house at the height of her career.
Although Charles was the home's first owner, its most famous resident before Lebron was Katharine Hepburn, one of the most acclaimed actresses in Hollywood history. Katharine wound up living in the residence after the studio RKO Pictures purchased it from Boyer. At the time, RKO was owned by Howard Hughes, who had at one time dated Katharine and still considered her a close confidant.
As a result, Howard allowed Katharine to lease the property from him, and she lived there for years as she starred in many of her most-famous roles. After she left the house, it fell into non-famous hands for a number of years before being purchased in the 1980s by soap opera pioneers Lee Phillip Bell and William J. Bell. The couple restored the home during their time living there, and owned it until it went on the market in June.
Lebron paid less than asking price for the house.
When it was listed, the house had an asking price of $39 million, but Lebron was able to purchase it for 6 percent less. Even for Hollywood, the house is remarkably secure, featuring a slew of cameras and a long driveway that leads up to the residence. The main residence includes a movie theater, a dining room set beneath an enormous skylight, and a living room with vaulted ceilings.
The property also features two guest houses, as well as other dining and entertaining areas. There's also a lighted tennis court which also features a viewing pavilion. At the far end of the property, it's possible to view the entire L.A. skyline as well as Benedict Canyon and the Pacific Ocean. There's also an oval swimming pool that is adjoined by a pool house.
This isn't Lebron's only mansion in Los Angeles.
Lebron is clearly interested in investing in real estate. He's purchased three houses in the L.A. area since 2015, including his latest Beverly Hills purchase. Lebron first purchased a $21 million mansion in Brentwood in 2015. That house has remained largely vacant since he purchased it. In 2017, he purchased another hilltop estate for $23 million that currently serves as his primary residence.
Lebron's purchase of the Beverly Hills estate comes as he competes with the Lakers in the NBA finals in Orlando. Lebron announced that he would be joining the team in 2018, and in that time, he's proven that he can make the team contenders for the title. In his time in the NBA, Lebron has played in 10 finals. As the Lakers take on the Heat, Lebron will be seeking the fourth NBA title of his career.
