Luxury Real Estate On The Market | Step Inside The Pippen’s Harbor Beach Mansion
Larsa Pippen, an original cast member of “Real Housewives of Miami,” is taking a shot at selling the Fort Lauderdale, FL, home she owns with her ex-husband, the basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. After coming on and off the market for years, the swanky spot is now back with a price tag of $12 million. And to help drive home a sale, Larsa will throw in her car collection, valued at around $1.5 million.
In the past, the NBA legend took the lead in sales efforts on the waterfront mansion, which the couple purchased as an empty lot for $1.3 million in 2000. The deluxe domicile they built in 2004 came on the market as long ago as 2009, for $16 million.
Now, Larsa is directing the effort to sell the home, which has languished on the market for years. She's also juggling an offer to reprise her role on a reboot of the long-dormant “Real Housewives of Miami.”In a new push for buyers, she's filmed a video tour of the posh pad and hired Nest Seekers International to revamp the marketing strategy. The Elliott Team’s Erin Sykes and Margo Fuller at Nest Seekers International represent the listing.It's perhaps no surprise that the new team is bullish on finally selling the long-languishing mansion. One big reason?
Despite COVID, the real estate market in South Florida performed remarkably well compared to other major metropolitan areas,” says Shawn Elliott of Nest Seekers.He's handling the marketing for the property and tells us that the frenzy in the Sunshine State's luxury market is “fueled by a surge of buyers from the Northeast, California, and Midwest who want to take advantage of Florida’s favorable climate and lack of state income tax.”As we’ve noted in earlier coverage, this luxury megamansion is a standout. The amenity-filled spread on a double lot measures 13,500 square feet and includes a NBA basketball court, a pool with a slide, and fountains.
Known as Villa Del Lago the waterfront residence is in the coveted gated community of Harbor Beach, and offers 215 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. Buyers can pull up in their personal yacht, because the deepwater dock can handle megayachts measuring up to 190 feet.The mansion was designed by Randall Stofft Architects, and luxe fixtures and finishes were used to craft the Mediterranean-style marvel.The deluxe estate features six bedrooms and seven full bathrooms, plus two partial bathrooms, including a massive master suite with a giant walk-in closet, a coffee bar, en suite bathroom, and a private balcony overlooking the water. The second floor can be accessed by elevator.Other resort-style amenities include a home theater, game room, fitness center, climate-controlled wine cellar, hot tub, and a commercial-grade summer kitchen.The next owner will also enjoy membership to Harbor Beach Surf Club, a private, 300-foot beach with a pavilion and private marina, fully serviced with chairs, umbrellas and five-star club amenities.Other perks include close proximity to the ocean, privacy, and 24-hour Fort Lauderdale Police security.In addition to the keys to the house, a buyer will acquire the keys to some pretty sweet rides, including a Porsche 911 GTU RS, a Mercedes G63 AMG, and a Ferrari 488 Pista, the New York Post notes. Perhaps those luxury whips will finally fuel a sale.
Pippen purchased the property back in 2000 when it was just an empty lot, shelling out $1.3 million for it and then building a 13,000-square-foot mansion. There he and his family evidently lived happily for about ten years, but in 2010 they listed it for sale with an asking price of $16 million. Then, the following year, that price was reduced to $13.5 million. In 2016 the price was once again reduced, this time to $12.5 million, and in an unusual step in the real estate world Pippen even threw in his yacht for no additional cost. Somehow, a buyer for the home was still not found at that price – and Pippen has also been making the mansion available as an upscale rental at some $40,000 per month.
Why has Pippen had such a hard time selling this clearly exceptional mansion (designed by famed architect Randall Stofft) can be attributed to any number of factors, including fluctuating supply and demand in the area's luxury housing market and just plain bad luck. But it certainly isn't because the house itself isn't suitable at any of the above asking prices over the years, with its gorgeous Venetian-style design and wealth of amenities, including a game room, media room, upscale gourmet kitchen, expansive swimming pool, and of course a basketball court.
Though the home is listed for just a hair under $10 million, it hasn't undergone any major renovations since it was built 15 years ago.“This house was built by one of the top architects in the area, and the finishes and features are all exquisite,” says Barrett. This, he explained, is probably one of the reasons the Pippens haven’t performed any renovations.
While appealing, finishes like rare wood accents, high-end flooring, and a waterslide aren't necessarily every wealthy buyer's cup of oolong tea. “The finishes in this home are worth every penny, but unfortunately, it’s hard to make a return on them,” says Barrett.
So who is going to come along and buy this Italian-inspired beauty?
“You’re talking about a white elephant,” said Barrett. “This house isn’t just for the person that can afford it. It’s for the person that can afford to keep it up as well. It’s for someone that understands and appreciates the architecture and the finishes.”
