Topics: Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, Property, Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Celebrity
Travis Kelce is reportedly joining the ranks of ‘wealthy homeowners’ prioritizing privacy and expanding their homes away from prying eyes.
It appears some celebrities just can’t help but splash the cash where their property portfolio is concerned.
Taylor Swift owns at least $100 million in real estate, Jennifer Lopez has multiple houses across the US, and Leonardo DiCaprio has a Los Angeles compound, an eco-friendly condo in New York City, and so much more.
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And while some famous faces like Tony Hawk - who boasts an impressive 5,000-square-foot skatepark in his backyard - like to show off their assets, more and more famous faces are opting to tap into the ‘iceberg house’ trend.
Much like its glacial namesake, an iceberg property sees most or some of the occupant’s living space being built underground.
These spaces can be filled with anything: luxury spa pools, wine cellars, cocktail bars, and even an underground movie theatre.
These spaces are considered by many to be the ultimate private haven, and now, Kansas City Chiefs phenom Kelce, 35, apparently wants a slice of that luxury.
The NFL tight end, who is currently dating global popstar Taylor Swift, is reportedly building an underground ‘man cave’ at his luxury $6 million mansion in Leawood, Kansas.
The 17,000-square-foot property has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, lighted tennis and pickleball courts, a miniature golf course, and soon, a 396-square-foot underground den.
According to the Daily Mail, the basement will be large enough to house an indoor golf simulator, with phase one of the excavation reportedly being finished by December.
Kelce is just one of the many homeowners opting to build lavish underground areas—a serious real estate ‘flex’, as per the Robb Report.
The publication writes that the decision to build underground allows architects and builders to maximize land use to protect existing above-ground views.
It can also be used as a way around planning regulations and ‘increasingly strict zoning’, says Zoltan E. Pali, design principal and co-founder of Los Angeles-based architecture studio SPF.
“There has been a noticeable rise in demand for iceberg homes, and I believe their popularity will continue to grow in the coming years,” he continued.
“The ability to create expansive spaces that are hidden from view allows homeowners to enjoy their amenities without drawing attention, which is particularly appealing in celebrity-dense areas like Los Angeles.”
Meanwhile, Justin M. Riordan, founder of Space and Archer Design Agency says that using subterranean spaces reflects a ‘modern understanding that true wealth is about the quality of life inside, not how much of it is on display'.
Unfortunately, iceberg homes do come with their own set of issues, including construction often costing a bomb.
There’s also the chance that a functioning basement or underground wellness center won’t actually add any value to your home.
So, if you are thinking of opting in on this real estate trend, be sure you know what you’re dealing with, and any potential losses it could make.
