That home Kobe Bryant nearly bought is up for sale, and it has a pirate ship
A sprawling Orange County estate with a private lagoon, a replica pirate ship and a connection to Lakers star Kobe Bryant is on the market for $10.995 million.
Fifteen years ago, following his third all-star season and second NBA title, a 22-year-old Bryant and his new bride, Vanessa, were under contract to buy the 9.5-acre property in Coto de Caza, then listed for $13.5 million.
The Bryants, citing “business issues” and privacy concerns, backed out of escrow on the property and eventually swung a deal later that year for a $4-million home in Newport Beach, according to a 2001 story in The Times.
Now up for sale, the 14,000-square-foot home is prime for entertaining with a home theater, a lounge and a billiard room with a hand-rubbed wood-and-copper ceiling. A full-house surround sound system pipes in tunes to each of the nine bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.
Outdoors, grounds resembling those of a theme park feature meandering pathways leading to attractions such as a lookout tower, an entertainer’s pavilion and a private lake.
A half-scale replica pirate ship complete with cannons and an enterable cabin sits anchored in the lagoon-style swimming pool. Waterfalls, slides and swim-in caves complete the water-park-like experience.
Lyn Chadwick of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices holds the current listing.
Bryant has made his fair share of real estate headlines over the years, with purchases in Pacific Palisades and, later, the O.C. area. Last year, he set a price record with the $6.12-million sale of his mansion in a gated Newport Coast enclave, The Times reported.
He owns other property in Newport Coast.
Twitter: @NJLeitereg
