The money-making conglomerate known as LeBron James just keeps on churning out the hits. Though his lucrative business ventures have already made the 36-year-old basketball superstar one of the wealthiest athletes of all time, with a widely reported net worth approaching $500 million, James just keeps winning in life — after all, he’s got the NBA’s top endorsement portfolio, his own production company, a media company, and the recently-launched Ladder, a health and wellness startup he cofounded with Cindy Crawford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Lindsey Vonn. And for when the Lakers get really hungry, there are 19 James-owned Blaze Pizza franchises from which to choose.
All that success has certainly benefited James’ childhood friend and longtime business associate Maverick Carter, who recently plunked down a fat $9.3 million on a corner-lot estate in prime Santa Monica. Set on a desirably wide avenue that’s a favorite of local pedestrians and bikers, the genteel traditional structure was originally built in 1931 but scored a major expansion and renovation thanks to its previous owner, a non-famous woman hailing from California’s Silicon Valley.
The home’s rather severe exterior — jet black shutters are contrasted against pure white walls — belie its warmly neutral interiors, which include wide-plank hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings throughout. To the left of the double-height entryway lies a fireplace-equipped living room; to the right is the formal dining room that connects to a butler’s pantry and the all-new kitchen, with its quartzite countertops, and eat-in center island, and designer Wolf and SubZero appliances. Also on the main floor are a built-in breakfast banquette and a family room with a fireplace that opens via French doors to a courtyard-style patio with a full outdoor kitchen, wet bar, and al fresco entertaining space.
Four of the home’s five bedrooms are located upstairs, all of them with ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets. The master kicks things up a decorative notch with two massive closets, both of them with enough shoe racks for Imelda Marcos and her entire collection, plus there’s a spa-style bath with a soaking tub. A balcony wraps around the upper level, providing a bird’s eye view of the .33-acre property. Walls and gated surround the house, and there are a bevy of security cameras watching all entrances.
The nearly 6,200-square-foot house also offers a full basement level, which is completely open and wired for a projection and surround sound. Out back, a dark-bottomed plunge pool has an inset spa, and there’s a detached cabana with its own full bathroom and outdoor shower. A detached two-car garage is discreetly set along the backside of the property, well away from the gated front entrance.
Carter, 41, is not new to Los Angeles real estate. Back in 2015, the Ohio native — like James, he’s also a graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron — paid $3.5 million for a Hollywood Hills mini-compound in 2015; in 2018, he flipped the place for $4.2 million to a non-famous couple.
Jessica Schrobilgen of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices held the listing; Kurt Rappaport of Westside Estate Agency and Carl Gambino of Compass jointly repped Carter.