August 2013

 

NBA superstar Kobe Bryant and his wife list a Mediterranean-influenced home in Newport Coast for $8.599 million.  

 

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant have listed one of their houses in Newport Coast at $8.599 million. The property last sold for $1.7 million in 1997, public records show.

NBA superstar Kobe Bryant may be focused on bouncing back from his injury, but the Lakers shooting guard is up to more than running on a treadmill. He and his wife,Vanessa, have put one of their houses in Newport Coast up for sale at $8.599 million.

 

Built on a half-acre in 1997, the Mediterranean-influenced home is set behind gates at the end of a cul-de-sac. If the description "highly upgraded custom estate" fails to hint at this having been their primary residence of late, the listing clarifies: "All remodeling was done by the current owners."

 

A "shark tank" in the paneled office/library is the most attention-grabbing feature. There is an 850-square-foot gym, a hair salon, a theater, four bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

 

The palm tree-studded grounds include a swimming pool and spa, lawn, a fire pit and an outdoor kitchen.

 

Bryant, 34, is recovering from a torn Achilles' tendon. The five-time NBA champ started his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. He is the all-time leading scorer in the team's history.

 

The property last sold for $1.7 million in 1997, public records show.

The Bryants also own a 14,000-square-foot mansion nearby.

 

(LA Times, Lauren Beale)