We here at ShaqFu Radio would never suggest our favorite big man is getting any less big… but it seems that when it comes to this story – our guy Shaq is “downsizing” a bit.
The New York Post and other news sources are reporting that O’Neal is in the process of closing on a new home, this one in the swanky, upscale area of Carrollton, Texas… a super-nice suburb of the Big D, Dallas.
Why is that downsizing? As regular readers of the ShaqFu Radio blog, you know that O’Neal had quite the real estate adventure when it came to selling his mega-mansion in Orlando, Florida. The home was on the market for quite some time, and there were reports of it being sold – and then not sold – over an extended period of time.
Eventually, that Shaq-sized 35,000 square-foot compound in the Isleworth community did sell, for a price well north of $15 million dollars. Check past posts here on the blog for info on that amazing home… it’s worth a look!
Of course O’Neal has several homes around the country. His main landing pad is in the Atlanta area, where he spends much of the year at his job with the TNT network and the super-popular show “Inside the NBA.”
As for the new home, this one is considerably smaller than the Orlando crib, yet still super-nice. This one is still bigger than most, with five bedrooms and six bathrooms.
The NY Post estimates a selling price of about one and a quarter million dollars. Nationally, the real estate market has been super-hot this summer, with homes listing and selling very quickly.
As for the new home in Texas, it’s about 5,200 square feet of living space, with all the amenities; a tiered ceiling, built-in shelves and a fireplace as well as a kitchen and breakfast room that opens to the great room with a high ceiling. There’s a giant-sized gas fireplace and a wall of windows with views of the in-ground pool in the backyard. On top of that, there is a small movie theater and a main suite with a sitting area and oversized bathroom, according to listings.
Our back, there’s of course the pool, with even more outdoor amenities like a spa, a rock waterfall and an awning-covered patio.
Comparison-wise, the Orlando home had water at both the front and the back with two boat slips. It had 12 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms and came with a full-sized basketball court with bleachers. It also has a wine storage room, three fireplaces, a 95-foot-long swimming pool and an outdoor kitchen. And there’s plenty of parking: The garage was very much like a nice auto showroom, with room for 17 vehicles.
Looking forward to the housewarming party, Shaq!