When LeBron James signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, he immediately began planting the seeds to be known as King James — on and off the court.
At 18 years old, James purchased his first property in Ohio.
Today, James is worth a reported $1.2 billion. The four-time MVP owns several properties to rent his home state of Ohio, Florida and California. And after negotiating an extended two year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, James will make history with his son Bronny as they become the first father-son teammates in the history of the NBA.
Let’s take a look at James’ real rate portfolio—a grouping of properties that mix personal investments and philanthropic support to residents in Akron.
A Starter Home Just North of Akron
James purchased his first property shortly after being signed to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The $2.1 million property was located in Bath Township, just northwest of his hometown of Akron. Over time, James built a 30,000 square foot mansion on the land. After investing in the expansion of the property, the home is now valued at $9.2 million, according to Architectural Digest. The estate includes six bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, six half-bathrooms, a recording studio, movie theater, a barbershop, two-lane bowling alley, a sports bar and aquarium. The home’s master suite has a two-story walk-in closet as well.
Bringing the Heat to Miami
Seven years into James’ NBA career, he decided to sign on with the Miami Heat as a free agent. By November 2010, James had purchased a new home in the exclusive Coconut Grove. Featuring a private waterside balcony off the master suite, an eight-seat home movie theater, and a wine cellar, the residence seamlessly allowed James to relax with his family or entertain guests. Outside was a backyard pool with a LED lighting system, a separate guest house, and a three-car garage. But with all of its amenities, the property was not enough to keep James in Miami. By 2014, the property was listed for $17 million. By 2015 the home sold for $13.4 million.
Can’t Get Enough of California
In 2013 James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers and began expanding his real estate portfolio with properties on the West Coast.
James’ first purchase in California came in 2015 when he bought a 9,440-square-foot colonial mansion in Brentwood. The $21 million property included six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The home also featured a Calacatta marble kitchen, wood-paneled office, and a gym. Outside an infinity-edge swimming pool, basketball court and several patio spaces were available. In September 2021 James sold the property for $19.6 million.
In 2017, James purchased his second residence in Brentwood for $23.5 million. With eight bedrooms and eleven bathrooms, this home was the perfect primary residence for James as he transitioned to playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Top-of-the-line amenities are present in the house such as a gym, wine cellar, movie theater, cigar room, and an onyx bar.
James’ last California purchase came in 2020 when he snapped up a $36.8 million mansion. The 13,000-square-foot residence sat on a 2.5-acre plot of land and was built in 1930. Although the property featured many high-end amenities, such as one of the longest driveway gates in the Los Angeles area, a tennis court, and a movie screening room. James wanted to customize the home. In 2023, he razed the original structure and began construction on another home.
Supporting Akron
In 2023, the Lebron James Family Foundation opened House Three Thirty, a community space and event venue. Established to offer support to students of I Promise School, and the Akron community, House Three Thirty boasts restaurants, event and performance spaces, and a museum documenting James’ life.
