Even though O'Neal already has plenty of space for his indoor gym, recording studio and Harley-Davidson motorcycle, he's adding at least 5,000 square feet to the house, says Lorraine Chiarella, an associate with Coldwell Banker Residential's Dr. Phillips office.
O'Neal, who played for the Orlando Magic before his move to the Lakers, kept a residence in Orlando for a number of reasons, she says. "In Isleworth, he has security and privacy, golf and boating, with easy access to Orlando International Airport. There's no state income tax, and the luxury homes here would probably cost three times as much in California."
From the exclusive suburbs of Orlando -- also home to golfer Tiger Woods, actor Wesley Snipes and teen singing star Mandy Moore -- to getaway retreats in the Keys, Florida's appeal attracts a large contingent of celebrities drawn by the state's climate, golf, boating and casual lifestyle.
High-profile sports and entertainment celebrities prefer gated, guarded high-rise and golf course communities that are more common in Florida than in other states. Privacy and security remain key selling points in the celebrity market. While few seem bothered by the presence of the National Enquirer's headquarters in Lantana, no one wants to see a vendor on the sidewalk selling maps to the homes of the stars.
Renowned business and political figures have enjoyed homes in the Sunshine State for more than a century. Famous residents from that sector include Presidents Harry Truman (Key West) and Richard Nixon (Key Biscayne), author Ernest Hemingway (Key West) and Donald Trump (Palm Beach).
Many high-end residential projects , in fact, have been built on the former estates of bygone business leaders, like William K. Vanderbilt's 1920s retreat on Fisher Island off Miami Beach.
Florida has also drawn notorious celebrities like Al Capone (Miami Beach), Meyer Lansky (Miami Beach) and more recently O.J. Simpson (Miami).
Show business celebrities tend to come and go, and it's often tough to keep up with who's living here at a given moment.
Singer Celine Dion sold her home in Admirals Cove in November for $20 million. Entertainer Liza Minnelli rented a home in Fort Lauderdale for several years before moving back to New York. Actor Sylvester Stallone and Madonna owned neighboring bayfront homes in Miami before selling them in the past few years. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has sold three of her four condominiums on Fisher Island in Miami Beach.
Common amenities
Today, Florida's rich and famous tend to cluster in certain communities that offer luxury, security and the ability to socialize with their peers. In the Tampa Bay area, for instance, Avila -- a gated golf course community east of Tampa -- is home to a number of Tampa Bay Buccaneers players such as Warren Sapp and Shaun King. New York Yankee infielder Derek Jeter and former Devil Rays outfielder Kenny Kelly are also residents.
"Athletes are often people who are new to money," says Cleanza Lanier, associate with Coldwell Banker Residential's Carrollwood office near Tampa. "They want prestige, but they also want to live in a community where they won't be the biggest fish in the water. Communities like Avila provide that setting for them."
In south Florida, the high-end Windmill Ranch Estates subdivision in Weston is a popular choice for Miami Dolphins players and alumni, including Dan Marino and Keith Sims.
"Athletes work together, and they like to hang out together," says Robin Cervini, associate with Coldwell Banker Residential's Weston office. "At Windmill Ranch Estates, each home is on an acre of land, and there is great security." The Weston area also offers an easy commute to the Dolphins training facility in Miami Lakes and Pro Player Stadium in north Miami-Dade.
Many big names in the corporate world shy away from communities that attract sports and entertainment figures -- unless they can get a free golf lesson from Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. Famous active or retired CEOs tend to choose quieter communities in places like Vero Beach, Sarasota, Bonita Springs, Naples and especially Palm Beach.
Palm Beach undoubtedly has the highest cluster of wealthy executives and retirees in the state, including Jim Clark, the founder of Netscape, who has an $11-million estate on South Ocean Drive, and radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, who owns a cluster of homes on the north end of the island. Triarc Chairman Nelson Peltz is asking $75 million for Montsorrel, his 46,995-sq.-ft. oceanfront estate.
"One of the first reasons Palm Beach is popular is safety," says attorney Leslie Robert Evans, who tracks local home sales for his publication, The Evans Report. In addition to sharing an island community, Palm Beach residents have imposed zoning restrictions that have prevented overbuilding. "Palm Beach has a limited housing supply, and that keeps pricing up," Evans says. "Plus you have the charm of older homes that you just can't reproduce anywhere today."
Another high-end community with a strong appeal to retirees is Naples, whose celebrity list includes retired athletes Larry Bird and Mike Ditka and best-selling author Robin Cook.
"Luxury homes in this area are oriented toward the water or golf, and that's where you'll find the celebrities," says Phil Wood, president of John R. Wood Realtors. Two of Naples' more exclusive neighborhoods are Port Royal and Bay Colony, which cater to successful executives and celebrities who take a low-key approach to their stardom.
"Celebrities come to a place like Naples to get away from everything," Wood adds. "Privacy is an important issue. They like to be able to go places without the hassles of Los Angeles or New York."
South Florida
The Florida Keys are also high on the list of destinations, with Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo a popular second home community for business leaders. Former NFL coach Jimmy Johnson has a home in Islamorada, and Nick Carter, a singer with the Backstreet Boys, has a 14-acre oceanfront estate in Marathon.
"With celebrities and athletes, their homes always reflect their personalities," says Rhonda Koussevitzky, associate, Prudential Florida WCI Realty in Coral Springs. "Nick Carter is very beach-oriented, so his home has a lot of bamboo decor."
Some celebrities like to be close to the music and club scene on South Beach. Stars including Barry Gibb, Lenny Kravitz, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, as well as songwriter Desmond Child, have waterfront homes in Miami Beach.
"This is an international city in evolution," says Audrey Ross, associate with Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell's Coral Gables office. "It has the excitement of a big city, the beaches and water, and secure communities that let them lead day-to-day lives in as much of a normal fashion as possible."
Lewis M. Goodkin is president of Goodkin Consulting, Miami, a strategic alliance with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
At Home in Florida
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