IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Celeb real estate: Lance Armstrong dumps new home

This week in celebrity real estate, it was reported that Lance Armstrong sold a home just six weeks after he bought it, trading it for the home of Ben Barnes, the former lieutenant governor of Texas, and Wayne Gretzky listed his Scottsdale home.Lance Armstrom buys former Texas Lt. Governor’s homeThe disgraced cyclist recently made headlines for purchasing a home near Lake Austin for $4.34 millio
Lance Armstrong has been on a real estate rampage.
Lance Armstrong has been on a real estate rampage. He sold this Lake Austin home six weeks after buying it.Today

This week in celebrity real estate, it was reported that Lance Armstrong sold a home just six weeks after he bought it, trading it for the home of Ben Barnes, the former lieutenant governor of Texas, and Wayne Gretzky listed his Scottsdale home.

Lance Armstrom buys former Texas Lt. Governor’s home

The disgraced cyclist recently made headlines for purchasing a home near Lake Austin for $4.34 million after selling his central Austin estate. Property records confirm that Lance Armstrong ditched the lake house, selling it to American race car driver Bret Curtis and his wife, Yecenia, for an undisclosed amount.

Selling only six weeks after he bought it, Armstrong likely didn’t have time to flip the home, and it’s unclear whether he made a profit. But the 12,553-square-foot home has strong selling points — from its striking contemporary architecture to a 200-foot suspension bridge leading to a private boathouse on Lake Austin. Additional celeb-worthy amenities include a pool, spa, cabana, rooftop deck, terraced gardens, indoor sport court and art studio.

Armstrong purchased the former lieutenant governor's Austin home only five days after closing the deal in Lake Austin. The 7,646-square-foot, single-family home was built in 1924 and sits on nearly half an acre.

Armstrong has been hopping around Texas for some time. The Plano native had a Dripping Springs home custom built in 2003 with seven miles of trails for hiking and biking. He sold the place in August 2011, a few months after announcing his retirement from competitive cycling, while facing doping allegations.

Wayne Gretzky lists Scottsdale home for $3.395 million

Wayne Gretzky has listed his Scottsdale, Ariz. residence for $3.395 million.
Wayne Gretzky has listed his Scottsdale, Ariz. residence for $3.395 million.Today

With 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) under his belt, you’d think Wayne Gretzky would be ready to settle down. But in real estate, “The Great One” is just warming up.

In 2007, he sold his Thousand Oaks, Calif. home for $18.5 million and claimed Scottsdale as his primary residence. The Thousand Oaks property recently returned to the for-sale market, and now the former professional hockey player has listed his Scottsdale, Ariz. residence for $3.395 million.

According to the Los Angeles Times and property records, Gretzky purchased the home at 6436 E Gainsborough Road, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85251 in 2003 while putting the finishing touches on his 6.5-acre Sherwood Country Club estate, which he custom designed with architect Richard Landry.

The Scottsdale property is an architectural gem as well, described by listing agent Pam Wugalter as “both sophisticated and elegant, with finishes that are of superior quality and workmanship.” Built in a Spanish-Mediterranean style, the home boasts high ceilings, vintage chandeliers and wood beams throughout.

One of 13 homes in a secluded Arcadia development, the property affords more than an acre of privacy with a large, covered poolside patio for outdoor entertaining. The main house has 3 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a 1-bed, 1-bath casita provides additional living space for guests.

Catherine Sherman, a real estate writer for Zillow Blog, covers celebrity real estate, industry trends and home improvement tips. Read more of her work here.

Related: