SOURCE: Sotheby’s
Watching the Olympics in Paris this summer may leave you raring to excel at your favorite sport—if only there was time to practice. In fact, many Olympic athletes hone their skills at home. Brazilian skateboarder Leticia Bufoni, who participated in Tokyo 2020, built a skatepark in the backyard of her Los Angeles home. From Team USA, swimmer Cody Miller trains in his own outdoor swimming pool, and rock climber Colin Duffy uses a climbing wall in his basement. British tennis player Andy Murray has a tennis court on his rural estate in England. But you don’t have to be an Olympian to enjoy top-quality sporting and fitness facilities at home.
With a continuing boom in the culture of wellness, and mounting scientific evidence of the physical and psychological benefits of sport and exercise in everyday life, having at-home facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts or basketball courts is a boon to personal health and lifestyle, as well as the desirability of a property.
It is an idea that has been enthusiastically embraced at this collection of properties across the US, Canada, and Italy. Some even come fitted out with unexpected facilities—from an indoor ice hockey arena to a bowling alley.
It is at a stunning property in the verdant village of Old Westbury, New York, where a bowling alley can be found—along with a tennis court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, par-3 golf hole, and indoor basketball court. “The owners are avid golfers and swimmers—the facilities allow them to swim and keep their golf game sharp year-round,” says Jason Friedman, senior global real estate advisor at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. “As far as property value goes, this home’s amenities go above and beyond anything that’s been built on the Gold Coast of Long Island.” A sports lover would never get bored here, but there is much to love beyond the amenities, with a large, classically detailed stone mansion overlooking landscaped gardens providing a perfect place to relax or entertain.
Over in Italy, a fairytale property in the Tuscan province of Grosseto features a tennis court, golf course, swimming pool, stables, and paddock, set over an impressive 84 acres. There is space to host all the tennis and riding partners you could possibly want, with the property including 17 bedrooms across buildings that blend seamlessly with the cypress tree-studded landscape.
In Palm Beach Country, Florida, an equestrian’s dream comes true in the shape of a home accompanied by a 28-stall stable block. While the main house benefits from an outdoor pool, gardens, and lake, the large stable building includes tack rooms, lounges, bathrooms, wash racks, and grooming stalls, alongside the custom-built stalls to accommodate horses, all set around a generous outdoor riding arena.
Meanwhile, in the bayside Canadian town of Collingwood, Ontario, a 24-acre property features a private indoor ice hockey arena—which can be converted to a pickleball court when desired. The state-of-the-art hockey team changing rooms, alongside a viewing gallery with full bar, will make you feel like you’re a VIP at a professional match.
And in Lafayette, California, a property with an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court is as attractive for lavish summer parties as it is for daily workouts. Inside, the home has its own luxury theater with a big screen, and a games room featuring six televisions. There is, after all, no need to become an Olympic athlete when it’s possible to watch them compete from the comfort of your home.
Old Westbury, New York, US
This amenity-rich estate is situated on seven acres of perfectly manicured grounds within the Gold Coast’s most sought-after gated community, Spring Hill. The natural stone mansion, with its 25,000 sq ft of living space, features seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, and an expansive indoor kitchen. Athletes and wellness-enthusiasts can enjoy the residence’s extensive amenities, including an indoor basketball court, indoor pool, steam room and sauna, gym, two-lane bowling alley, par-3 golf hole, tennis pavilion, and outdoor pool. For a more relaxed time in, there is also a billiards room, sports bar, movie theater, and much more.
Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy
In the evocative scenery of the Tuscan countryside, this renovated estate is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The 29,000 sq ft property comprises five main buildings plus auxiliary structures for olive oil production and other services. The main villa—carefully restored in Tuscan style with traditional detailing—hosts various common spaces: large lounges, a reception, a cinema room, and five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. In addition to the vineyard and olive grove, delight in some sun in the swimming pool, golf course, tennis court, and a paddock for walking with horses.
Wellington, Florida
La Victoria Farm, a custom-built, 7.3-acre equestrian property, has it all. Located only a short hack to the show grounds, this property—with a main residence and 28-stall stables—is designed for the ultimate equestrian lifestyle. Access to the stables and 3,600 sq ft main residence is through two separate gated entrances. The stables have two center aisles each with 14 stalls. Each private aisle is complemented by separate tack rooms, lounges, laundry, feed, bathrooms, wash racks, and grooming stalls. Unwind after a day out in the four-bedroom main residence, a private and quiet refuge with a spectacular pool and lanai.
Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
This one-of-a-kind, 24-acre property with private indoor arena featured on Hometown Hockey is an entertainer’s and sports enthusiast’s dream. Located in a standalone building, the 45ft by 95ft arena with ice surface is perfect for three-on-three hockey, and can be easily converted to a pickleball court. It comes with your very own Zamboni, state-of-the-art changing rooms, and a large steam shower. When off the ice, unwind in the viewing gallery with a full luxury bar, large loft with a big screen, and a hot tub for relaxing after a fun-filled day. Meanwhile, the stunning three-bedroom home/chalet has an open-concept kitchen, stone fireplace, media room, and games room.
Lafayette, California
Sitting at the end of a private drive, this retreat is ideal for entertaining those of any age with a tennis court, basketball court, batting cage, and swimming pool with waterfalls and slide. There is also an on-site climbing wall, putting green, and bocce court. Relax and recuperate in the massage room or by the outdoor fire pit, or enjoy a movie in the spacious professional theater. A game room is equipped with six televisions and space to play pool, ping-pong, or cards. The four bedrooms are spacious, and the primary suite offers a massive walk-in closet and an en-suite bath.
SOURCE: Sotheby’s