Shaquille O’Neal bought the Florida estate for a little less than $4 million in 1993.Christian Pestana Rodriguez

The lavish Florida estate of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has bounced back into play after a deal fell through in February. This represents the latest in on-again, off-again deals for the unique lakefront property in Windermere, Florida, named Isleworth. 

In 2018, the sprawling home was listed for $28 million. It was later listed with another brokerage, but the deal fell through in February. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has relisted the circa 1990 property for $16.5 million and dramatically updated it.

The renovation project included interior painting, new landscaping, chemical pressure wash of the driveway, pressure wash of the home and a professionally staged pool area, including a summer kitchen.

“I’ve reviewed what the three previous listing agents’ marketing strategies were, and they all have used Shaq as the focal point to selling the mansion,” says Benjamin Hillman, luxury real estate sales executive for Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “My approach was different. I removed 95% of any items relating to Shaq out of the mansion because it’s already public knowledge that Shaq is the owner. I instead wanted to focus on the exclusive community, lakefront living, the amenities that the mansion offers and the luxury lifestyle.”

Spacious bedroom with panoramic view

Dining room

Nestled within the gated community of Isleworth Golf and Country Club, Isleworth is on a nearly 4-acre parcel with 700 feet of lakefront Lake Butler frontage. There are 12 bedrooms, 11 full bathrooms and four half bathrooms over 35,550 square feet.

Contemporary kitchenChristian Pestana Rodriguez

The exterior received a facelift.Christian Pestana Rodriguez

Amenities include a 6,000-square-foot indoor NBA-certified basketball court, a 17-plus car showroom-style garage, 1,400-square-foot cigar and wine bar room, custom-designed theater room with 10 reclining seats; private walk-in safe room, aquarium room, 44-foot-long office with lakefront views, recording studio; 67-foot-long Florida room facing Lake Butler and a 95-foot-long, 15-foot-deep resort-style swimming pool dubbed Shaq-apulco. 

As luxurious as those amenities sound, the mansion also showcases marble flooring, a dual mahogany wood staircase, mahogany tray ceilings, three fireplaces, a cherry wood-themed old-school cigar bar, gourmet chef’s kitchen, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, wine coolers, travertine flooring, 15 interior cameras and 18 exterior cameras.