Serena Williams’ Former Bel Air Mansion Sold For $12 Million, Take A Look Inside
Being that Serena Williams is one of the top tennis players in the world, it should come as no surprise the mansion she lived in for more than a decade is quite the stunner. The Bel Air home boasts more than 6,000 square feet, ample privacy, a large yard, and a pool. With six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, Serena could easily accommodate the entire family for the holidays. The tennis star left her mark on the property with a personal hair salon and home gym. Keep reading to see the gorgeous property she recently sold for more than $8 million.
Tucked Away
When you're a famous tennis player and your husband is a business tycoon, privacy is everything. Rather than having a home that all of the neighbors can peer into, this mansion is tucked away behind thick vegetation.
The distressed walkway probably has something to do with the fact that the home was built back in 1935. The historic mansion offers charm and mystique; who knows what famous celebrities lived there before Serena did. After all, the house is in Bel Air, one of the most famous neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
An Elegant Walkway
This property boasts even more privacy as you walk down a long corridor to get to its entrance. Vines create an arch above the walkway and make you feel as though you've been transported back to Hollywood's early days.
A pathway this grand looks like something you'd see a bride walk down on her wedding day. Serena Williams married her husband just a year and a half before selling this home, in November of 2017. You know you've made it when the editor-in-chief of Vogue attends your wedding.
A Bonus Yard
Athletes need to have space to move around and break a sweat, and this home is not short on space. Behind the house is a large yard, but in case that wasn't enough, there's also this side yard. Serena has been athletic from the time she was a small child.
She started playing tennis at just four-years-old, and by the time she was 21-years-old she had made her way to the number one ranking. It's possible that Serena will be coaching her little ones someday, especially since Serena's father coached her.
You Have Arrived
Once you've made it to the end of the path, you finally get to see the lovely exterior of the mansion. A stone path passes the front entrance, which is shaded by a large balcony overhead. Surrounding trees on all sides provide ample privacy and keep it cool on warm days in Los Angeles.
The home's unique architecture plays with shapes and angles in such a way that it's hard to imagine there are more than 6,000 square feet inside. Such a grandiose home that doesn't look ostentatious is a rare find.
Plenty Of Yard To Play In
To the left of the home's front door is a rounded wall lined with glass doors and windows that flood the home with natural light. They also offer a view of this lush grass yard. It's a perfect place for children to play.
Since the living room sits just beyond those glass doors, adults can chat inside and still keep an eye on the children playing outside. There is plenty of space to set up a barbeque and invite friends and family over for a picnic, as well.
An Illuminated Living Space
The spacious living room is surrounded by windows and glass doors that overlook the backyard. By day, natural light pours into the space, and by night, recessed lighting illuminates the room.
This area shares a ceiling with the second floor, opening up the space and exposing the white staircase with black trim. The room has plenty of seating for guests and can accommodate a large party. Clear away the furniture and you're left with a glistening, white, marble floor fit for a wedding or a ballroom dance.
A Glistening Foyer
Entering the house through the front door, the first space you'll enter is this expansive foyer. A chandelier with old-timey charm counterbalances the light of the larger spaces so that no area feels dingy.
Glass doors designate the dining room while enabling natural light to pass through. A subtle curve up the underbelly of the staircase plays on the curved wall of the circular living room. While there is white, tile flooring throughout, the pattern varies so that each room is both an extension of and distinct from one another.
A Formal Dining Room With Outdoor Access
The lower ceiling gives a sense of intimacy to this formal dining area as compared to the grandiose living room. A chandelier and light sconces modeled after candle holders bring a touch of history to the elegant area.
Crown molding and patterned tile flooring adds a touch of detail without overpowering the walls. French glass doors flanked by curved wall-to-ceiling windows overlook the nature outside and offer outdoor access or fresh air. The cream walls match the furniture and bring warmth to the space.
No Squeezing By In This Kitchen
This u-shaped kitchen offers plenty of space to move around without bumping into things. Recessed lighting dances across the stainless steel appliances and tile backsplash, which are contrasted by wooden cabinetry. A double oven and double-wide fridge and sink make it possible to prepare and store large meals for the entire family.
While they say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, this is especially true for athletes. The American Dietetic Association estimates that professional tennis players like Serena Williams can burn as many as 1700 calories in a single match!
Her Personal Hair Salon
Serena Williams has pulled off a number of hairstyles over the course of her career-- from beaded hair to a bob, from blonde hair to black, and from voluminous curls to stick straight locks, she can manage all of her styles with her personal hair salon.
When you're a top athlete, why not have the salon come to you? A pink chandelier, hot pink hair washing chair, and pink-cheetah print adjustable chair personalize the space. Wall mirrors enable Serena to keep an eye on her hair from every angle while she watches a flick on her wall-mounted flat screen.
A Multipurpose Dressing Room
Serena clearly takes getting dressed for an event seriously, as shown in this elegant dressing room. Complete with two full-length mirrors, recessed lighting, and a star-shaped ottoman, this space looks like it belongs in an upscale clothing store.
Built-in cabinets and a desk with drawers offer Selena a place to work on her fashion ideas. Not only has she sat front row at numerous fashion shows, but she also put out her own fashion line in 2018. Additionally, she became the board of directors of Poshmark in 2019.
Shelves For Days
Having a room to get ready in is one thing, but she also needs a place to store all of her fabulous clothing. This walk-in closet features a copious number of built-ins so that she can properly store all of her red carpet looks.
Something unique about this spacious closet is that it also features an island, which we imagine comes in handy when laying out an outfit you plan to wear. The island also features built-in drawers to store jewelry and other small accessories.
A Lovely Master Bedroom
An extended tray ceiling and drum pendant chandelier crown this expansive master bedroom. With french doors leading out to a garden-facing balcony, this room is straight out of a fairytale. An arched wall cutout provides a place to mount a flat-screen television along with built-in cabinetry below.
Recessed lighting showcases the items on display atop the built-in shelves. Dark wood floors bring depth to the bright room. The wide bed faces the television as it plays a Serena Williams tennis match.
This Bathroom Has Everything And More
This master suite is one of seven bedrooms in the mansion. It features a long skylight surrounded by a double tray ceiling. A bay window traces one side of the clawfoot tub while thick vegetation outside provides ample privacy.
Arches above the tub, vanity, and shower add a touch of detail to the space. A massive shower stall is complete with a built-in tile bench. A three-way ottoman with back support provides additional seating. A fogged-glass door leads to a separate room where the toilet is located.
Even The Hallway Has A Skylight
Before we head into the next room, let's take a moment to appreciate this expansive hallway. About the size of, if not larger than, a bedroom in a standard house, this area features recessed lighting and a skylight.
Large mirrors and candle holders are mounted to the walls above two plush benches that were custom-built to fit the curve of the wall. Though Serena Williams has built her wealth in her adulthood, she comes from humble beginnings. She was one of several siblings and lived in Compton, California from the age of four to nine.
A Gorgeous Bedroom With A Tray Ceiling
If we hadn't already taken a look at the master suite, you'd guess that this was the master bedroom. A chandelier hangs from a vaulted ceiling and overlooks the four-poster bed. A large area rug brightens the dark wood floors while underscoring the room's large size.
A sliding glass door leads out to the patio above the home's front entrance. Floor to ceiling windows are on walls adjacent to the sliding glass door so that natural light can enter regardless of the position of the sun.
A Room Fit For A Princess
Though Serena's daughter was not yet two-years-old when she sold this mansion, this would have made a lovely room for the girl when she got a little older. French doors lead out to a modest balcony looking out to a lush hillside.
Serena Williams was eight weeks along in her pregnancy when she won the Australian Open in January of 2017, which goes to show her determination and strong will. Though she suffered from some complications that September during her delivery, she was back on the court the following February.
An Athlete Has To Have Her Gym
If there's one thing that you'd expect to see in a famous athlete's home, it's a gym. This home gym is complete with a mirror covering an entire wall, a ceiling fan, and various athletic equipment.
The hardwood floors match the rest of the house, but discrete carpets are laid down beneath major workout equipment to prevent damage being done to the floors. Multiple windows allow fresh air to fill the room. Recess lighting provides enough lighting so that fragile lamps are not necessary.
A Guest Bedroom With An Attached Bathroom
This large bedroom features crown molding and wooden floors that are a distinct shade compared to the rest of the home. Two large windows bring in natural light while a chandelier adds a touch of charm to the space.
Though this is not a master bedroom, there is ample space for furniture of any size, including the large armchair in the corner. A flat-screen television has an adjustable mount so you can comfortably watch a show in bed. An attached bathroom makes this a convenient space for any overnight guests.
A Stylish But Professional Office
As a fashion designer, activist, entertainer, and writer, Serena has plenty of work to get done outside of the tennis court. That's why this lovely office came in handy in the 13 years that she occupied this mansion.
A wall full of built-ins offers ample storage space and a place to showcase photographs and accolades. Free of bulky cabinets, the office feels airy and simple but also has plenty of style. While most of the rooms have light walls, this space features dark wooden walls for design and contrast.
A Room You Wouldn't Mind Having To Share
Being that Serena Williams has twelve siblings (both whole and half), she more than likely had to share a room growing up. While most kids dread having to share a room, this space would easily accommodate two or more children.
The wide space features two large beds, each featuring a fabric bench at their feet. Two glass wardrobes, giant nightstands, and a matching dresser beneath the mounted television provide both storage and elegance without appearing bulky.
Enough Room To House The Entire Family
While this room isn't as large as the one we just saw, it can still comfortably fit two large beds, which is a testament to the size of all of the rooms in this house. Seeing that Serena has so many relatives, this mansion would be ideal around the holidays.
The periwinkle walls are a lovely compliment to the small chandelier and make the room feel all the more soothing. A large doorway leads to a separate seating area followed by a well-lit hallway.
Swimming Under The Trees
Some people have to sacrifice their yard for a pool, especially one of this size. But this mansion offers both an expansive yard and a large pool. The water reflects surrounding trees and hedges that provide plenty of privacy.
Beyond the pool is the back of the house, which features a shaded seating area that surrounds an outdoor fireplace. Speaking of swimming, did you know that Serena and her sister, Venus Williams, are minority owners of the Miami Dolphins?
A Nearby Nature Walk
The mansion also has access to private nature walks. Being a star can make it difficult to get out without being hassled, so being able to connect with nature in a secluded way is wonderful.
Serena Williams can attest that not all parts of Los Angeles are as lovely as Bel Air. To pay homage to their late sister, Serena and Venis Williams founded a resource center in Compton, where they lived for a short time as children.
Her New Home
Serena was able to sell her Bel Air mansion for $8.1 million in 2019 after it sat on the market for almost two years. Her initial asking price was $12 million, almost double what she purchased it for in 2006.
Though she had to lower the asking price, she still profited more than a million dollars, which is nothing compared to her $180 million net worth. She purchased the Beverly Hills mansion pictured here for just under $7 million in 2017.
