Shaq looking to buy home in Lauderdale
Star Island not secluded enough for Heat star.
By Sarah Talalay
Staff Writer
Posted July 8 2005
Tired of the steady stream of boaters that stop by to gawk at his Star Island mansion, Heat center Shaquille O'Neal is looking to take up residence in Fort Lauderdale, sources said.
In August, O'Neal spent $18.8 million for a 19,440-square-foot, eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom house at 26 Star Island Drive, which is now on the market.
Sources say O'Neal is looking for a more secluded spot for his wife and five children. The Fort Lauderdale house O'Neal is believed to be eyeing is on the water but is less accessible to nosy onlookers.
O'Neal's agent, Perry Rogers, did not respond to a telephone message or e-mail seeking comment. Rogers and Heat executives are negotiating a contract that could keep O'Neal, 33, with the Heat for another four or five years.
Carlos Justo, of Sol Sotheby's Realty in Miami, who said he sold O'Neal the Star Island home but is not listing it now, said he received an offer of more than $25 million
for it five months ago, but O'Neal was not interested in selling then.