NFL phenom Travis Kelce is reportedly building a man cave — complete with a golf simulator — under his new $6 million mansion in Leawood, KS.
Taylor Swift’s better half is part of a growing trend of homeowners building down instead of up.
When more of a house is built below ground than above, it’s called an iceberg house—and it’s a hot trend in architecture and home design right now.
In fact, iceberg homes with pale basements have been called “the newest real estate fad for wealthy homeowners” by the Robb Report.
“In a world where anyone with money can build a magnificent mansion, iceberg homes present a modest exterior while hiding spacious and spacious interiors underground,” says Justin M. Riordan, founder of Spade Design Agency and Archer in Portland, OR and Seattle. . “The hidden resource of iceberg homes reflects a modern understanding that real wealth is about the quality of life inside, not how much is on display.
These sublime underground spaces contain swimming pools, wellness centers, doomsday bunkers or champagne rooms.
“With house prices on the rise, buyers want to maximize their investment and a basement gives them a lot more room to play with – without having to add,” says real estate investor Ron Myers, of Wellington, FL.
But building one isn’t cheap. For example, luxury developers estimate that iceberg projects in Los Angeles can cost more than $1 million, according to Fortune.
And not everyone is a fan of this trend.
East Hampton, NY, Councilwoman Cate Rogers wants more regulations around basement renovations.
She said at a September meeting, “Lower-level finishes now include bowling alleys, wine cellars, tasting rooms, baths and spas.”
But in East Hampton, none of that space counts toward a home’s square footage.
“It’s time to count some of these upgrades to offset the space you might have above ground,” Rogers said.
Places where iceberg houses are popular
While the trend may only be gaining steam in the US, iceberg homes have been wildly popular across the Atlantic in London for over a decade.
In fact, more than 4,600 cellars were granted planning permission there between 2008 and 2017, according to a Newcastle University study for The Guardian.
This included almost 1,000 gyms; 376 swimming pools; 456 cinemas; 381 wine shops and cellars; and 115 staff rooms, such as bedrooms for au pairs and nannies.
There were two cellars more than one pool, and one even had an artificial beach.
Cellars have also gained popularity in many parts of the US.
“I renovated several properties in the suburbs of Atlanta; and I can tell you firsthand, basements are a huge selling point out there,” says Myers. “By updating and renovating unfinished basement space, you really make the home more attractive in a competitive market. It’s how to get an extra floor without expanding the footprint.”
In areas where finished basements are less common, like Phoenix, “homes that have them are in high demand and sell much faster,” says Stacy Miller, real estate agent for the Miller Team at Re/Max Fine Properties in Phoenix. .
In such a warm climate, “it gives extra square footage without having a two-story that seems to require more electricity to keep cool,” Miller adds.
Iceberg homes can also put money in your pocket when used as rentals, according to Myers.
“In my recent projects, I’ve seen buyers light up when they realize the potential for multi-functional basement spaces—such as turning the basement into a profit-making unit,” he says. “That can be a deciding factor when making an offer.”
Possible problems
However, iceberg homes do not come without their own set of headaches and risks.
In 2020, a $6 million house in London completely collapsed during construction work to expand the basement.
Underground construction can be complicated and expensive—and the square footage of a finished basement doesn’t always add to the overall square footage or value of your home.
Since every county and city has different rules, it depends on where you live.
Research also shows that concrete that goes into building basements adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, increases your carbon footprint and helps accelerate climate change.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Basements can also be damp and musty – which can scare people away.
“Some buyers are concerned about moisture control and the overall durability of these spaces, so it’s essential to emphasize proper insulation and ventilation during viewings,” says Scott Waters, a real estate agent for REAL in Glen Allen, VA.
He adds that a good dehumidifier will keep your basement dry and odor-free.
Plus, underground spaces can be prone to flooding.
“Basements quickly become swamps with large pet alligators here in Florida,” says Jeff Lichtenstein, of Echo Fine Properties in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
This is why a good sump pump to prevent flooding is essential.
How to light a space below
Designing and decorating underground spaces presents unique challenges, according to Susann Goerg, interior designer, CEO and creative director of Happy Homes Interior Design.
“There’s often a lack of light and often the height of the ceiling,” she says.
The use of reflective surfaces, such as high-gloss paints, helps increase the distribution of light throughout the space.
“Together with layered lighting—like LED coves or strategically placed wall sconces—you can create a space that feels light and open, even without natural light,” says Goerg.
Bringing in greenery—your indoor plants or vertical gardens—can also add a sense of life and connection to nature that can elevate the feel of an underground space, countering the sometimes closed-in feel of basements.
Here’s a look at some iceberg homes ahead of the trend:
Beneath an ordinary two-story, stucco house is an extraordinary 14,000-square-foot underground house known as the Underground House.
It boasts two bedrooms and three bathrooms and features a pool, waterfalls, two bathrooms and a putting green.
It was last listed for $5.9 million, but the listing was removed in February.
When Sterling McDavid designed a 4,000-square-foot basement as part of the renovation of her parents’ home in Aspen, CO, she included a state-of-the-art gym, lush guest suites and a luxurious bathroom, according to the Wall Street Journal.
While DC is home to the most famous iceberg house of all—the White House—this 7,200-square-foot iceberg house in the heart of the city made jaws drop when it was built in 2020. It has two stories above ground and two floor below.
According to the listing, the lower first level features a large recreation room, a fifth bedroom with a full bath, a second powder room, laundry and maintenance rooms and a three-car garage with three boilers.
The second lower level has an additional 3,000 square feet that is a blank canvas ready to create a dream space.
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Image Source : nypost.com