It’s the ultimate dream – a beautiful home with all the gadgets needed to make life just that little bit easier and a sports court to help keep the body tightly honed to face the stresses of the workplace.
When that workplace happens to be the seat of government, a royal palace or the domain of a billionaire, then the sky’s the limit in terms of what can be included in a sports court. Many famous residencies have these features and they can be opened up to people who do not live or work there, giving a public face to what would otherwise be considered as private.
So who has these amazing sports courts? Scroll down to discover a few answers.
The White House
America’s iconic seat of power, the President’s home, and one which seems to have been destroyed unimaginable times at the movies. With all the politics and problems that have to be dealt with, it seems sensible for there to be easy access to a sports court there.
That’s what The White House has, a court that was adapted when President Obama took office; it was converted from a tennis court to one that could be used both for tennis and basketball. The adaptation means that there is enough space now for a game of basketball on a full court. The court has been opened to many from outside The White House, including players from the Wounded Warrior project that aims to help those who have been injured in the country’s service, to top college basketball teams.
High quality surfaces and facilities can be found through various sources, so the facilities available at famous residences can be recreated at home.
Buckingham Palace
Built at the beginning of the 18th century, Buckingham Palace is known the world over as the official residence of the Queen of England. It is one of the most popular places for vacationers to visit, and parts of it are open to the public at certain times of the year. The Queen hosts Garden Parties for honored guests, but many may be unaware that in the palace gardens is a tennis court, a nod to the long tradition of this sport in the UK that reaches its apogee every year at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Miami mansion
As one of America’s former great basketball players, Shaquille O’Neill has an amazing home that hosts a full tennis court as well as a gym and, as might be expected, a basketball court. Sporting celebrities don’t come much bigger than Shaq so it stands to reason that his sports court facilities are as big as they come!
Beckingham Palace
David and Victoria Beckham’s former English pad isn’t really called Beckingham Palace, but the tabloid soubriquet has stuck. As one of the most famous soccer players in the world teamed with a former Spice Girl and now major fashion designer, one might expect some sports related activity, and the property has a gym and swimming pool for the new owners to enjoy.
Mark Wahlberg
This court may be in Beverly Hills, California but it once belonged to Mark Wahlberg so you know it has to have a Celtics logo at midcourt. The property also has a swimming pool, putting green and indoor gym with a roll up door that looks out over this awesome outdoor sports court.
Photo Sources: 1. Land & Water Design, 2. Arterra LLP Landscape Architects, 3. Edina Realty, 4. Estately, 5. Estately, 6. Estately, 7. John F Buchan Homes, 8. Pinterest, 9. Revival Arts | Architectural Photography, 10. Snap Sports, 11. TRG Architects, 12. Courts of the World, 13. White House Museum, 14. Vesta Homes, 15. – 16. Valley News, 17. Luxist, 18. Extravaganzi, 19. Estately
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