Ben Simmons House: Inside His $17M Brooklyn Penthouse After $5.5M Loss
The Ben Simmons house story reads like a masterclass in both luxury living and expensive lessons learned. From million-dollar losses to stunning waterfront views, the Australian NBA star’s real estate portfolio tells a fascinating tale. His current Brooklyn penthouse represents both his evolving taste and hard-earned wisdom from previous property investments.
Current Home: The $17M Brooklyn Dumbo Penthouse
The Ben Simmons house that’s making headlines sits in Brooklyn’s exclusive Dumbo neighborhood, currently listed for $16.995 million. This isn’t just another celebrity crash pad—it’s a carefully crafted 5,261-square-foot sanctuary spanning the entire 21st floor. Simmons combined two separate units to create this custom residence that perfectly suits his 6’10” frame and lifestyle needs.
The penthouse features five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, designed by the acclaimed Widell & Boschetti team for maximum luxury and functionality. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the space, creating an almost 360-degree viewing experience of Manhattan’s iconic skyline. The sophisticated Savant home-automation system controls everything from lighting to climate, making daily life seamlessly convenient for the busy athlete.
What sets this Ben Simmons house apart is its 322-square-foot wraparound terrace offering breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline, and Brooklyn Bridge. The outdoor space serves as a private observatory where Simmons can escape the city’s hustle while staying connected to its energy. The terrace extends the living space outdoors, perfect for entertaining or quiet reflection after intense games.
Design Details That Define Luxury Living
The interior design reflects Simmons’ personality through carefully chosen personal touches that make this Ben Simmons house uniquely his own. A dedicated walk-in shoe closet houses his extensive sneaker collection, showcasing the importance of footwear in basketball culture and his personal style. Floor-to-ceiling acrylic display cases feature his collection of vinyl bear statues, adding whimsical character to the sophisticated space.
The great room flows seamlessly from living to dining areas, with a wet bar positioned strategically around the corner for entertaining. Modern maple cabinetry defines the kitchen, anchored by a stone-topped island that serves as both workspace and casual dining spot. High-end Gaggenau appliances ensure that meal preparation matches the penthouse’s luxury standards throughout the space.
One bedroom has been converted into a personal gym, demonstrating Simmons’ commitment to maintaining peak physical condition year-round. The home theater provides entertainment for family and friends, reflecting his appreciation for hosting loved ones in comfort. Adrian Grenier’s house showcases similar entertainment-focused design elements that celebrities often prioritize in their homes.
The Hidden Hills Disaster: A $5.5M Lesson
Before his current Brooklyn success, the Ben Simmons house story includes a painful chapter in California’s Hidden Hills community. Simmons purchased a 12,000-square-foot modern farmhouse for $17.5 million in 2021, expecting to capitalize on the luxury market. The property featured seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and celebrity-worthy amenities including a 6,000-pound brass floating fireplace.
The Hidden Hills mansion boasted dual kitchen spaces, a custom gymnasium, and a unique Zen garden staircase featuring a bonsai tree. Outside amenities included a 65-foot swimming pool, sophisticated cabana, and detached guesthouse with its own infinity plunge pool among olive trees. Despite these impressive features, the property became a financial nightmare when Simmons attempted to sell in 2022.
After listing the mansion for $23 million and reducing the price multiple times, Simmons ultimately sold through auction for $12.1 million. The loss of approximately $5.5 million taught him valuable lessons about market timing, pricing strategy, and buyer appeal. This experience directly influenced his more conservative approach to his current Ben Simmons house in Brooklyn’s stable market.
Location Analysis: Why Dumbo Works
Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood represents a smart choice for Simmons’ current Ben Simmons house investment strategy after his Hidden Hills experience. The area has transformed from heavy manufacturing to trendy residential district, with converted factory buildings attracting affluent residents consistently. Average home values reach $1.9 million, positioning Simmons’ property in the ultra-luxury segment with strong market fundamentals.
The exclusive 33-story Olympia building houses only 76 units, maintaining scarcity value that supports premium pricing in competitive markets. Other celebrities including tennis star Naomi Osaka and actor Michael B. Jordan have chosen the same building, suggesting sustained demand. The building’s exclusivity and neighborhood transformation create ongoing appreciation potential that supports Simmons’ asking price.
Dumbo’s unique character, standing for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass,” offers privacy while maintaining Manhattan accessibility for games. The location provides the perfect balance between urban convenience and residential tranquility that professional athletes require. Kathy Warden’s house demonstrates how strategic location choices can significantly impact property values over time.
Real Estate Strategy: Learning From Mistakes
Simmons’ Ben Simmons house decisions reveal a learning curve that mirrors his professional basketball development over his career. His early investments focused primarily on proximity to team facilities and basic luxury amenities without considering resale potential. More recent acquisitions demonstrate sophisticated understanding of design, customization, and long-term value creation through strategic planning.
The Brooklyn residence exemplifies this evolution with specialized storage solutions, display cases, and dedicated training spaces that enhance both lifestyle and property value. These elements reflect deeper understanding of how residential spaces can support professional performance and personal satisfaction simultaneously. His willingness to combine two units shows improved spatial planning and investment thinking.
Market timing played a crucial role in both his Hidden Hills loss and Brooklyn success, teaching valuable lessons about purchase timing. His Hidden Hills purchase occurred during pandemic-driven real estate peaks when buyers paid premium prices for luxury properties nationwide. Conversely, his Brooklyn acquisition happened during more stable market conditions with established pricing and neighborhood trends.
Financial Impact and Current Market Position
The Ben Simmons house portfolio reflects both the opportunities and risks of celebrity real estate investment in volatile markets. His Hidden Hills loss of $5.5 million represents a substantial but manageable portion of his $40 million annual salary. The experience provided expensive but valuable education about luxury market dynamics and celebrity property challenges.
Brooklyn’s luxury market presents different dynamics with strong performance metrics supporting Simmons’ current asking price of $16.995 million. According to market analysis, Brooklyn concluded 2024 with solid performance including 1,102 closed sales and 13% inventory growth. The average price reached its second-highest point in two-and-a-half years, with strong demand in the $2 million-plus range.
His current listing timing aligns with favorable market conditions that could help recover his investment and demonstrate improved real estate acumen. The Dumbo neighborhood’s continued transformation and Brooklyn’s luxury market fundamentals provide supportive environment for achieving his asking price. This Ben Simmons house represents an opportunity to prove his evolved understanding of luxury real estate investment strategies.
Conclusion: From Losses to Lessons
The Ben Simmons house story illustrates how professional athletes can learn from expensive mistakes to make smarter real estate decisions. His journey from Hidden Hills losses to Brooklyn’s promising market position shows growth in both personal taste and investment strategy. The current penthouse listing represents not just a home, but proof of evolved decision-making in luxury real estate markets.
Simmons’ preference for waterfront locations and natural settings, combined with lessons learned from market timing, will likely influence future property decisions. His philosophical evolution toward valuing happiness over pure financial returns suggests a more balanced approach to real estate investment. The Brooklyn penthouse stands as testament to this growth, offering both lifestyle satisfaction and sound investment potential.
