Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce joins ‘iceberg house’ trend

NFL star Travis Kelce has plans to follow the “newest real estate flex for wealthy homeowners” at his mansion in the United States.

NFL phenom Travis Kelce is reportedly building a man cave — complete with a golf simulator — underneath his new $6 million mansion in Leawood, Kansas.

Taylor Swift’s better half is part of a growing trend of homeowners who are 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 smoking-hot trend in architecture and home design right now.

In fact, iceberg homes with blinged-out basements have been called the “newest real estate flex for wealthy homeowners” by the Robb Report.

“In a world where anyone with money can build a flashy mansion, iceberg homes present a modest exterior while concealing lavish, expansive interiors below ground,” says Justin M. Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency.

“The hidden opulence of iceberg homes reflects a modern understanding that true wealth is about the quality of life inside, not how much of it is on display.”

These sublime subterranean spaces feature swimming pools, wellness centres, doomsday bunkers or champagne rooms.

“With home prices rising, buyers want to maximise their investment, and a basement gives them a lot more space to play with—without needing to add on,” says real estate investor Ron Myers.

But building one is not cheap. For instance, luxury developers estimate that iceberg projects in Los Angeles may cost more than $1 million, according to Fortune.

And not everybody’s a fan of this trend.

East Hampton, New York, 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, bathrooms and spas.”

But in East Hampton, none of that space is calculated in a home’s square footage.

“It’s time to count some of these improvements to offset the space you can have above ground,” said Rogers.

Places where iceberg homes are popular

While the trend might only just be gaining steam in the US, iceberg homes have been wildly popular across the Atlantic in London for more than a decade.

In fact, more than 4600 basements were granted planning permission there from 2008 to 2017, according to a study by Newcastle University for The Guardian.

This included almost 1000 gyms; 376 pools; 456 cinemas; 381 wine stores and cellars; and 115 staff quarters, such as bedrooms for au pairs and nannies.

Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce is joining the “iceberg house” trend. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Two basements had more than one pool, and one even had an artificial beach.

Basements have gained popularity in many parts of the US, as well.

“I’ve renovated a few properties in the Atlanta suburbs; and I can tell you first-hand, basements are a huge selling point there,” says Myers.

“By updating and renovating the unfinished basement space, you really make the home more attractive in a competitive market. It’s like getting a whole extra floor without expanding the footprint.”

In areas where finished basements are less common, such as Phoenix, “homes that have them are highly sought after and sell much quicker”, says Stacy Miller, real estate agent for The Miller Team.

In such a warm climate, “this gives additional square footage without having a two-storey that seems to take more electricity to keep cool”, adds Miller.

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 realise the potential for multifunctional spaces in the basement—such as turning the basement into a rentable unit,” he says. “That can be a deciding factor when an offer is made.”

Potential issues

However, iceberg homes don’t come without their own set of headaches and risk.

Back in 2020, a $6 million London home completely collapsed during building work to extend the basement.

Underground construction can be complicated and costly — and the square footage of a finished basement doesn’t always add to your home’s overall square footage or appraisal value.

Travis Kelce has also built a pickleball court at his Kansas mansion. Picture: Backgrid

Research also shows that the concrete that goes into building basements adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, increases your carbon footprint, and helps speed up climate change.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended).

Basements can also be damp and musty — which can freak people out.

“Some buyers worry about moisture control and the overall liveability of these spaces, so it’s crucial to highlight proper insulation and ventilation during viewings,” says Scott Waters, a real estate agent in Virginia.

He adds that a good dehumidifier will keep your basement dry and odour-free.

Plus, subterranean spaces can be flood-prone.

“Basements quickly become swamps with big pet alligators here in Florida,” says Jeff Lichtenstein, of Echo Fine Properties in Palm Beach Gardens.

That’s why a good sump pump to prevent flooding is essential.

How to brighten up a space below

Designing and decorating below-ground 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 ceiling height,” she says.

Using reflective surfaces, such as high-gloss paint finishes, helps enhance light distribution throughout the space.

“Coupled 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,” Goerg says.

Bringing in greenery — via 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-enclosed feeling of basements.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission