A sprawling Houston estate once owned by former NBA star Nick Van Exel-and famously featured on MTV Cribs-is headed to the auction block, giving luxury buyers a rare shot at scooping up one of the city’s most dramatic homes for far less than its nearly $10 million list price.
The 20,932-square-foot mansion at 3102 Noble Lakes Ln., inside the exclusive Royal Oaks Country Club, includes six bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a private bowling alley, a 26-seat theater, dual kitchens, an infinity-edge pool and a 3,000-gallon aquarium. The home sits on almost 0.7 acres and is about 30 minutes from downtown Houston.
The auction, set for Dec. 3–17 through Concierge Auctions, opens with bids reportedly starting in the $4-6 million range-a steep discount from the home’s $9.99 million asking price. According to listing agent Diane Kingshill, of Sotheby’s International Realty, the unique nature of the property makes auction the ideal format.
3102 Noble Lakes Lane in Houston, Texas. It was the former home of NBA superstar Nick van Exel. (Steve Chenn)
“There’s simply nothing else in Houston like this home,” Kingshill said. “The privacy, the scale, the interiors, the location-there’s no comparable property to price it against. Rather than guessing, the auction lets the market determine the value.”
The mansion’s history has long been part of its mystique. Built in 2002, it shot to notoriety when Van Exel showcased its original Mediterranean design on “Cribs”. When the current owners purchased it, Kingshill said the house underwent a massive, multi-year transformation.
3102 Noble Lakes Lane in Houston, Texas. It was the former home of NBA superstar Nick van Exel. (Steve Chenn)
“They took the roof off. They removed every bit of stucco. At one point, you could see straight through the home,” she said. “They added another level, brought in engineers, converted the structure to steel and installed systems required for four-story homes. The renovation alone was north of $14 million-and that’s not including the original purchase price.”
3102 Noble Lakes Lane in Houston, Texas. It was the former home of NBA superstar Nick van Exel. (Steve Chenn)
The result, she said, is an architectural showpiece with exceptional craftsmanship. Among its standout features: 72 custom walnut doors, including a front door that is five feet wide and 18 feet tall and was once believed to be the largest residential door in the country. The back façade opens at the touch of an iPad, sliding away to blend the living area with the infinity pool, lake and golf course beyond.
“It’s an entertainer’s dream,” Kingshill said. “A 3,000-gallon aquarium, two bars, disappearing glass walls-everything about the house is designed for a spectacular indoor-outdoor lifestyle.”
3102 Noble Lakes Lane in Houston, Texas. It was the former home of NBA superstar Nick van Exel. (Steve Chenn)
Kingshill noted the home will be sold fully furnished, except for a few pieces of art and personal items.
The auction process is already underway. Interested buyers must tour the property, review a full due-diligence packet, and place a refundable $100,000 deposit to submit a sealed bid. Those bids will set the auction’s price floor, with the live auction taking place on Dec. 17 in New York.
“The auction gives us global reach,” Kingshill said.
For luxury collectors, sports fans or buyers hunting for an entertainer’s paradise, the countdown has begun.
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This article originally published at NBA all-star’s former Houston party mansion to be sold to the highest bidder.