Set on 13.5 acres northeast of Houston, George Foreman’s former custom-built mansion is hitting the market for sale.
Courtesy the Compean Group
George Foreman, former heavyweight boxing champion, later became a minister. Pictured is Foreman in his church in 2015.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
A person takes a photo of a memorial floral arrangement with a portrait of George Foreman during a memorial service at Wortham Theater Center in Houston on April 14, 2025.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Behind the gates of a private compound northeast of Houston, the legacy of late boxing legend George Foreman is woven into nearly every detail of his former sprawling 13.5-acre estate.
There’s an 11,000-square-foot garage that once housed Foreman’s collection of 40 luxury cars; an air-conditioned dog kennel and huge yard where his 16 dogs once played; a large pond surrounded by woods where he taught his grandchildren to fish; a standalone hair salon he had built for his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, plus an air-conditioned room for her to store her fur coats.
Now, a little more than 18 months after the former Olympic gold medalist, minister and businessman died at age 76 in Houston, his family is preparing to sell the estate for $6 million. They expect to put the 11,968-square-foot home on the market this week, said their real estate agent, Evan Compean, Realtor and founder of the Compean Group.
Article continues below this ad
RELATED: Photos of George Foreman in Houston highlight key moments of his career
George Foreman’s former estate in Huffman, northeast of Houston, includes an expansive one-story residence spanning roughly 11,968 square feet, along with a 11,000-square-foot garage.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
A view of the landscaped plaza seen behind the home.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
Foreman and his wife, Mary Joan Martelly, added water features throughout the estate while designing the home.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
An ornate chandelier and golden molding anchor the formal foyer.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
One of the formal dining rooms located off the foyer.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
A home office and library where Foreman once spent much of his time.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
One of two primary suite bathrooms is shrouded in marble.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
A massive, air-conditioned garage housed George Foreman’s huge car collection.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
A large pond on the property was routinely stocked with fish.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
A second set of gates opens into a long driveway with a covered porte-cochère and marble steps at George Foreman’s former residence northeast Houston.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
The gated main residence is set on roughly 13.5 acres within a second set of gates for a private 28-acre compound in the Commons at Lake Houston community.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
Located at 29310 Martelly Way in the Commons at Lake Houston community, the estate offers a rare look at the private world Foreman created in Huffman after his career as a heavyweight boxing champion.
Foreman had a larger-than-life presence, said his daughter, Natalie Foreman, and the home feels empty without him. She said her hope is that a future buyer will fill the property with gatherings and celebrations, carrying on their family’s legacy.
Article continues below this ad
“In a perfect world, somebody’s having the big Thanksgiving parties, the big New Year’s parties that we used to have and popping firecrackers in the front yard, Fourth of July, those are the things we did here; watching dad ride horses, watching new cars pull in,” Foreman said.
Her parents relocated to the Huffman home in the early 2000s after her father’s car collection outgrew their former residence in Kingwood, she said. The couple spent two years designing the main residence, importing marble for flooring and installing elaborate European-inspired chandeliers in the formal foyer and dining rooms.
The heart of the home is a light-filled atrium with soaring glass ceilings that allow sunlight to filter into a ballroom-style living space below. The atrium has hosted countless family gatherings and even a wedding reception for one of Foreman’s daughters, Leola. Two wings of the home branch off from this central atrium: one wing includes a gourmet kitchen, a living room and five bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom.
More luxury real estate: Former special envoy to George W. Bush lists his $4 million Sugar Land home for sale
George Foreman, left, hits Michael Moorer during the second round of their heavyweight championship fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Nov. 5, 1994.
Lennox McLendon/Associated Press
The opposite side of the house is what his daughter lovingly referred to as “dad’s wing.” There, Foreman’s evolving career and life passions unfold across a series of rooms. A fully equipped home gym is lined with glass cases where boxing memorabilia and trophies once were displayed (they have since been removed from the property for security reasons). The gymnasium later became the place where he would hang out with his grandchildren, watching TV or teaching the youngest how to safely roll, his daughter said.
Article continues below this ad
A wall of windows wrapping around the gym features custom stained glass with a mix of animal motifs nodding to his hunting and German shepherd-raising hobbies. The gym flows into a kitchen anchored by an island emblazoned with the cursive initials “G.F.”, where he would often film commercials for his iconic grill. Behind the kitchen, a library and small studio served as an office where Foreman would plan and record sermons.
One of two kitchens on the property, this served as a space for Foreman to cook and sometimes film commercials for the George Foreman Grill.
Courtesy of the Compean Group
The main residence is elevated and backed up with a whole-home generator, offering peace of mind during major storm events, Natalie Foreman said.
The Bid: He won millions playing fantasy football, then built this 14-acre Katy estate. Guess the price
The property could appeal to buyers seeking a sense of privacy or space for a large, multi-generational family, said Compean, the listing agent.
Article continues below this ad
“There’s a lot of a lot of good history to it, and then a lot of potential as well to come in and customize it, revisualize what the space could be, while maintaining some of the history to it too,” Compean said.
Even if a family doesn’t purchase the property, Natalie Foreman said she could envision it being turned into a community center or gathering space.
“I just hope there is a lot of life, and a lot of laughter, because that’s what it was for us,” she said.
PRIME PROPERTY: Track interesting properties and real estate news with the Chronicle’s weekly real estate newsletter