In the wake of his 2022 transition from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers, NFL running back Christian McCaffrey is parting ways with his last remaining North Carolina property.
After successfully selling his Charlotte condo for $3 million in late 2023, McCaffrey is now putting his sprawling French château-inspired estate on the market, nestled along the scenic shores of nearby Lake Norman, with an asking price of $12.5 million.
Situated on approximately 9 acres, the gated property boasts two gyms and an impressive 500 feet of lake frontage, according to the listing.
McCaffrey, 27, expressed the difficulty of parting with the property in an email to the Wall Street Journal, which was the first to report on the listing, saying, “It was such a difficult decision to have to sell this house, but because I play in the Bay now, I am never there.”
The NFL star, who was drafted by the Panthers in 2017, added that the condo and the Lake Norman home were his sole North Carolina properties.
“It pains me letting them go, but that’s life I guess.”
Having vacated the Lake Norman residence, McCaffrey’s former abode is now staged for potential buyers.
McCaffrey’s connection with the Lake Norman estate dates back to 2020, when he bought it for $7.5 million, setting a sales record for the Charlotte metro area at the time.
Although this record was surpassed in 2023, McCaffrey’s sale could potentially reclaim its title if it fetches the asking price.
The estate includes a sprawling 12,000-square-foot, six-bedroom main home, complemented by a one-bedroom guesthouse connected via a porte-cochere.
The property, built in 2019, offers serene views of the lake.
Initially intended as a seasonal retreat, McCaffrey made the estate his fulltime residence due to his love of the surroundings.
He told The Journal, “The backyard was my favorite place. To go out in the morning and look over the lake with a warm coffee was the best way to wake up.”
Apart from the main home’s existing gym in the basement, McCaffrey converted a three-car garage under the guesthouse into a larger, second gym equipped for his rigorous training during the season.
Victoria Speer of The Agency Charlotte holds the listing.
The workout equipment can be negotiated as part of the home sale, according to Speer.
The property boasts additional luxuries such as a wood-paneled study, a stone wine cellar, a sauna, an elevator and a bar room opening to the pool area.
Notable features include a two-story closet and a screened-in terrace in the primary suite, a 60-foot turreted ceiling in the foyer, a double-sided fireplace in the great room and a custom-made La Cornue Château series range in the kitchen.
A hidden panic room with a vault door adds an extra layer of security.
McCaffrey fondly recalls the estate’s movie theater as one of his favorite amenities, saying, “Movie nights were always some of the best nights at the house.”
The extensive grounds feature a saltwater pool with a spa, a fire pit, a grill area and a second-floor outdoor kitchen.
A paved pathway leads to a dock on the lake, where McCaffrey’s boat, named Olivia after his fiancée, former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, is docked.
The boat, along with a Wildcat four-wheeler, a jet ski and a golf cart, will be included in the sale price, as confirmed by Speer.
Reflecting on his cherished memories, McCaffrey told the outlet, “Being able to come home after a day out on the water to the smell of the grill, music playing, and family and friends hanging out, swimming, roasting s’mores, and playing lawn games will be some of my best memories forever.”
Hailing from Colorado, McCaffrey played for Stanford University before joining the Panthers, and recently scored two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers, securing San Francisco’s spot in the upcoming NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions.
If successful, McCaffrey could be on the verge of clinching his first Super Bowl title with the 49ers.