Roger Federer glorified tennis with his own hands for almost 24 years. Over the years, as he added one title after another to his name, he fell more in love with the sport (almost) every single day. But it’s safe to assume that wasn’t always the case, especially in 2011 – the first season since 2002 that he didn’t win a Grand Slam. While his on-court pursuits weren’t anything to write home about by Federer standards, an off-court investment sure caught a lot of attention. And that’s the same investment he’s let go of now.
As reported by NZZ, the Swiss Maestro bought the exclusive estate in question at the end of 2011 for “an extremely high sum” of around $35 million, taking over from real estate investor Peter Friedli. Located in the Swiss town of Herrliberg, the 5779 square meter plot offered an extraordinary view of the Alps and Lake Zurich but had no lakefront (as opposed to Federer’s current residence in Switzerland). While it’s unclear if he ever lived there, it became obvious that the property wasn’t of much use to the former World No. 1, considering he put it up for sale in 2019.
As Roger Federer bought the land for around $35 million, he may have been looking to profit from the sale. Land prices had almost doubled since the 43-year-old purchased the property in 2011, meaning the plot should’ve been worth around $70 million. Yet, the selling price, which was initially revealed to be a lowly $41 million approximately, was reportedly considered higher than what buyers were willing to pay.
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The fact that the price tag was scaring off potential buyers allegedly prompted Federer and his team to reduce it even further. Per NZZ, the empty plot has now been sold to the Zurich-based Amini Group. While the actual sale price is still undisclosed, “according to market experts, the sum is likely to be closer to 30 million francs than the 35 million originally demanded.” 30 million francs loosely converts to $35 million.
The reason Roger Federer’s Herrliberg land didn’t really see its value shoot up over the years could be because it’s on relatively sloping ground and only partially buildable. But seeing as there’s still an air of speculation around the price being reduced, Federer may have made as much as $41 million from this sale. He also made Amini Group very happy. “We are proud that the Federer family chose us as their buyer,” said managing director Roland Spörri.
As for Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion has quite a few properties to his name. In 2008, he bought an apartment on the south end of Lake Zurich in Basel. However, he sold that property six years later. Then, the same year, he bought another lavish property at the Swiss Village of Vallbella in the Lenzerheide-Valbella ski area. This place is believed to be a popular holiday destination for the family.
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Then, in 2014, Federer reportedly paid almost $7.3 million for a custom-built three-storeyed home in Wollerau, Switzerland. Four years later, reports revealed that his next property ($50 million) was under construction in Rapperswil-Jona. It’s located in a municipality on the northern end of Zurich Lake. Roger Federer’s priciest possessions are believed to be spread worldwide, not just in Switzerland. For instance, he reportedly bought a property in Dubai at the Le Skyscaraper for a staggering $23.5 million. That brings up the question: Where does the Swiss Maestro currently stay?
“I never let anyone come into my house” – Roger Federer
Well, Roger Federer has always been a very private person. However, his fans have always been curious about his life off the court. So, his recent documentary, Federer: Twelve Final Days, played a major role in bridging this gap between the superstar and his fans. They got the chance to know more about him and his life off the court.
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While speaking about permitting filmmakers to enter his house in the documentary, Federer was heard saying, “I never let anyone come into my house.” So, it’s likely that the documentary was the one and only time fans got a glimpse of his present home. Federer moved to this house in Wollerau in 2014. The 1.5-acre property is graced with multiple floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Apart from this house, where he lives with his wife and children, Federer has another one for his parents.
The bedrooms in the Wollerau home are crafted with a minimalistic style, giving them an attractive look. It has multiple swimming pools, a gym, an underground parking garage, a spa, and a huge stone fireplace. This dream house also offers a clear view of the scenic beauty of Lake Zurich. Which among these houses do you think is the Swiss Maestro’s most beautiful property?
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Roger Federer just made $4.1M from selling his Swiss property—Is there anything this man can't do?
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