Travis Kelce Joins the ‘Iceberg House’ Trend: Why So Many Homeowners Are Building Down Instead of Up

by Julie Taylor

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

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 in Portland, OR, and Seattle. “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 centers, doomsday bunkers, or champagne rooms.

“With home prices rising, buyers want to maximize 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, of Wellington, FL.

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.

Travis Kelce is building a man cave under his new house, which sits on a private 3.5-acre lot.

Dawn Connor

And not everybody’s a fan of this trend.

East Hampton, NY, 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 U.S., iceberg homes have been wildly popular across the Atlantic in London for more than a decade.

In fact, more than 4,600 basements were granted planning permission there from 2008 to 2017, according to a study by Newcastle University for The Guardian.

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

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

“I’ve renovated a few properties in the Atlanta suburbs; and I can tell you firsthand, 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 at Re/Max Fine Properties in Phoenix.

In such a warm climate, “this gives additional square footage without having a two-story 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 realize 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.

Since every county and city has different regulations, it depends on where you live.

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 livability of these spaces, so it’s crucial to highlight proper insulation and ventilation during viewings,” says Scott Waters, a real estate agent for REAL in Glen Allen, VA.

He adds that a good dehumidifier will keep your basement dry and odor-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, FL.

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.

Here’s a look at a few iceberg homes ahead of the trend:

Las Vegas, NV

Beneath an ordinary two-story, stucco home is an extraordinary 14,000-square-foot subterranean home known as the Underground House.

It boasts two bedrooms and three bathrooms and features a pool, waterfalls, two spas, and a putting green.

It was last listed for $5.9 million, but the listing was removed back in February.

iceberg houses — The home above the Underground House in Las Vegas
Realtor.com

iceberg house — The “exterior” of the Underground House in Las Vegas is actually indoors.
Realtor.com

Aspen, CO

When Sterling McDavid designed a 4,000-square-foot basement as part of her parents’ house renovation in Aspen, CO, she included a high-end gym, lush guest suites, and a luxury spa, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Washington, DC

While DC is home to the most famous iceberg house of all—the White House—this 7,200-square-foot iceberg home in the heart of the city made jaws drop when it was built in 2020. It has two floors above ground and two floors below.

According to the listing, the first lower level features a large recreation room, a fifth bedroom with a full bathroom, a second powder room, laundry and maintenance rooms, and a three-car garage with three electric power stations.

The second lower level has an additional 3,000 square feet that’s a blank canvas, ready for creating a dream space.