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Former soccer-star Ryan Giggs is selling his custom-built mansion in England’s greater Manchester area for £3,5 million (US$4,579 million).
Mr Giggs, 45, one of the most decorated soccer players of all time who played 24 seasons with Manchester United, bought the underlying property in 2004 for £1,94 million, according to records filed with the Land Registry, and immediately set to work planning his dream home.
He went to some pains to build the lavish, five-bedroom, raising the ire of his neighbours when he submitted plans with the local authority to tear down the old Victorian estate known as Silver How and replace it with a clunky brick and faux timber-frame mansion, local media reported at the time.
His plans were eventually approved in spite of the grousing residents of Chatsworth Road, and Mr Giggs built a sprawling 6 700-square-foot house with a double garage and indoor swimming pool.
Images of the home have revealed the soccer star’s taste for the dramatic, including a glossy black “bat cave”-like kitchen and similarly dark bar and lounge.
His taste for the gothic extends to eggplant-coloured velvet upholstery, chandeliers and dark-stained hardwood floors.
The property hit the market this week with real estate agents Briscombe, Nutter and Staff, which did not return a request for comment.
Mr Giggs, now coach of the Welsh national team, also could not immediately be reached for comment. — Mansion Global.
Bongani Ndlovu