Phillies Legend Ryan Howard Sells $16.5M Florida Mansion

PHILADELPHIA — If you had your eye on this 19,578-square-foot mansion, you're too late. The beachfront mansion of retired Phillies All-Star Ryan Howard sold for a record $16.5 million to real estate investor Ben Mallah.

Mallah told the Tampa Bay Times that he purchased the home for his wife, Karla, for their 15th wedding anniversary.

The highest amount previously paid for a Tampa Bay home was $11.18 million in 2017 for a 14-bedroom mansion on Clearwater Harbor, according to Realtor.com.

The Howard, who retired last year and is now a children's author, built the mansion along 200 feet of private beach in 2014.

With the addition of its numerous terraces and covered loggia, the actual square footage of the mansion is closer to 40,000 square feet.

The three-story mansion features a lazy river with waterfalls, bridges, a bar, and grotto that winds throughout the grounds. Among the amenities are a two-story paneled library, a bowling alley, a wine cellar, a secure art gallery and a trophy room complete with glass cases.

With custom ceilings and finishes throughout, the mansion has a chef's kitchen, fitness center, game room with bar, custom home theater, panic room, and six-car garage as well.

This listing originally appeared on realtor.com. For more information and photos, click here.

Story by D'Ann Lawrence White