Tiger Woods bulldozes his $46m mansion

WHEN Tiger Woods splashed out $46 million on a new lair on one of the world's most exclusive islands, his neighbours expected him to make a few changes. But it seems the world's highest earning athlete had bigger plans - and bulldozed virtually the entire 11-acre site.

Now, having spent two years flattening the existing mansion, three other huge homes, two swimming pools, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, and even a mini-golf course, builders are set to start building the home of Woods' dreams.

The golfing superstar is estimated to be spending another Pounds eight to ten million transforming his lavish ocean-front estate on Jupiter Island on Florida's Atlantic coast.

Not that it will cause too big a dent in the fortunes of the 31-year-old, who, according to Forbes, earned Pounds 45 million last year alone from winnings and endorsements and looks set to become sport's first billionaire.

The 13-time major winner fell in love with Jupiter in early 2006 while searching for a 30th birthday present for himself. His soon-to-be neighbours will include singer Celine Dion and a cluster of multi-millionaire company bosses.

And although all shun publicity, preferring smaller, less flashy developments, not one has complained about the commotion Woods' home has created. The 13-year-old three-storey main house has completely vanished, as well as another two-storey residence and two other single-storey homes.

Scores of trees have also been uprooted and re-grounded. Architects' plans reveal five buildings are now being created, including Woods' main home - a futuristic-style, two-storey house covering 10,000 square foot and featuring huge glass windows, as well as a boat house, golf training studio, garage and guest house.

Two boat docks will also accommodate Woods' 10 million 155-foot yacht Privacy. A tennis court, gym, pool, lap lane, golf training studio and course are also in the pipeline, with construction currently going 'full blast.'

The sensational project will no doubt put Woods' stamp on the island. Security will be tight, although fortress-style walls are banned on the tiny, picturesque island, and heavy landscaping will ensure Woods and his Swedish wife, formerly Elin Nordegren, have the privacy they crave.

The couple, who recently had their first child, daughter Sam Alexis, are set to move into the swish pad when it's finished in 18 months. It sits right at the heart of what Forbes magazine calls "the world's most expensive zip code".

One source said: "It's set to be really flashy but also has some family-friendly features so it's a good combination for the couple. "The playroom is just off the living room so Tiger and Elin will be able to keep their eye on the baby while they chill out.

"It's a bit of a party crib too though, with masses of entertainment space and looks really state-of-the-art with all the glass. "But the neighbours are really private and reserved, so it's uncertain what sort of welcome the family will get."

The golfing champ - ranked No 1 in the world - is keeping a close eye on progress, regularly mooring his yacht alongside the estate to take a look around.

Drawings reveal the ground floor of the main house features a playroom, library, open-plan living area and kitchen. An outside dining terrace looks out onto the pool, pond and water feature.

A glass elevator runs from the grand entrance up to the second floor, where there are three bedrooms plus a luxurious master suite featuring two walk-in wardrobes and his-and-her bathrooms.

A roomy basement houses a huge wine cellar and is also likely to accommodate a state-of-the-art movie theatre and games area. As well as the three-space garage, a motor court will create enough room for Woods' fleet of vehicles.

The golf studio - to the south of the main house - will be kitted out with plush TV and a bar area, where Woods wil be able to unwind in between training sessions. And he will keep his fine physique in check with a basement gym and luxurious spa area.

Jupiter Island building official Jeff Newell said: "Compared with what someone like Tiger Woods could have built, this is really quite modest. "It's very modern development with a lot of glass - basically understated elegance which fits in well with the island.

"He wants his privacy so it will be really heavily landscaped, the greenery will be very dense indeed. "They don't like fortress-style walls there. There have been no objections to the plans and Tiger has pretty much got what he wanted."

Woods' loaded neighbours are low-key and unassuming, having shunned the spotlight cast upon their island by the sports champ's arrival. Woods could even find himself turned away from membership of the local golf club because such high-profile membership would bring too much publicity.

Woods will be able to play on the idyllic course but only as a guest.

An avid scuba diver, Woods had shopped for months to find the right Florida location before plumping for Jupiter Island. He was initially believed to be buying just one lot, the main house, which came fully furnished with rare art, antiques and collectibles.

It also featured 200 feet of oceanfront, plus 350 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. But Woods then snapped up the similar-sized next-door lot after making an offer the owner "couldn't resist", and then bought another two plots.

The superstar met his wife in 2003 when she was working as nanny for fellow pro golfer Jesper Parnevik, and his wife, Mia. The Parneviks, who also live in Jupiter's Indian Hills, may have had an influence on Woods' purchase.

Apart from the new Florida residence, Woods also owns property in Orlando, California, Wyoming and Sweden. It's also been reported that he's set to build a 16,500 square foot mansion in Dubai costing around Pounds 12 million.

Nestling amid an ultra-exclusive gated community, the mansion will come complete with a gymnasium, theatre, library and pool, and will overlook the Al Ruwaya golf course.