Before settling into a quieter chapter of life, Olympic legend Michael Phelps called a sprawling Scottsdale, Arizona estate his home.

Purchased in 2015 for approximately $2.5 million, the single-story residence sat nestled against the Camelback Mountains, offering sweeping views of the desert landscape.

Built for both comfort and privacy, it became the base where Phelps, his wife Nicole Johnson, and their son Boomer began their life together following his retirement from competitive swimming.

A Resort-Like Layout

The 6,010-square-foot home was designed with both luxury and athletic practicality in mind.

It featured five bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, and expansive open-plan living spaces with vaulted ceilings, European stone floors, and custom lighting.

The living and dining rooms were divided by a double-sided fireplace, while glass doors opened onto outdoor patios perfect for entertaining.

True to Phelps’s aquatic roots, the exterior offered the kind of features only a world-class swimmer could fully appreciate: a lap pool, spa, and two-tiered decks that flowed seamlessly into the surrounding desert.

The estate’s design balanced elegance with functionality, blending modern architecture with warm natural materials.

Desert Luxury Amid Drought Debate

Despite its beauty, the property drew occasional criticism from locals concerned about water conservation.

Arizona had been urging residents to cut back amid recurring drought conditions, and Phelps’s multiple pools became an unlikely topic of conversation.

Though he never addressed the controversy publicly, Phelps quietly maintained his focus on family and training, using the home’s private facilities to stay active while mentoring athletes at nearby Arizona State University.

Built for Family and Focus

Designed by yacht builder Henry Mohrschladt, the home reflected both craftsmanship and calm—qualities that defined Phelps’s post-Olympic life.

Lush landscaping and fruit trees surrounded the property, offering a contrast to the stark desert beyond.

Inside, high-end appliances, four fireplaces, and handcrafted finishes made it a haven from the public eye.

A Sold Chapter in the Sun

Phelps eventually sold the Scottsdale estate, closing the chapter on his Arizona years.

Yet the home remains one of the most recognized athlete-owned properties in the state—an emblem of how the most decorated Olympian of all time found peace, privacy, and, fittingly, water in the middle of the desert.