Mike Tyson’s Mansion Near Cleveland Sat Abandoned Since 1999 Before It Became a Church

If you've never heard about it, you might be surprised to learn that Mike Tyson once had a mansion here in Ohio. However, he and his pet tigers once enjoyed the luxury of the Northeast Ohio landscape, surrounded by exquisite architecture and an opulent lifestyle. Following 1999, however, his once-gorgeous home, the Mike Tyson Ohio mansion, entered a new era as an abandoned Ohio mansion. Today, it has been given a second chance at life, but its former decade as an abandoned building in total disrepair remains in local memory. Check it out:

Once upon a time, Mike Tyson left his Southington Township mansion in Ohio (about an hour away from Cleveland) and never returned. Don't worry, it's not as sinister as it sounds. The story starts years ago. The home was originally built for a local politician in 1979, though he was eventually convicted of corruption. Interestingly, Mike Tyson purchased the house in Ohio following his 1995 release from prison. Something about this unique property spoke to him.

While it was once the pinnacle of ‘90s luxury, this home eventually fell into disrepair. It's heart-wrenching to see such a beautiful property slowly deteriorate. Some rooms fared well, essentially becoming time capsules. Others were largely destroyed. The photos pictured here depict the mansion as it appeared about a decade into its abandonment. It's fascinating to see how the state of decay contrasts with the once-lavish, glamorous surroundings.

Can you imagine getting married here? As it looks in this image, you might say no way, but the Living Word Sanctuary Church spent years breathing new life into the once run-down property. If you visit the church, you can see how beautiful this space could be in the hands of a larger organization. For years, volunteers spent their Saturdays and any free time transforming the Mike Tyson abandoned mansion into a holy space. Their work finally paid off in late 2019 when it quietly opened. An official grand opening was held when the finishing touches were put on the lush and beautiful landscape work.

This swimming pool, though once green and gross, is now a sanctuary that could seat up to 300 people. While the home may have fallen into disrepair, the estate's surroundings remained beautiful. Today, over three total acres of pond water add a certain sort of enchantment to the landscape. In its newly repaired state, you can understand what attracted Mike Tyson to the property in the first place. Today, biblical verses decorate these once-neglected walls, and the beauty of the home’s architecture is once again evident.

While it was formerly in disrepair, its 27,000 square feet of space has enjoyed a beautiful transformation since its purchase in 2010. The tiger print is now gone, and the tigers that Tyson used to house at the site? They’ve been gone for decades, and their cages have since been disassembled. We won't lie, when Mike Tyson owned the house, and it was in its heyday, it was an extremely cool mansion. But it's also beautiful to see the extraordinary property come to life again with the church and its community. And, the best part? Everyone is happy!

The church now occupying this space formerly gathered in the local YMCA. This is a huge upgrade for them, allowing them to provide many more community services. Mike Tyson is now retired and living in another fabulous house, and many members of the community have eagerly watched as this church has slowly transformed over the past few years.

The building would have been more than $7 million to build today… so this local non-denominational church really got a deal when they snagged it for $50,000! That's the perk of renovating an abandoned building. Plus, you get to tailor it to your needs and specifications.

If you were given a home like this, how would you breathe new life into it? If you want to check out the church’s transformation, you can go and see it in person and imagine what a different place it is from when Mike Tyson and his pet lions roamed the property. Book a cozy a-frame cabin, stay a night or two, and check out more of the area while you're there!

This formerly abandoned Mike Tyson mansion in Ohio is an interesting piece of Ohio History. Did you know it was one of Ohio's most fascinating abandoned places? Did you have a chance to see the property before it was reborn?

This isn't the only Ohio landmark to enjoy a second life. The formerly abandoned Van Gorder Manor in Willoughby, Ohio, is now the Wiloughby House, a restaurant and inn.