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Inside Lance Armstrong's hill-top fortress: Disgraced cyclist



Disgraced cycling champion Lance Armstrong has splashed out on a new $4.3million hill-top mansion in Texas described as a 'fortress'.

The seven-time Tour de France winner, who was last year exposed as a drugs cheat, bought the Lake Austin, Texas retreat after selling his home in central Austin.

He is perhaps seeking a lower profile after he was last year banned from sports for life and stripped of his titles by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.



Fortress: Lance Armstrong's new $4.3million hill-top home overlooking Lake Austin, which he bought last week, has been described as a 'fortress for staving of the Zombie Apocalypse'





Modern castle: With clean lines, sharp angles and a rough-hewn stone facade, the modern-style home is spread over four structures and is modelled in the style of a Cistercian abbey

The new pad, which sits on a hill top and has been described as a 'modern castle', is set in a 3.6-acre compound overlooking the nearby lake and boasts six bedrooms and eight bathrooms.

It is located in Austin's exclusive Rob Roy neighbourhood and was reportedly on the market for $5million, but Armstrong managed to seal the deal for $4.34million last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported.


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With clean lines, sharp angles and a rough-hewn stone facade, the modern-style home is spread over four structures, which Realtor.com says is modelled in the style of a Cistercian abbey.

Aside from the multitudinous bedrooms and bathrooms, it includes luxuries ranging from a library to a home gym and wood and stone flooring throughout it's 12,553-sq/ft living space.





Bargain struck: It is located in Austin's exclusive Rob Roy neighbourhood and was reportedly on the market for $5million, but Armstrong managed to seal the deal for $4.34million last week



Clean lines: Mood lighting picks out the features on the home, which was designed by a local firm of architects






Perfect party pad: A view of the property at dusk shows how it might look just before a soirée begins

Armstrong's previous home in Central Austin lacked privacy, but his latest purchase is not only out of town, but also includes a 200ft suspension bridge connecting it to a private boat house on the shores of Lake Austin.

That makes it perfect for bolting from any unwanted attention relating to the several multimillion-dollar lawsuits he faces over his confession to making extensive use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.

And its also one of the reasons for Realtor.com including the property in its round-up of 'Fortresses for Staving Off the Zombie Apocalypse'.





Private: The new home replaces Armstrong's old house in Central Austin, which reportedly lacked privacy - something the recently exposed drugs cheat may well be craving now





Sun soaked: The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom house, which was designed by Austin-based Andersson-Wise Architects, also features an art studio, guest house, office and private cinema



Comfortable: The home boasts incredible views over the Texas countryside down to Lake Austin

The house, which was designed by Austin-based Andersson-Wise Architects, also features a guest house, office, gourmet kitchen and private cinema.

Artistic types can express themselves in a detached art studio.

Outside the palatial pad features a swimming pool, cabana and terraced gardens, and a rooftop deck with stunning views of the surrounding texas countryside.

Armstrong's purchase has emerged just a week after he handed over the keys to his multimillion-dollar Central Austin mansion, despite spending years renovating the property.



Perfect for entertaining: The dining room here pictured has a table capable of comfortably seating ten





A place to relax: The living room is fully kitted out with comfortable sofas and antique-looking furniture





Seen from another angle: Ample fenestration means the inside is able to benefit from the bright Texan sun





Gourmet kitchen: There are plenty of surfaces here to whip up dinners for guests - or just a quick snack



Kitchen table: Six can be easily seated for everyday meals in this family home for millionaires

A local businessman reportedly took out a $3.1million loan to buy Armstrong's home in Austin, Texas, which earlier this year served as the setting for his televised confessional with Oprah Winfrey.

It had been speculated that Armstrong sold the home to raise the funds to deal with a number of lawsuits he faces from former sponsors angry about his doping.

They include one for $12million from SCA Promotions, and a possible $100million lawsuit from the Justice Department as they may seek three times the amount that the Postal Service paid to sponsor him throughout his career.

Armstrong bought the 7,850-square-foot mansion in 2004, and spent years renovating it with the team of architects that he had previously worked with on his homes in Spain, New York, the Bahamas and a second property in Texas.



This is where the magic happens: Floor to ceilings windows in this one of the eight bedrooms offers views of the 3.6 acres of private wooded grounds that Armstrong's new home sits in





Space to reflect: The library will offer a not easily paralleled homework experience for Armstrong's children





And a place for expression: The detached artist's studio will give the disgraced former champ a place to work through his inner demons

He was so proud of the finished product that he gave an interview and tour to Architectural Digest where he talked about his love of art and his desire to turn the home into a true family house.

At the time of the 2008 interview, he had three children from his first marriage and told how he envisioned the house as a home to them where they - along with their mother, his ex-wife Kristen - would spend quality time together.

'When their mom and I split, the kids and I moved around a bunch. But that’s over. This time I said, "You will graduate from high school in this house. I promise. Dad’s not moving again,"' he told the magazine.









Escape route: Armstrong's latest purchase is not only out of town, but also includes a 200ft suspension bridge connecting it to a private boat house on the shores of Lake Austin. The former athlete is pictured right






Secluded: The boat house on Lake Austin, from where he can make a quick getaway across the water





Another view of the boathouse, seen from the shore: Armstrong will have a place to commune with nature here





Hiding place: The cooling waters and the shady interior will offer him a place to cool down in the intense heat of summer




Armstrong previously owned a second house in the foothills of the Texas Hill Country. He built the $8million dollar four bedroom Mirasol holiday home himself, but sold it several years ago after apparently being forced to drop the asking price.

The disgraced cyclist also bought a home in Aspen, Colorado, to enable him to train at altitude for an estimated $9million in 2008.


Sold: Armstrong's 7,850-square-foot mansion in Central Austin, which he sold last week

He is also said to own homes in New York and Hawaii, and lived in Girona, in Spain for several years in his Tour de France days.

In 2004 he lived at his Spanish home for a spell with his then-girlfriend, singer Sheryl Crow.

As well as his impressive array of homes, Armstrong also owns the Juan Pelota Cafe in Austin, Texas, and a cycle shop called Mellow Johnny's from the same building.

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