TAMPA, Fla. -- A home with a view. That's what new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will settle into after leasing Derek Jeter's waterfront mansion on Davis Islands, a source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
The stone home, which belongs to the former New York Yankees star and current Miami Marlins CEO, is next door to former Buccaneers defensive tackle Brad Culpepper, who is now a personal injury attorney. Culpepper and his wife, Monica, were contestants on CBS' "Survivor," and their son Rex plays quarterback for Syracuse University.
Jeter's 30,000-plus-square-foot home, which is located right outside downtown Tampa and a short drive to the Bucs' facility, sits on three lots on Bahama Circle and features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and entertainment and billiards rooms. It has an elevator, swimming pool, fountain, boat dock and a 8-foot security gate -- 2 feet higher than the city permits, but Jeter received an exemption for privacy.
The best part of the home is its spectacular waterfront view, which you can see as soon as the front door is opened.
"Last night, a friend of ours texted us that they heard that Tom was moving into Jeter's house, but we just thought it was a rumor," said Tim Davis, who lives across the street. "Today when I saw the security and the police out, I was like, 'Oh! Maybe that's true.'"
Throughout the day, a handful of neighbors and even a few fans trickled in to stop for a quick photo, hoping for a glimpse of Brady, a six-time Super Bowl champion who signed with the Buccaneers two weeks ago after 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.
"Absolutely we are excited to have him here," said Arto Hirvela, a Bucs fan who stopped to see for himself. "Especially excited having his brain and arm here. He's a great mind."
His wife, Irmali Hirvela, agreed. "I'm a huge fan of Brady," she said. "I want to see him!"
For days, the neighborhood had been buzzing with rumors as activity picked up at the home, which had been unoccupied for the past six or seven months, neighbors said.
"The house has been empty ... not much activity," Davis said. "And then last week, more and more cars were here, and workers, mostly air-conditioning or movers. I think three or four days ago, a van came and started moving some little items."
Brady's living arrangement was first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
Davis Islands -- a man-made island -- is considered one of the area's most exclusive neighborhoods and was built during the area's land boom in the 1920s.
"This is a great neighborhood. I love it," Davis said. "This part of Davis Islands -- West Davis -- is really nice. Everyone is really friendly -- the Culpeppers, and everybody else. Everybody is just really friendly. We have block parties. It's just really nice."