Matt Geiger's Former East Lake Mega Mansion Getting a Facelift

The mysterious buyer who plunked down $8 million in 2011 for former NBA star Matt Geiger's mega-mansion on Keystone Road in East Lake is now forking over more money to spruce-up the place.

A flurry of construction activity is underway at the 27-acre estate that Geiger had originally listed for $20 million back in 2007.  Crews are building a $400,000 wall around the property, according to Pinellas County records.

"It's 10 feet tall and about a mile long," said one worker while climbing a scaffold along the masonry wall Thursday morning.

Crews are also adding onto the existing 27,753-square-foot, three-story home that was built in 2002. County records show construction permits have been approved for improvements/additions valued at $1,506,038. The swimming pool is also being remodeled. Crews will replace existing pool steps with a sunning shelf and more steps. The changes are valued at $20,000.

The property was once at the center of a neighborhood controversy when Geiger, a 1987 graduate of Countryside High School, wanted to build a helipad on it. Back in 2007, he met with neighbors who were worried about potential noise and pollution from his helicopter, the Tampa Bay Times reported. However, Pinellas County Commissioners ended up denying his request.

Scenes from the John Travolta movie "The Punisher" were filmed at the six-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion. The property has three buildings, including a guest house. It had been described as "the ultimate bachelor pad" with bars, a DJ station, a dance floor, hot tubs, wine cellar and cigar room. Geiger decided to sell it after he had a child with his girlfriend. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Geiger wanted a more child-friendly dwelling.

During his professional basketball career, Geiger played for the Miami Heat, the Charlotte Hornets and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lake Ridge Trust in Dallas purchased the property for $8 million on Jan. 3, 2011, according to Pinellas County Property Appraiser's website. The website lists the property's just-market-value as $6,439,146.