Richard Gere’s $11M Estate Will Be Demolished, Here's What's Replacing It

Richard Gere may have moved across the globe, but his former Connecticut estate is now facing a much more permanent goodbye.

Seven months after the "Pretty Woman" star and his wife, Alejandra Silva, sold their New Canaan home for $10.75 million, the historic property is reportedly set to be demolished to make way for a new luxury development.

Richard Gere's former 32-acre lot, originally built in 1938, will be subdivided into nine residential properties.

Gere and Silva purchased the estate in 2022 for $10.8 million from legendary musicians Paul Simon and Edie Brickell. Though they only lived there for two years, Gere once considered transforming the property into a working farm, as reported by the New Canaan Advertiser.

The stately estate included six bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a pool, manicured gardens, a three-bedroom guest cottage, and period-specific architectural details throughout, many of which Hudson Valley House Parts is racing to save.

In an Instagram post shared on May 25, the salvage company confirmed the home’s impending demolition and their ongoing work to rescue original pieces like steel bay casement windows and a cast stone wellhead.

"We have had our eye on this piece since first planning this salvage project on the estate previously owned by Richard Gere, who purchased the property from Paul Simon and Edie Brickell," they wrote. “Over the past month, our team has been working to save the pieces that we can from the landfill."

Richard Gere may be best known for his decades-long career in Hollywood, but off-screen, he holds another title close to his heart.

The "Longing" actor is the proud father of three children, each from different stages of his life, and he’s also embraced the role of stepfather in his blended family with wife Alejandra Silva. Gere’s first child, Homer James Jigme Gere, was born in February 2000. Homer is Gere’s son with his second wife, actress Carey Lowell.

Now in his 20s, Homer has largely stayed out of the spotlight but has occasionally joined his famous father at public events. Gere has spoken warmly about his bond with Homer, who was named in part after Gere’s father and the Tibetan spiritual leader Jigme Lingpa, reflecting Gere’s Buddhist beliefs.

After marrying Spanish publicist Alejandra Silva in 2018, Gere welcomed two more children. Their first son together, Alexander Gere, was born in February 2019. Just over a year later, the couple welcomed another son, James Gere, in April 2020.

In addition to their two young sons, Gere is also a stepfather to Albert, Alejandra’s son from a previous marriage. The actor has embraced his role in the blended family and has often spoken about the joy and fulfillment he finds in fatherhood.

On Wednesday, May 28, Gere shared a rare photo of his family to support "Open Arms."

According to the "Open Arms" website, the non-profit's mission is to "protect the life of the most vulnerable in emergency situations."

"We originate from a sea rescue company with more than 20 years experience on the Spanish coasts. We protect the lives of those abandoned in international waters fleeing from wars, persecution and poverty. On mainland we collaborate with healthcare teams and frontline research teams to face health emergencies or any other kind of crisis that requires immediate action."

Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva’s decision to relocate to Spain was driven by a desire to be closer to Alejandra’s family. In an April 2024 interview with Vanity Fair Spain, Gere opened up about their transatlantic move.

“For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends, and her culture,” he said. “She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers.”

While the couple has plans to eventually return to the U.S., it’s clear they’ll be returning to a very different landscape, one that no longer includes their former Connecticut haven.