A 87-acre property on Hampton Island, currently owned by actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck, is on the market for the first time since he acquired it.
By Alyssa Gautieri
The plantation-style main house is complemented by a 10,000-square-foot guesthouse, screened-in summer cottage, equestrian center, private deep-water dock and 600 yards of waterfront.
Richard Mopper of Engel & Völkers Savannah is listing the property for $8.9 million.
“We’ve had buyers look at the property and almost everyone has been looking for a second or third home,” Mopper notes. “The island is a great place for those who love the outdoors and enjoy outdoor activities, or for families that are looking for a getaway for a month or two a year.”
However, the island also appeals to those seeking year-round living as it offers both proximity to town and the advantage of privacy. “A lot of people don’t realize how marvelous the Georgia coast is,” Mopper says. “Hampton Island is so conveniently located — only 30 minutes from the Savannah airport — yet you are secluded in a beautiful, wooded area with the most gorgeous limestone roads. It’s that ambiance that drives people to this area.”
Oyster House Interior
“We’ve had buyers look at the property and almost everyone has been looking for a second or third home,” Mopper notes. “The island is a great place for those who love the outdoors and enjoy outdoor activities, or for families that are looking for a getaway for a month or two a year.”
However, the island also appeals to those seeking year-round living as it offers both proximity to town and the advantage of privacy. “A lot of people don’t realize how marvelous the Georgia coast is,” Mopper says. “Hampton Island is so conveniently located — only 30 minutes from the Savannah airport — yet you are secluded in a beautiful, wooded area with the most gorgeous limestone roads. It’s that ambiance that drives people to this area.”
While the 3-structure estate offers many features, Mopper says “the real draw is the main house. It has such elegance. It is really the perfect place to live and entertain in coastal Georgia.”
Known as the Big House, the 6,000-square-foot house was uniquely designed in the early 2000s to reflect the Antebellum era. From the 15-foot ceilings and wide-planked, reclaimed hardwood floors to the 18th century-style kitchen cabinets and massive arched fireplaces, architecture firm Historical Concepts carefully crafted each architectural detail.
Meanwhile, the exterior of the home is reminiscent of Greek Revival architecture with large columns, both front and rear verandas, brick walkways, outdoor seating and swings, and professional landscaping. “The home feels exactly like the era that it is meant to, yet with every modern convenience,” Mopper says.
The Big House Formal Living Room
While the main house is truly magnificent, there is much more beyond the verandas. Walk along the long brick path to the river, and you will be greeted by the “The Summer Cottage.” Surrounded by huge oak trees and views of the dock and river, the screened-in cottage is the perfect setting for a summer evening — whether it’s a fish fry, oyster roast or another outdoor gathering. Inside, the cottage boasts a unique, rustic style with a large fireplace, exposed beams and exposed, pitched ceilings.
Continue along the path, and you will approach “The Oyster House” on the river’s edge. Perfect for large gatherings, the rustic guesthouse offers six bedrooms with bunk beds salvaged from marine vessels, as well as three master suites. Outdoors, the wraparound balcony and expansive, rivers views make this space ideal for outdoor entertaining and dining.
Photos by Richard Leo Johnson 2017
Courtesy Atlantic Archives
This orginally appeared in Unique Homes Fall ’18
