Historic Greenwich Estate Once Owned by Donald and Ivana Trump Slated for Demolition
A sprawling Georgian-style estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, formerly owned by President Donald Trump and his first wife, Ivana Trump, is poised for demolition. Plans are in motion to replace the existing structure with a lavish new mansion, marking a significant transformation for the waterfront property.
The 19,786-square-foot residence, situated on a 5.8-acre peninsula, was acquired by the couple in 1982, shortly after the birth of their second child, Ivanka. At the time of purchase, the property was valued at approximately $4 million. The couple’s marriage ended in 1992, with Ivana Trump retaining the house as part of the divorce settlement. She later sold the property in 1998.
Property History and Recent Sale
Originally constructed in 1939, the estate has seen several ownership changes and significant renovations. Ivana Trump sold the mansion for $15 million after undertaking substantial upgrades. In 2024, the property changed hands again, fetching a remarkable $31.5 million.
The current owners, operating under the entity 21 Vista Drive LLC, have submitted extensive redevelopment proposals to the Town Hall. These plans include the construction of a new, approximately 17,000-square-foot main house, alongside a new outdoor tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool, and additional outbuildings.
Redevelopment Plans and Permits
According to documents filed with local authorities, the redevelopment project involves combining three existing lots into a single zoning lot and the removal of all current structures. The proposal also includes the creation of fresh beach frontage.
Given the scale of the project, which involves building work exceeding 150,000 cubic feet, the new owners were required to apply for a special permit from the town planning department. This permit is necessary for Planning and Zoning Construction to proceed with the comprehensive scheme.
Architectural Vision and Future Outlook
While the specific details of the new main residence are yet to be fully disclosed, the prestigious firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects has been engaged to design the opulent development. This renowned architectural practice is known for its work on prominent projects such as Billionaire’s Row at 220 Central Park South in Manhattan, the George W. Bush Presidential Library in Dallas, Texas, and the Ocean Course Clubhouse at the Kiawah Island Golf Club in South Carolina.
The application is currently awaiting its initial assessment, and a timeline for securing authorization remains uncertain. Ivana Trump, who passed away in 2022, had previously mentioned the estate in her 2017 memoir, “Raising Trump,” recalling how she and Donald Trump selected the property while surveying the area from a helicopter.
