Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue’s former Connecticut retreat has been listed for a record $27.5 million

A waterfront mansion in Connecticut, formerly owned by Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue, has returned to the market with a record-setting price tag of $27.5 million.

Constructed in 2007 by the entertainment legends on Long Island Sound, this dream home was designed by Westport architect Roger Ferris + Partners. After marrying in 1980, Thomas and Donahue sold their expansive Beachside Avenue property to Andrew Bentley in 2013 for $20 million. Bentley also acquired additional nearby parcels, including those formerly owned by the disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Currently listed as Westport’s most expensive property, this mansion was briefly on the market in 2020 for $28 million. The new listing, with a slight price reduction, could potentially set a new record if it sells close to its $27.5 million asking price.

The 11,450-square-foot residence sits on a 6.6-acre lot with 400 feet of private waterfront, featuring a cobblestone courtyard and meticulously manicured gardens. The home includes five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, a powder room, and offers stunning coastal views through walls of windows and French doors that open to expansive terraces and lush lawns.

Highlights include a south-facing patio accessible from the main living room, sunroom, and kitchen. The primary suite boasts rustic barn wood ceilings, a newly redesigned sitting area, and a luxurious spa-like bath and dressing room. The property also features a guest wing with a separate entrance, a full-size tennis pavilion, a home gym, and four garages.

“There are no other properties with the same expanse of land, waterfront, and level of luxury available for purchase,” said Compass agent Leslie Clarke, who is representing the listing. “Beachside Avenue is a coveted address, and it’s rare for such properties to come on the market.”

Interestingly, the previous record for Westport’s most expensive home was set in 2006 when Thomas and Donahue sold another waterfront property on Beachside Avenue to financier Herbert M. Allison, Jr. for $25 million. The current owners of that property, Peggy and Gary Reiner, have since built a new house closer to the water and planned to demolish the original Tudor-style home as of last year.