Jennifer Garner Flaunts $7.9M Farmhouse in LA as Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Struggles to Sell $68M Mansion
Jennifer Garner, known for her down-to-earth charm and talent, recently offered a rare glimpse into her personal sanctuary in the hills of Los Angeles.
In a video for Architectural Digest, the 13 Going On 30 star gave viewers an intimate tour of her $7.9 million farmhouse, a space she built after finalizing her divorce from Ben Affleck in 2018.
This tour comes at an interesting time, as her ex-husband Affleck and his current wife, Jennifer Lopez, are struggling to sell their $68 million marital mansion, known as Crestview Manor.
Garner, 52, explained that her farmhouse represents more than just a place to live; it’s a testament to her desire to create a warm, inviting space for her three children—Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12—whom she shares with Affleck.
Garner collaborated with husband-and-wife architect and interior designer team Steve and Brooke Giannetti, along with designer Laura Putnam, to bring her vision of a “new, warm, family home” to life.
Despite being a self-proclaimed “private person,” Garner felt compelled to share her home with the public because of the immense pride she takes in the project.
“I’ve never built anything all by myself before and I am so proud of it,” she said. “I am filled with gratitude every time I walk into my house that I get to live here. That I’m so lucky to have my kids here. So, it’s unlike me, and yet, I’m so happy to have shared it with you.”
Her farmhouse is nestled in the hills, offering the privacy she desperately sought after her split from Affleck.
Garner revealed that finding a home that provided the seclusion she needed without being overly grand was challenging.
“I looked and looked for a house to move into, but I needed privacy, and any house that had privacy was more grand than I felt comfortable in,” she shared.
Garner’s estate is designed with her children in mind, featuring “fun custom features” that cater to their interests.
Among these are a slumber party room, a Harry Potter-themed hideaway for Samuel, a saltwater aquarium, and a cozy reading nook with stained-glass windows.
The living room is particularly noteworthy, with a wall of glass that slides away to reveal a deck and pool, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
The farmhouse also boasts a backyard orchard, where Garner grows peaches, cherries, apples, and more, all sustained by a greywater system that recycles water from the home’s washing machine and dishwasher.
Additionally, her “vegetable house” is home to kale, thyme, tomatoes, and green beans, allowing the family to enjoy fresh produce year-round.
Garner’s emphasis on sustainability and creating a nurturing environment for her children is evident throughout the property.
“I wanted it to feel old and cool and historic, but I also wanted to make it work for a big family with a lot of things going on,” she explained to Architectural Digest.
While Jennifer Garner basks in the warmth of her custom-built farmhouse, her ex-husband Ben Affleck and his wife Jennifer Lopez are facing difficulties selling their $68 million marital mansion in Beverly Hills.
Despite being on the market for several months, the property, which the couple purchased in 2023 and subsequently renovated, has failed to attract a buyer.
The estate, dubbed Crestview Manor, is a sprawling 38,000 square foot home with 12 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, and amenities that include a 12-car garage, a sports complex with basketball and pickleball courts, a fully equipped gym, a boxing ring, and a sports lounge with a bar.
Despite these luxurious features, the property’s value is being questioned.
A West Coast real estate investor cited by NewsNation expressed skepticism about the mansion’s worth, suggesting it is likely only worth between $40 million and $50 million, far below its current asking price.
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The investor pointed out that when the house was originally built, it languished on the market for years, initially listed at $147 million.
Affleck and Lopez purchased it for $61 million, believing they had secured a deal, but they also invested millions more in renovations.
The property’s “terrible location” and “silly amenities” have also been criticized. The mansion is situated in a gated community with no guard, surrounded by homes from the 1970s that are valued between $5 million and $10 million, making it an outlier in the neighborhood.
The real estate investor went on to describe the mansion as “a huge white elephant,” with an architectural style that is “a mish-mosh of styles with a faux French roof” and “just bad taste in architecture.”
The contrasting fortunes of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck’s respective homes highlight different approaches to luxury living.
Garner’s farmhouse is a reflection of her preference for understated elegance, sustainability, and creating a cozy, family-oriented environment.
In contrast, Affleck and Lopez’s mansion, with its vast size and over-the-top amenities, seems to struggle with finding its place in the real estate market.
As Garner continues to enjoy her farmhouse, filled with love and warmth, Affleck and Lopez may need to reconsider their pricing strategy or find new ways to make their property more appealing to potential buyers.
The difference in their approaches to home and lifestyle reflects the paths their lives have taken since their divorce, with Garner’s focus on simplicity and family values resonating with many, while the extravagant lifestyle represented by Crestview Manor faces more challenges in today’s market.