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Kathie Lee Gifford's Waterfront Estate Listed for $100 Million — Melanin News | Melanin
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Kathie Lee Gifford's Waterfront Estate Listed for $100 MillionCelebrity

Kathie Lee Gifford's Waterfront Estate Listed for $100 Million

1w ago

A sprawling waterfront estate once owned by former "Today" show host Kathie Lee Gifford has hit the market with a monumental $100 million asking price. Known as Cedar Cliff, the Mediterranean-style villa sits on a gated 2.91-acre peninsula in Riverside, Connecticut, offering expansive views of the Long Island Sound and reportedly even the Manhattan skyline.

The property, located at 108 Cedar Cliff Road, is listed through Sotheby's International Realty's Greenwich brokerage, with Leslie McElwreath holding the exclusive listing. This move marks a significant moment for the luxury real estate market and for Gifford, who has expressed her readiness to part with the storied home that holds decades of personal history.

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Spanning an impressive 13,163 square feet, the main residence, constructed in 1930, features eight oversized bedrooms, nine full bathrooms, and five partial bathrooms. Each bedroom is thoughtfully positioned to capture panoramic water views, maximizing the estate's prime coastal location. The interiors blend classic pre-war craftsmanship with modern refinements, showcasing soaring ceilings, intricate millwork, and antique wood floors, all accessible via a three-level elevator.

The meticulously maintained grounds are designed to rival a world-class private resort. They include a substantial stone pier and a deep-water dock, catering to boating enthusiasts. For recreation, the estate boasts a seaside tennis court complete with a pergola and lighting, alongside a waterfront pool and spa area. This luxurious outdoor amenity is complemented by a fully equipped cabana, which houses a fitness center, a convenient kitchenette, and changing rooms.

The history of Cedar Cliff stretches back to the Gilded Age, when it was part of a grand compound owned by railroad magnate Henry Francis Shoemaker. Shoemaker originally named the villa "Cedar Cliff," a designation that eventually led to the naming of the road on which the estate now stands. In the 1920s, the expansive grounds were a local hotspot, home to the Cedar Cliff Beach Club, adding another layer to its storied past.

Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound Source

Kathie Lee Gifford and her late husband, Frank Gifford, a legendary New York Giants player, sports broadcaster, and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, acquired the property in 1994 for $7.8 million. During their ownership, the Giffords embarked on an extensive renovation of the existing structure. In the early 2000s, they added a significant East Wing, which introduced a new primary suite, a state-of-the-art movie theater, a home office, a wine cellar, and a professional recording studio. Kathie Lee Gifford reportedly noted that the studio allowed her to continue her songwriting and broadcasting career from the comfort of her home.

Throughout their time at Cedar Cliff, the Giffords frequently opened their home for various gatherings, including screenings, charity events, and even occasional tapings of the "Today" show. Kathie Lee Gifford reflected on these cherished moments, stating that it "seemed like we were always celebrating something" within its walls.

However, the estate took on a different meaning after Frank Gifford's passing in 2015. Four years later, in 2019, Kathie Lee Gifford departed from the "Today" show and made a move to Nashville, Tennessee. In a 2021 interview, she candidly shared her feelings of loneliness in the large house, describing it as feeling like "a morgue" after her husband's death and her children's relocation to the West Coast. Her son, Cody, and his wife, Erika, did reside in Cedar Cliff for a period after moving back East in 2021, assisting with the property's maintenance.

Kathie Lee Gifford recently conveyed her deep-seated readiness to sell the family home, remarking, "We always knew in our hearts that we would know when it was the right time." The listing agent, Leslie McElwreath, described Cedar Cliff as "a Mediterranean villa of unrivaled pedigree and commanding presence," emphasizing that its direct water access is "really valuable to people who are boaters." The property's official listing highlights it as a "singular offering for the most discerning buyer—an incomparable experience of refined luxury."

Should the estate achieve its asking price, it would mark one of the most expensive residential purchases in Connecticut's history. The current state record was set in 2023 when Copper Beech Farm in Greenwich sold for $138.8 million. Cedar Cliff currently holds the distinction of being the most expensive home listed for sale in Greenwich, underscoring its unique position in the high-end real estate market. This listing follows a prior real estate move by Kathie Lee Gifford, who also listed a property in Key Largo, part of her late husband's estate, in 2018.