Ben Affleck's Georgia estate: From $12 million failed sale to wedded bliss

Three years ago Ben Affleck unsuccessfully tried to sell the riverfront Georgia hideaway that he and then fiancé Jennifer Lopez would retreat to.

Now, he will wed Lopez – again, after their Las Vegas nuptials – at the pretty rural property known as Hampton Island.

The Argo and Gone Girl star bought estate in Riceboro in 2003, at a time when he and Lopez where dating.

Affleck put it on market for US$8.9m ($12.87 million) in 2019, when he was seeing New York City-based Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus, offering 35 hectares and three residences, each with their own character, linked by oyster shell pathways.

The address has a main residence called the Big House, the Summer House and an enormous, rustic Oyster House.

He was so keen to sell it at one stage, he discounted by the price by 15 per cent.

During the campaign, marketed by agency Engel & Völkers Savannah, agents dubbed it “one of Georgia coast’s crown jewels”.

However, the sale did not transpire and now the estate will be centerstage in the couple’s celebration.

The Big House is classically finished with shutters, front and rear verandas and an outlook over the North Newport River.

The Greek-revival Big House sports four bedrooms and lavish living spaces, including a ballroom, library, sun room, cellar, horse stables, swimming pool with cabana and flourishes of chandeliers, fireplaces and plaster moldings.

The open-plan Oyster House is the largest of the properties but more rustic in appearance.

Handsome wooden beams line the sprawling living areas.

The accommodation is substantial – it has six bedrooms with bunk beds and three main-sized suites.

The Summer House has an identity of its own, with a deep veranda looking out to a dock, and steps down to the water.

Tucked along a path, connected to the Oyster house, the Summer abode is a typically charming southern country retreat with a metal roof and colonnades.