A private island off the coast of Connecticut that counts Marilyn Monroe among its visitors returned to the market Friday asking $8.7 million, an almost $4 million discount from when it was first listed for $12.9 million in 2013, property records show.
The 2.7-acre Tavern Island, near Norwalk, was first inhabited by European settlers in 1651 and was later used as a fortress guarding the entrance to the Rowayton Harbor against the British during the Battle of Norwalk, Mansion Global previously reported.
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The main house was built a little more recently, in the 1930s, and housed screenwriter Lillian Hellman while she finished her classic "The Little Foxes." Broadway lyricist Billy Rose moved in during the 1960s and hosted legendary parties there, with guest lists including the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Barbra Streisand, Mansion Global previously reported.
These days, the compound—a five-minute boat ride from the mainland—comprises five structures: a recently renovated stone manor house that spans over 6,000 square feet, a one-bedroom boat house with a game room, a tea house, a two-bedroom caretaker's cottage and a maintenance shed, according to the property listing with Halstead Property’s Nancy Dauk, who was not immediately available to discuss the property.
When this impressive island estate first hit the market it was $78M. Now it's $22.75M 😳 https://t.co/9it7ERJWsy pic.twitter.com/2uf9vEWPVY
— Mansion Global (@MansionGlobal) October 30, 2017
The property also has a stone harbor, a stone pier and floating deep water dock, two private beaches, and a 75-foot-long swimming pool. It’s located about an hour from New York City.
The current owners bought the island for $950,000 in 1981, property records show.
Realtor.com contributed to this story.