The traditional image of a bachelor pad — a leather sofa, a nearly empty kitchen and a home filled with takeaway containers — has little resemblance to the luxury properties now being chosen by some of the world’s biggest celebrities.
For high-profile stars starting over after divorce or separation, moving into a solo home can mean something far more extravagant.
From private swimming pools and expansive grounds to Manhattan penthouses and multimillion-dollar estates, these properties have become lavish personal retreats rather than simple places to live.
Vernon Kay Reportedly Prepares for a New Home
One of the latest celebrities linked to a new bachelor property is presenter and BBC Radio 2 DJ Vernon Kay, who has reportedly purchased a £3 million house in Buckinghamshire.
The reported purchase comes as Kay and Tess Daly continue adjusting to life following their separation.
The couple announced in May that they were ending their 23-year marriage, although they have remained on friendly terms.
Kay, 52, is reportedly still living with Daly, 57, but his new property is only around 15 minutes from their family home.
The Buckinghamshire house is said to feature a swimming pool and extensive grounds.
Ben Affleck Chose a $20.5 Million Retreat
Ben Affleck’s post-divorce property is another example of how far celebrity bachelor living can go.
Following his split from Jennifer Lopez, Affleck moved into a $20.5 million Los Angeles property in 2024.
The actor reportedly financed part of the purchase with a $10 million loan, with the transaction taking place on Lopez’s birthday.
The roughly 6,200-square-foot home was originally designed in the early 1940s by architect Cliff May before later owners carried out extensive renovations.
It occupies almost an acre in a highly desirable part of Los Angeles between Brentwood and Pacific Palisades.
Affleck’s Home Offers Far More Than Privacy
Inside the estate, the main living area combines stone and rustic hardwood flooring with vaulted wood-beam ceilings and steel-framed windows.
The property also features walk-in closets, a living room with a fireplace that can double as a private screening room, breakfast and dining areas, a family room and a den.
Outside the main residence is a substantial two-storey guesthouse, along with a horse stable, walking ring and tack room.
A fireplace-equipped cabana and swimming pool add even more resort-style features to the property.
Hugh Jackman Embraced a Stylish City Lifestyle
Hugh Jackman also appeared to establish a new home following his divorce from Deborra-Lee Furness, which was finalised in 2025.
The actor offered glimpses of what appeared to be a sophisticated city apartment, featuring minimalist décor, white-grey wooden floors, a marble kitchen counter, a velvet sofa and luxury coffee-table books.
The property appeared to represent a more private solo lifestyle as Jackman and Furness continued dealing with the division of their substantial property portfolio.
His New York Property Became Part of the Divorce Settlement
A major Manhattan property once owned by Jackman and Furness was relisted for sale on March 31.
The West Village apartment, which originally entered the market at AUD$57.5 million in 2022, was later offered at AUD$41.5 million, equivalent to about US$28.75 million.
The former couple purchased the property in 2008 for US$21.1 million.
The enormous residence occupies the eighth, ninth and tenth floors of a 15-storey building and covers approximately 1,021 square metres, with views overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.
The Manhattan Apartment Comes With High-End Amenities
The tenth floor contains the principal bedroom suite, together with a studio, spa bathroom, sauna and dressing rooms.
The remaining levels contain living areas, a library and guest bedroom, while the property also offers floor-to-ceiling windows, a recreation room and a professional-style gourmet kitchen.
Residents of the building also have access to a fitness centre, full-time doorman and concierge services. The sale was reportedly connected to the Jackman-Furness divorce settlement.
Furness reportedly retained another Manhattan property after buying out Jackman’s interest in a three-bedroom penthouse valued at around AUD$35 million.
The couple had bought that property together in 2022 for approximately AUD$31.6 million.
Kevin Costner’s $145 Million Compound Became a Divorce Flashpoint
Kevin Costner offers another dramatic example of the complicated relationship between celebrity homes and divorce.
The Yellowstone star, 71, owns a vast beachfront compound in Santa Barbara, California, valued at around $145 million.
He has previously shared glimpses of the property, including footage of himself relaxing inside with his dog.
The living space shown in the footage featured an ocean view, plush seating, a wall-mounted television and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Built-in storage, lounge chairs, a colourful rug and ocean-themed artwork completed the room.
Costner had previously put the compound on the market for $60 million in 2017 while married to Christine Baumgartner.
Their marriage ended in 2023 after 18 years and three children.
The divorce became particularly contentious over their shared assets and the future of the Santa Barbara home.
Baumgartner was eventually ordered to leave the property and later moved into a Montecito rental reportedly costing $40,000 per month.
The divorce was finalised in February 2024, with Costner agreeing to pay $63,000 per month in child support.
Phillip Schofield Opted for a London Apartment
Phillip Schofield took a different approach when he moved away from his Oxfordshire family home in 2020 and purchased a London flat.
The property, reportedly worth around £2 million, was later sold in 2024.
It offered views towards The Shard and was located close to the London Studios, where This Morning had previously been filmed.
The roughly 1,180-square-foot apartment included a modern kitchen, two double bedrooms, underground parking and access to a communal garden.
Richard Hammond Invested in a Country Estate
Richard Hammond’s post-marriage property move has been considerably more rural.
The former Top Gear presenter reportedly bought a six-bedroom Georgian manor in 2026 for around £2 million, below its £2.25 million asking price.
The property reportedly includes a tennis court, wine cellar and outbuildings suitable for storing cars, with the purchase said to have been made in cash.
Before the move, Hammond had shared the Grade II-listed Bollitree Castle in Herefordshire with his former wife Mindy.
The couple bought the property in 2008, and Hammond spent years restoring a listed granary barn on the estate into what he described as his dream clubhouse.
Noel Gallagher Took the Luxury Route
For Oasis star Noel Gallagher, life after separation involved an especially glamorous temporary arrangement.
After splitting from Sara MacDonald in 2023 following 22 years together, Gallagher reportedly stayed at Claridge’s in Mayfair while his new home was being refurbished.
The musician stayed in a £2,500-a-night suite and later moved into a flat in Maida Vale.
Gallagher has reportedly amassed a fortune of around £57 million, while his divorce settlement was said to include a £20 million payment to MacDonald along with their £8 million Hampshire home.
Tom Brady Turned a Former Family Project Into a Bachelor Pad
Some celebrities do not need to buy an entirely new property to create a bachelor retreat.
Tom Brady instead transformed a luxury home project connected to his former marriage.
Following his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen, the former NFL star converted the mansion he and Bündchen had acquired on Miami’s exclusive Creek Island into a solo residence.
The property is believed to be worth about $11.5 million.
Brady and Bündchen purchased the land for $17 million in 2020, but their 13-year marriage ended in October 2022.
The home faces the water and has a golf course behind it, while the Creek Island community is reportedly protected by a private 13-person police force.
Divorce Is Reshaping the Meaning of a Bachelor Home
These celebrity examples show that the modern bachelor pad is increasingly associated with privacy, comfort and personal reinvention rather than the stereotypical sparse apartment.
For some stars, starting again means purchasing a multimillion-dollar estate.
For others, it involves redesigning an existing family property, moving into a city apartment or selling shared real estate as part of a divorce settlement.
The homes also demonstrate the extraordinary scale of the assets involved when high-profile marriages end, with luxury properties frequently becoming central to negotiations over wealth and ownership.
What Comes Next?
As more celebrities navigate highly publicised separations, their property decisions are likely to remain part of the wider story.
Whether through buying new homes, renovating existing estates or selling jointly owned properties, real estate can become both a symbol of a new chapter and one of the most valuable assets to divide after a marriage ends.
Summary
From Vernon Kay’s reported Buckinghamshire purchase to Ben Affleck’s $20.5 million Los Angeles retreat, Hugh Jackman’s Manhattan properties, Kevin Costner’s sprawling Santa Barbara compound and Tom Brady’s Miami residence, celebrity bachelor pads have evolved into highly sophisticated homes.
Rather than simply providing somewhere to live alone, these properties offer privacy, luxury and space — while often reflecting the complicated financial and personal changes that follow the end of a high-profile relationship.
