Matt Lauer (2015 Gilbert Carrasquillo)
"Today" anchor Matt Lauer is the new owner of Richard Gere's fabulous Hamptons compound, the New York Post reports. Gere had sliced the price of his estate from an initial asking price of $65 million to $36.5 million in May.
Known as Strongheart Manor, the estate consists of 6.2 acres overlooking the Peconic Bay and Mashomack Preserve in North Haven near Sag Harbor, NY. Gere reportedly assembled the estate in three separate purchases from 2005 to 2008 for a total $11.3 million. The property had been on and off the market for three years, but didn't attract a buyer until May's dramatic $11 million haircut.
Lauer can add the compound, including a teahouse and basketball court, to his other Hamptons holdings, including his newsworthy 40-acre Bright Side Farm in Water Mill. Lauer recently battled neighbors over planting privacy shrubs and trees that would, he said, protect his horses from being spooked; neighbors, however, complained the plants would block their view of the farm.
In a King Solomon -- like decision in April, the town decided that Lauer could plant shrubs but no tall trees, the Post reported.
Here's a look at Lauer's 2015 interview with Gere and the "Pretty Woman" cast on the 25th anniversary of the film's release.