Learning Center Approved For Mel Gibson's Former Greenwich Estate

GREENWICH, CT— The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission recently approved a final site plan and special permit - with several conditions in place - to establish a learning center on the property of actor Mel Gibson's former mansion in the backcountry.

The Foundation House, described by the Round Hill Association as a "learning center with focus on health and wellness," will be located on a 75.7 acre parcel of land at 124 Old Mill Rd.

According to the Round Hill Association (RHA), Mimi Sternlicht, a long-time resident of the backcountry, recently purchased the property with the intent of creating the center. The RHA aims to "foster a sense of community, to provide opportunities for contact with neighbors, to maintain and enhance the natural beauty" of the area in the backcountry.

"With workshops, lectures, and events, the center will advance a wide range of interests including historic preservation, nutrition, climate change, art and design, education, social justice, personal growth, land conservation, social entrepreneurship, and community building," the RHA said in a recent blog post.

According to application materials submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission, the existing mansion and outbuildings (log cabin, horse barn) on the property will be retained and used by guests for different programs

A new conference center event barn, named The Glass Barn, will be constructed using salvaged materials, "keeping the historic feel of the existing buildings. The barn will serve as a conference room and can accommodate up to 250 guests, where valet parking will be provided."

A designated overflow parking area on an existing field for 140 vehicles will be constructed.

Planning & Zoning unanimously approved the item with a number of conditions.

Of note related to operation of the site, use of the property should not be for commercial profit. Daytime large events will be allowed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Evening large events will be allowed on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

"Large events" are described as events with 101 to 250 people excluding catering and staff.

For any event having 30 cars or more, Foundation House should have police officers located outside of the exit of the property, and nearby to exist with traffic flow and circulation.

Foundation House will also be required to maintain a website and calendar of events to update the public on when such events are occuring.

According to the Foundation House website, the estate at 124 Old Mill Rd. was built in 1925. Once owned by actor Mel Gibson, it was sold in 2019 for $13.25 million.

In 2020, the Round Hill Association and backcountry residents successfully blocked a developer’s controversial plan to develop 28 condominiums on the estate property.