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Gisele Bündchen begins renovations on modest Florida Cottage – bought months before her divorce

Bought quietly for $1.3 million in February, the cottage is thought to be a pre-divorce gift for herself

Gisele Bündchen red carpet
(Image credit: Alamy)

After months of highly publicized marital problems, Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady officially announced their split just weeks ago but sale documents reveal that the fashion model has been seeking out her own space for far longer. 

A drastic change from Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen's home from before their divorce, Gisele purchased a modest three-bedroom family home in Surfside, Florida in February this year – and now she is looking to renovate the space. 

This is what we know about the $1.3 million cottage. 

First reported by the New York Post, the model completed the purchase quietly at the end of February of this year, around two weeks before her soon-to-be ex-husband's shock NFL comeback. 

The listing was initially held by One Sotheby's realty with the property described as a 'charming Art Deco-style cottage'. The 1940s three-bedroomed home also houses two-and-a-half bathrooms spread over 1,540 square feet – a much smaller footprint than the Gisele is perhaps used to with many of Tom Brady's houses boasting mansion-like sizes. 

Despite recently being renovated, records have shown that Gisele has handed over control to luxury construction company Ivey Design Build to change up the property yet again. The property as it stands boasts an airy open-plan layout, making the most of swathes of natural light that flow throughout the property. The open-plan kitchen currently boasts an oversized marble waterfall island, breakfast bar, all-white cabinetry and backsplash ideas, and top-of-the-range stainless steel appliances. The open plan space flows to the living-entry space too with the modestly sized family room sporting a brick faux fireplace, dining area, and real hardwood floors throughout.

While certainly, no match for the exes' unfinished $27 million Miami beach mansion (which sits just a short walk away from the cottage) the master suite features a spa-like bathroom retreat complete with batt, glass-encased walk-in shower, and dual vanities.  

Outside, the property has a small, contained lawn area framed by tall green hedges as well as a small raised outdoor patio, perfect for grabbing some fresh air away from prying eyes. The front is no less unassuming either, with a brick driveway leading to a rather quaint front entry 

According to some sources, it is not decided whether the property will be a small escape for the mother and her children, or whether it will be used to house visit relatives or a nanny. With the property's close proximity to some of Miami's best schools, however, it could be seen as a tempting location for Gisele's two children, whom she and Brady plan to co-parent together. 

Despite its diminutive size and modest appearance, the property has some famous neighbors, with the likes of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner also owning property in the area. 

It is unknown what will become of the properties the couple shared together, such as their Manhattan condo and Yellowstone estate in light of the divorce although it is clear that Gisele is making moves away from Brady as she focuses on healing after previously putting her modeling career on the back burner in favor of traveling with Brady and the children.

Chiana Dickson
Writer

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for a year, having started her journey in interior journalism as part of the graduate program. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips – many of which she tests and reviews herself in her home in Lancaster to ensure they will consistently deliver for her readers and dabbles in the latest design trends. She also has a first-class degree in Literature from Lancaster University.