Title: Ben Affleck Splurges on a $20.5 Million Bachelor Pad Amidst Divorce Rumors

In the midst of swirling divorce rumors, actor Ben Affleck has made a significant real estate purchase, acquiring a stunning $20.5 million mansion in Pacific Palisades, California. The move comes as Affleck's high-profile marriage to Jennifer Lopez faces increasing speculation of a split, with their shared home currently on the market for $68 million, significantly higher than its purchase price in June 2023.

Affleck's new bachelor pad, which boasts five bedrooms and six bathrooms, presents a more modest and simplistic design compared to the opulent 38,000 square-foot abode he shares with Lopez. Notable features of the new property, as seen in photos obtained by Page Six, include separate breakfast and dining spaces, a family room, a den, a media room, and a powder room. The interior exudes charm with its spacious and airy atmosphere, adorned with vaulted ceilings and wood beams.

The chef-inspired kitchen is equipped with a deluxe stove and a massive stone island that comfortably accommodates five people. Additionally, one of the living spaces offers floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to a picturesque in-ground pool and a covered patio featuring a cozy fireplace. The meticulously maintained property also includes a guest house and horse stables, adding to its allure.

According to insider sources, Affleck's new residence offers a much-desired sense of privacy and seclusion while still being family-friendly. The property has the potential to be transformed into the ultimate bachelor pad, though Affleck's decision to select a home ideal for family entertainment is unsurprising. Previously, it was revealed that the actor "never liked" his and Lopez's current residence due to its distance from his three children, whom he shares with ex-wife Jennifer Garner - Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12.

It remains uncertain when Affleck plans to officially move into his new Pacific Palisades digs. Earlier this summer, the Oscar winner was rumored to be staying at a rental home in Brentwood, California, where both Lopez and Garner were seen visiting. The decision to list their shared house for sale first surfaced in June but was made public in July as they grew more eager to part ways with the property.

Insiders have revealed that Affleck especially wishes to part with their current estate, as he has reportedly never been happy there. Since their absence from the Met Gala in May, rumors of the couple's marriage being "over for months" have only intensified. Another source even claimed that Affleck is ready to move on, suggesting that he would consider divorcing on the grounds of temporary insanity if such an option existed.

Affleck and Lopez initially got engaged in 2002 but called off their engagement in 2004, partly attributing it to the pressures that come with fame. After rekindling their romance in early 2021, the couple confirmed their engagement in April 2022, subsequently eloping in Las Vegas in July of the same year. The following month, they held a formal ceremony for close friends and family at Affleck's Georgia estate.

As speculation surrounding their marriage continues to grow, Ben Affleck's recent real estate purchase adds fuel to the rumors of trouble in paradise. Only time will tell if these claims hold any truth or if the actor's new bachelor pad will serve as a fresh start in his personal life.