Ivanka Trump's $56m property spree on Miami’s ‘Billionaire Bunker’ island
Jills Zeder Group ; Ovidiu Hrubaru / Shutterstock
Take a tour of the secretive community Ivanka will call home
Back in 2020, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner parted with $32.2 million (£26.7m) to snap up a coveted plot on the reassuringly private Indian Creek island. The uber-exclusive, high-security enclave near Miami Beach is dubbed the 'Billionaire Bunker', and is home to fabulously wealthy tycoons and A-list celebrities. In April 2021, the pair also picked up a $24 million (£19.8m) fixer-upper mansion on the same island. Now, it looks as though they could be finally ready to move in and make the secretive community home for good. Click or scroll on to find out more and take a tour of the mysterious community they're relocating to...
Where is Indian Creek?
The island of Indian Creek is located in Miami-Dade County, off the coast of Miami in Biscayne Bay. Connected to the nearby town of Surfside by bridge, it's not hard to see why the isle's relatively isolated location would be a draw for rich and famous buyers seeking a secluded base.
Miami mansion-hunting
Back in early December 2020, Page Six was the first news outlet to report that Ivanka and Jared had been hunting for property to purchase in the Miami and Palm Beach area. According to their sources, the publication revealed that the couple had settled on a 1.8-acre waterfront parcel on the west side of the 300-acre Indian Creek community, belonging to none other than legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias.
Richard Cavalleri / Shutterstock
Upscale village
Indian Creek Village, to give the community its proper name, boasts just 41 lots and currently has around 30 homes in total, which are grouped along the island's shoreline around a clubhouse and a perfectly manicured golf course designed by celebrated architect William Flynn. Totally manmade, the pristine island hideaway was dredged from Biscayne Bay in the early 1900s and slated to be part of a larger artificial island.
State Archives of Florida [Public domain]
Early history
Instead, it was repurposed during the late 1920s as an exclusive country club with an 18-hole championship golf course, as well as a winter retreat for the tycoons of the age and their families. In 1939, rumours that neighbouring Surfside was planning to annex the secluded locale prompted its influential residents, who were up in arms that their private paradise might be opened up to the public, to come together and form their own municipality.
Boston Public Library / Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 2.0]
Discrete residents
Indian Creek Village was incorporated that same year and famous millionaire families, including the moneyed Woolworths and Hoovers, flocked to the island. From the get-go, residents have been tight-lipped about the community and hostile to press attention, so much so that a journalist researching a piece on the island for the Miami New Times back in 1993 struggled to find anyone willing to talk about it and remarked that precious little had ever been written about the place. The news outlet described the island's residents as "rich and paranoid".
Classier enclave
The island has long had a staid, conservative atmosphere and is considered the classier, understated alternative to Miami's other billionaire enclave, Star Island (pictured), where past and current residents include former couple Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, Shaquille O’Neal, Gloria Estefan and Rosie O'Donnell.
Victor Chavez / WireImage / Getty ; Jills Zeder Group
Top landowner
Indian Creek's leading landowner, Julio Iglesias bought two parcels in 1978 and went on to amass a further three over the years, including one on the opposite side of the island, which is home to a mansion he lives in for two months of the year. The Grammy Award-winner told the Miami Herald that he intended to gift the undeveloped plots to his kids, including superstar son Enrique, but he eventually decided to put the parcels up for sale.
Bumper deal
The veteran singer listed all four vacant plots in 2017 for a staggering $150 million (£123m), but the eight-acre bundle failed to entice a buyer. One of the lots went back on the market in January 2020 with an asking price of $31.8 million (£26.2m) before Jared and Ivanka snapped it up for around $400,000 (£330k) over the list price – the duo was clearly prepared to pull out all the stops to get the exclusive plot.
Harsh words
Iglesias did very well from the sale, having bought the parcel in 2014 for a bargain $21.6 million (£17.8m). Incidentally, the famed singer is no fan of Ivanka's father. In a 2015 interview with Spain's La Vanguardia newspaper, he blasted the then-presidential candidate for his attitude towards immigration, calling him “a clown” and vowing to never sing again in his casinos.
Another prime plot
The plum real estate deal came hot on the heels of the sale of another of his lots, which was acquired by celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr Aaron Rollins at the end of November 2020 for $30 million (£24.8m). Iglesias' remaining vacant plots look to have sold after being on the market as a bundle with an asking price of $100 million (£82.5m).
One Sotheby’s International Realty
Jared and Ivanka's second purchase
Ivanka and Jared also went on to buy this 8,510-square-foot waterfront property in the same sought-after community. The colossal crib had been on the market for half a year when the pair snapped it up, paying a cool $24 million (£19.8m) for the 1.26-acre estate. The high-flying couple purchased the pad in April 2021, moving into a rental apartment in nearby Surfside while renovations took place. It's thought that they bought the house as a short-term residence while they build their dream property on their nearby plot.
One Sotheby’s International Realty
Luxury interiors
The real estate listing described the property as a "neo-classical masterpiece" and "the finest move-in condition home available on Indian Creek island". These interior photos were taken back in 2020 and highlighted the home's high-end materials and luxurious amenities prior to its revamp. As you stepped through the front door, you were greeted by an imposing foyer, decorated with a Cinderella staircase, a 26-foot domed ceiling and a crystal chandelier.
Left to languish
Built in 1994, the house had six bedrooms and nine bathrooms before Ivanka and Jared got their hands on it, as well as plenty of light-filled living spaces including a living room, a dining room, a screening room, a wood-panelled office and a gym. However, aerial photos from around the time the couple made their purchase show that the mansion's grounds had deteriorated since the listing photos were taken. The outdoor hot tubs were drained, while the pool was green and definitely in need of cleaning. It's clear to see why the couple opted to move into a rental and undertake an extensive program of renovations.
Impressive renovations
The mansion has since undergone a significant revamp and gleams even brighter than the sparkling waters of the surrounding Biscayne Bay. The exterior appears to have been resurfaced and repainted, while the dated brown window and door frames have been replaced by modern black ones, complemented by a chic black trim along the roofline. The formal gardens have been overhauled and refined and a large cabana has been added at the water's edge. According to plans released by Miami-Dade County, the cabana will house a sauna, steam room, plunge pool, gym and outdoor shower. With renovations almost complete, the family is expected to make the move to their new property in the near future.
Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
Far from the White House
Relocating to the super-secure island may be just what Ivanka and Jared need to launch their new post-White House lives. But while they may have distanced themselves from the sensational swirl of lawsuits, indictments and party politics that surround Donald Trump, it'll be much harder to distance themselves geographically. Trump's controversial Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach is just an hour and a half north, which could prove too close for comfort. Only time will tell whether Jared and Ivanka will manage to keep their distance or get sucked back into the turbulent world of America's 45th president.
Kevin Mazur / MG19 / Getty ; BHHS EWM Realty
Ideal location
So why did Ivanka and Jared want the plot so bad? As well as being close to Mar-a-Lago, where Ivanka's father now resides, Indian Creek Village is moments away from the Miami Beach mansion Jared's brother Joshua and his supermodel wife Karlie Kloss acquired in August 2020 (pictured) – the couples are especially tight. Plus, it's said that other family members and close friends of the duo have moved to the area or are planning to relocate there.
Michele Eve Sandberg / Corbis / Getty
24/7 security
The island's seclusion and top-notch security are also major draws for the pair. A veritable fortress, Indian Creek has its very own 13-strong police force that scrupulously vets visitors. The community is only accessible by bridge via a heavily guarded gatepost, while armed officers patrol the island on land and by boat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
MAGA country
In terms of politics, the residents of the enclave lean strongly towards the GOP and Donald Trump, another huge bonus for Jared and Ivanka. While the twosome are reportedly keeping their Park Avenue apartment, they're pretty much personae non gratae in the Big Apple and have effectively been shunned by New York society. No wonder the pair have decided to decamp to staunchly Republican Florida.
Michael D Edwards / Shutterstock
Warm welcome
To break it down, the Indian Creek district recorded 42 votes for the incumbent and just 11 for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. With 79% of the community supportive of the former POTUS, the couple can be assured of a warm welcome by and large from their neighbours. The Indian Creek Country Club, however, is another matter entirely.
Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
Frosty reception?
According to Page Six, Jared and Ivanka “need not apply” for membership of the notoriously selective 300-member golf club, which charges initiation fees in excess of $150,000 (£123k) and dues of $16,000 (£13k) a year. Reportedly appalled by the storming of the Capitol in January 2021 – and presumably the four indictments Trump is currently battling – some members are said to be dead against Ivanka and her husband joining and are likely to veto any application, with only one 'no' vote needed to bar the couple.
Controversial past
The duo could end up missing out on the immaculately maintained golf course and clubhouse with its fine-dining restaurant. Shockingly, the club, which has had several run-ins with the island's residents over the years, had strict policies in the past that discriminated against Jewish and Black people, and actively restricted their membership.
Douglas Elliman ; Paul Morigi / Getty Images
New billionaire residents
Jared and Ivanka certainly won't be the biggest fish in this exclusive pond – particularly in light of the island's newest resident, Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos. The tech tycoon and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez reportedly picked up this home in October for a record-breaking $79 million (£65m). Originally listed for $85 million (£70m), the mansion features seven bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, across an impressive 19,064 square feet. Described in the original listing as "exuding timeless European glamour," the home once belonged to steel magnate Leroy Schecter, who sold it to an undisclosed buyer in 2014 for a significantly lower $28 million (£23m). Shockingly, it's not their only recent purchase on the island...
The house next door
Just four months earlier, Bezos snapped up a $68 million (£56m) mansion (far left), next door to his latest purchase (centre). The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home covers 9,259 square feet and stands on 2.8 acres. Built in 1965, it last sold in May 1982. As charming as it is, rumour has it that Jeff and Lauren may raze one or both properties to make way for an enormous mega-estate. Let's hope Bezos' high-profile neighbour doesn't mind a bit of building noise...
Jeff Bezos' new neighbour
Jeff Bezos' new next-door neighbour is hedge fund billionaire and former Sears CEO Edward Lampert. In 2012, the finance whiz paid $38.4 million (£31.7m) for this elaborate seven-bedroom, 13-bathroom neo-Palladian villa. At the time of the sale, Jorge Uribe, a listing agent with Sotheby's International Realty, dubbed the property "one of Miami's finest homes in terms of architectural quality".
Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock
More high-profile residents
Elsewhere on the island lives billionaire art collector and former Philadelphia Eagles proprietor Norman Braman, who made his money dealing cars. He snapped up this plot with its eight-bedroom mansion in 1991 for $3.9 million (£3.2m) and has packed the garden with imposing metal sculptures by the likes of Alexander Calder and Joan Miró. The previous owner of the neighbouring lot is said to have had ties to the Saudi Royal Family, though it appears to have since been sold on.
Royal connections
Standing on the other side of the Braman mansion is this jaw-dropping modern home with a 100-foot pool and cabana, 3D cinema, music studio and more, along with a beach area created with pink sand shipped from the Bahamas. It was sold in 2019 by a mysterious Russian buyer for $49.9 million (£41.3m) to Qatari businessman Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri, who may have bought the property on behalf of the Emir of Qatar.
Prized plots
Next door are the former Iglesias plots, while the next property along is owned by Hotels.com co-founder Bob Diener. His eight-bedroom mansion features a lavish swimming pool and tennis court. He sold the adjacent lot to Russian businessman Vladimir Krasavtsev in 2015 for $25.7 million (£21.1m). Krasavtsev offloaded it to an anonymous buyer in 2018 for $27.5 million (£22.7m). The next two lots were owned by MTM Star International, which is a company linked to hotelier Tulia Soucy de Gonzalez Gorrondona, who just sold one of those plots to Jeff Bezos.
Opulent amenities
Continue along the road and the clubhouse is next. Designed in 1929 by Swiss-American architect Maurice Fatio, the Mediterranean Revival building was named one of America's greatest clubhouses by Golf Digest in 2019. Next door, real estate developer Irwin Tauber's mansion (pictured) is a generous 19,594 square feet. Tauber bought the palatial eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom property in 2003 for $7 million (£5.8m).
Shula home
Next up, a home with an esteemed sporting history. Don Shula, the revered Miami Dolphins coach who won more games than any other trainer in NFL history, passed away in 2020 in his lavish home. His widow Mary Anne continues to live in the white five-bedroom, six-bathroom pad, which was built in 1962 and purchased by the Shulas in 1989 for just under $4 million (£3.3m).
MLSM / EWM Realty International
Wow-factor mansion
The plot along belongs to Rakesh Gangwal, the billionaire co-founder of Indian budget airline IndiGo and former US Airways CEO. In 2015, the aviation supremo paid $30 million (£24.8m) for the parcel, which was once owned by billionaire financier Charles Johnson. It wows with a five-bedroom, six-bathroom Italian Mediterranean-style mansion loaded with premium amenities such as a home cinema, wine cellar and gym.
Double plot
Colombian banker and property developer Jaime Gilinski Bacal owns the next two plots combined, which feature a seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom pile (pictured). The next two lots beyond that are thought to belong to Israeli billionaire businessman Yitzhak Tshuva, who has a glam 11-bedroom, 11-bathroom villa at his disposal, however, Jaime Gilinski Bacal may have scooped up those lots, according to The Real Deal.
Gustavo Caballero / Getty ; Courtesy Bart Reines Construction
Supermodel connection
Supermodel Adriana Lima and her ex-husband, the former NBA player Marko Jarić, are past residents of the next home on the circuit. The former couple bought the four-bedroom, four-bathroom home and land in 2009 for $9 million (£7.4m), and planned to replace the house with something grander. Following their divorce, Lima remodelled the home in 2020, before letting it go for $40 million (£32.9m) in 2022 in an off-market deal. The buyer was none other than Jaime Gilinski Bacal, who – if reports are true – may now own five contiguous plots on the exclusive island.
Opulent properties
Telecoms magnate Rajendra Singh and his wife Dr Neera Singh own the next home. The couple purchased the opulent seven-bedroom, 10-bathroom mansion and the land it sits on in 2007 for $20 million (£16.5m). Adjacent to them is billionaire hedge fund manager Carl Icahn's seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom holiday home, which he bought out of foreclosure in 1997 for $7.5 million (£6.2m).
Famous buyers
Next up is a six-bedroom, seven-bathroom manse spanning 20,047 square feet, which was acquired by Itzhak Ezratti, the president and CEO of Florida developer GL Homes, in 1999 for $4.3 million (£3.6m). Its neighbouring property (pictured) was bagged by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel ex-wife Gisele Bündchen in late 2020. The pair have since divorced.
Theo Wargo / Wire / Getty ; Google Earth
Celebrity grand designs
First reported in December 2020, former couple Tom and Gisele, who paid $17 million (£14m) for the plot, planned to demolish the existing home and build an eco mansion in its place. In the wake of their separation, Brady has taken on the colossal build project alone and secured a $35 million (£28.9m) construction loan in June 2023.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty ; Google Earth
Sister sale
Next door, billionaire property developer Jeff Soffer shared the lot's nine-bedroom, 11-bathroom mansion with his supermodel wife Elle Macpherson before their divorce in 2017. Incidentally, the neighbouring plot actually belonged to Soffer's sister, who sold the property to her sibling in late 2020, not long before it was bought by Brady and Bündchen.
Star-studded holiday homes
Cuban-born banker Javier Holtz holds the deeds to the next home on our tour, while the property along from that (pictured) was reportedly sold by investor Gary Siegler and his wife Barbara for $27.9 million (£22.9m) in 2021. It appears the new owner is now renting it out for a staggering $120,000 (£99k) per month. Julio Iglesias' modernist holiday home is next, followed by the next two plots, which are owned by Mexican millionaire and Grupo IUSA boss Carlos Peralta.
Village mayor
Duty Free tycoon Benny Klepach owns these two lots, which have two interconnected mansions with 30,000 square feet of floor space and a total of 12 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms according to the Miami Herald. Klepach is currently serving as mayor of Indian Creek Village, with Javier Holtz acting as his deputy.
Dina Goldentayer / YouTube
New 'Bitcoin billionaire' mansion
Chilean TV personality Mario Kreutzberger AKA Don Francisco, who rose to fame as the host of Sábado Gigante ('Gigantic Saturday'), the world's longest-running variety show, owned the next home along, but sold it in 2021 to developer Todd Michael Glaser. Glaser razed the site and constructed this mansion befitting of a 'Bitcoin billionaire', according to Forbes. In fact, he listed it in May 2022 when the project was incomplete for a staggering $59 million (£48.7m), but the listing was then removed. Before it was listed, realtor Dina Goldentayer shared these renders via her YouTube channel, giving us a hint at what the final construction would look like. Glaser went on to finish the project, but it wasn't a Bitcoin billionaire who bought it...
BHHS EWM Realty via Zillow ; Doug Peters / EMPICS / Alamy Live News
Is David Guetta the island's newest resident?
French DJ David Guetta is the famous name widely rumoured to have bought the brand new 12-bedroom,16-bathroom home marked out in this picture. If reports are true and the deal goes through, the 15,578-square-foot home will change hands for the huge sum of $69 million (£57m). Next door to the property, you can clearly see all the upgrades neighbours Jared and Ivanka have made to their mansion too.
Cut-price deal
Basketball Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino sold the next lot along and its dreamy eight-bedroom, 10-and-a-half bathroom mansion in April 2020 for $17 million (£14m), considerably less than its original list price of $24 million (£19.8m). It was bought by a Florida LLC, probably to conceal the identity of the ultimate owner. The next plot along belongs to longtime resident Alicia Ziegert, wife of Florida developer Franco D’Agostino. We wonder when Ivanka and Jared will join the island's illustrious roster of residents...
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