Billionaire Plans to Turn Jeffrey Epstein’s Private Island Into Luxury Resort
The Caribbean hideaway once owned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is undergoing a dramatic transformation into a high-end vacation destination.
Little St. James — the 70-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands where Epstein infamously entertained guests — was purchased in 2023 by billionaire investor Stephen Deckoff, founder of Black Diamond Capital Management. The sale price: $60 million.
Deckoff’s vision? A 25-room “world-class” resort aimed at wealthy travelers seeking privacy, exclusivity, and all the trappings of an ultra-luxury escape. Construction crews have already begun extensive renovations, centering the property’s design around one of the two swimming pools Epstein installed during his ownership.
The island is already equipped with an array of upscale amenities, including a helipad, gas station, private dock, gym, tiki hut, library, movie theater, Japanese bathhouse, and three pristine beaches. Four guest villas surround the main compound, offering sweeping views of the turquoise Caribbean waters.
Epstein originally bought Little St. James in 1998 for $7.95 million, later adding the nearby Great St. James — a largely undeveloped island — for $17.5 million in 2016. That property was also included in the 2023 deal, though resort development will focus on Little St. James.
The project has sparked mixed reactions. Some locals and victims’ advocates have criticized the redevelopment, saying it risks erasing the disturbing history of the island. Others see it as a chance to repurpose the space and boost the local economy through tourism.
Deckoff has not publicly addressed the controversy, focusing instead on promoting the resort as a premier destination in the Virgin Islands. No official opening date has been announced, but industry insiders speculate the property could welcome its first guests within two years.
