The \$60 Million Transformation: Where Is Jeffrey Epstein's Island Now, And What Is The Billionaire Buyer Planning?
The infamous private island once owned by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, known globally as "Epstein Island," has undergone a dramatic and controversial transformation in ownership and purpose. As of today, December 25, 2025, the island is no longer controlled by Epstein's estate; it was sold to a prominent billionaire investor who has revealed ambitious plans for its future, aiming to erase its dark past by turning it into a high-end luxury resort. This article provides the most current information on the island's location, its new owner, and the specific details of the planned development.
The sale of the properties, Little Saint James and the adjacent Great Saint James, was a critical step in liquidating Epstein's assets to fund compensation for his numerous victims. The islands, once symbols of unimaginable wealth and alleged horrific crimes, are now at the center of a complex effort to repurpose a tainted legacy, though the location remains a permanent fixture in the public consciousness and ongoing legal scrutiny.
The Geography of Infamy: Little Saint James and Great Saint James
Jeffrey Epstein’s primary Caribbean retreat, universally dubbed "Epstein Island," is officially named Little Saint James. This 70-78 acre private island is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory of the United States. Its precise location is southeast of the larger island of St. Thomas, making it a secluded but accessible part of the Caribbean archipelago.
Epstein later acquired the neighboring island, Great Saint James, a much larger, undeveloped 160-acre parcel, to create a sprawling, isolated compound. The two islands were intended to serve as a private, undetectable base of operations, a fact highlighted in court documents and media reports. The location's remote nature in the Caribbean Sea was a key element in the allegations against the late financier.
Jeffrey Epstein: A Brief Biographical Profile and Property Empire
Jeffrey Edward Epstein (January 20, 1953 – August 10, 2019) was an American financier whose career was marred by accusations and convictions related to child sex abuse and sex trafficking.
- Professional Career: Epstein began his career as a teacher before transitioning to finance, eventually managing the fortunes of extremely wealthy clients. His net worth was estimated at nearly \$600 million at the time of his death.
- Island Acquisition: He purchased Little Saint James in 1998. The neighboring Great Saint James was acquired later to expand his private domain.
- The Real Estate Empire: Little Saint James was just one part of a vast, global property portfolio. His other major holdings included a lavish Manhattan Townhouse on East 71st Street, a massive ranch in New Mexico, and a luxury apartment in Paris, France.
- Legal Status at Death: Epstein was a convicted sex offender who died in a federal jail in New York City in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The Sale: Who Bought Epstein Island and for How Much?
The process of liquidating Epstein's assets, managed by the co-executors of his estate (including Darren K. Indyke and assets held by The 1953 Trust), culminated in the highly anticipated sale of the islands.
The islands of Little Saint James and Great Saint James were sold in a joint transaction for \$60 million.
- The Buyer: The purchaser was billionaire investor Stephen Deckoff.
- The Entity: The sale was conducted through Deckoff's firm, SD Investments LLC.
- Deckoff's Background: Deckoff is the founder and Managing Principal of Black Diamond Capital Management, a private equity firm managing billions in assets. Significantly, he is a long-time resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands, living on the nearby island of St. John.
The sale price of \$60 million was significantly lower than the initial asking price of \$125 million, reflecting the challenging market for a property with such a notorious and tainted history. The proceeds from the sale were earmarked to support the ongoing legal and financial obligations of the estate, including the Epstein Probate Case and the compensation of victims through the U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General settlement.
From 'Pedophile Island' to Luxury Resort: The Future Plans
The most significant and current development regarding the islands is Stephen Deckoff's plan to completely redevelop the properties. The intention is to demolish or repurpose the existing structures and transform the islands into a world-class, five-star luxury resort.
Deckoff’s team has publicly stated that the goal is to create a positive economic impact in the U.S. Virgin Islands and to distance the islands from the horrific crimes that allegedly occurred there. The plan includes the construction of a 25-room resort, which will involve significant development on both Little Saint James and Great Saint James, providing local employment and tourism revenue.
Unraveling the Past: Structures and Ongoing Scrutiny
Before the sale, the properties were a source of intense public curiosity and legal investigation. Little Saint James, sometimes tragically nicknamed "Pedophile Island" or "Orgy Island," was equipped with extensive facilities designed for privacy and luxury.
Key structures on the island included a main compound, a private dock, a helipad, and multiple outbuildings. Satellite imagery and photos released by the House Oversight Committee and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have revealed other amenities, such as two pools and various smaller structures, some partially buried into the hillsides.
The release of documents and never-before-seen photos by federal authorities continues to keep the island in the news, providing a chilling look into the environment where alleged sex trafficking and child exploitation occurred. The legal fallout is far from over, with the mention of a judge being urged to unseal reports in the Epstein Probate Case as recently as August 2025.
The transformation from a private sanctuary of abuse to a public luxury destination represents a complex moment in the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands. While the physical location remains the same, the new ownership and development plans are a deliberate attempt to overwrite the dark narrative of Jeffrey Epstein’s former domain, replacing the shadow of his crimes with a new, albeit controversial, chapter of tourism and commerce.
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