Jeffrey Epstein’s Caribbean Islands Now Available For $76.5 Million Each

Jeffrey Epstein’s estate is cutting the price of two private Caribbean islands that were owned by the late disgraced financier, according to one of the listing agents.

The islands, known as Great St. James and Little St. James, were first listed as a pair for $125 million in March. They will now be available separately for $76.5 million apiece, representing a 12% reduction in the overall ask, one of the listing agents said. If a buyer wanted to purchase both, they could still do so for a combined $153 million.

Located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the properties are among the final pieces of Epstein’s sprawling international property portfolio, portions of which have already sold for large sums.

The estate sold Epstein’s Upper East Side Manhattan mansion for $71 million in March 2021, and his Palm Beach home for $25.7 million in March 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Palm Beach home has since been torn down.

Adam Modlin of Modlin Group, one of the agents marketing the islands, said that several potential buyers have expressed interest in the properties, but that there was more interest in them individually than as a pair.

Great St. James, located across the bay from St. Thomas, spans more than 160 acres and has only a small collection of structures as well as a marine preserve known as Christmas Cove, listing materials show.

Little St. James has over 70 acres, a helipad, a private dock, a gas station, two pools, a main residential compound, four guest villas, three private beaches, a gym and a tiki hut.

Epstein, who died in an apparent suicide at a New York detention centre in 2019, was accused by Virgin Islands prosecutors in 2020 of bringing girls as young as 11 to the islands and sexually assaulting them.

Daniel Weiner, an attorney for the Epstein estate, said proceeds from the sale of the islands will go to resolving outstanding lawsuits and the costs of the estate’s operations and will be subject to tax authorities, creditors and other claimants, including liens placed on the properties by U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George.

Mr. Modlin is marketing the properties with Bespoke Real Estate and in partnership with a local Virgin Islands firm, Christie’s International Real Estate the Saints.

Epstein’s other remaining properties include a ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., which is listed for $38.3 million.

The Australian housing market is rapidly evolving, with new research revealing changing activity in regional and city areas.

The latest Regional Movers Index from the Commonwealth Bank showed the exodus from Australian cities to the regions is significantly exceeding pre-COVID movements, sitting at 19.8 percent higher. Even more revealing is data which showed relocations are 1.8 percent up on the average recorded during the height of the lockdowns. At the same time, people in regional areas are staying put.

The report is a partnership between the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australian Institute. RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the regions have become the permanent home of choice for more Australians.

“The inter-regional migration index —which tracks regional to regional relocations — has fallen by 5.1 percent, suggesting that more regional residents are content to stay where they are. With the continuing strong jobs market across regional Australia, increasing city property prices and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it’s no surprise the regions remain desirable,” Ms Ritchie said.

She said this had significant implications for planners, with a better understanding of infrastructure needs required by planners.

“Regional Australia is truly the nation’s new frontier. There are so many opportunities in our regional communities, but likewise we know there are challenges. Housing for example remains a key ongoing concern in many communities,” she said. “Regional Australia is growing and for that to continue we need adequate foundations. The time to lay them is now.”

Among the areas to benefit from this shift over the past quarter was the Hunter Valley city of Maitland in NSW which saw a 3.4 percent increase in net migration from the cities and other regional areas. Long seen as the less desirable locale in the wine growing region, Maitland has attracted more buyers looking for an affordable home with lifestyle benefits. CBA Executive General Manager Regional and Agribusiness Banking Paul Fowler said it was an area on the rise.

“There is significant development happening around Maitland, with extensive land releases for residential, industrial, commercial and retail fuelling strong employment and construction industry opportunities,” Mr Fowler said.

“Maitland is also set to benefit from major investments in the area including the nearby Newcastle Airport which will welcome international flights from 2025, further enhancing the region’s accessibility and economic profile.”

And while Melbourne property prices continue to experience a lull, it’s a different story outside the capital, with regions closer to main city centres performing particularly well.

“A move to regional Victoria remains on trend among those relocating, with the state’s regional areas experiencing the largest surge in popularity in the 12-month period to September 2024, with its share of net regional inflows rising from 21 percent to 30 percent,” Mt Fowler said. “Trending scenic LGAs like Queenscliffe on the coast, as well as Moira, Wangaratta and Strathbogie located further north, offer attractive and more affordable lifestyle opportunities for many Australians.

“With more corporate employers setting up or relocating to Geelong, Queenscliffe’s proximity to Greater Geelong and the Melbourne CBD means more regional Australians can enjoy diverse employment opportunities while living in a beautiful location with enhanced lifestyle opportunities.”

Jeffrey Epstein’s Caribbean Islands Now Available For $76.5 Million Each

Buyers can still purchase Great St. James and Little St. James together for around a discounted $153 million

Buyers are moving there in their droves while existing residents know they’re on a good thing