Star Island Miami Real Estate 2026: South Florida's Most Exclusive Address

When people ask where Miami's wealthiest residents actually live, not in a penthouse, not in a gated community, but on their own private island with a guard at the gate and deep-water docks out back, the answer is Star Island.

Star Island is not a neighborhood. It is a 34-home private island in Biscayne Bay, connected to Miami Beach by the MacArthur Causeway, with a single guarded entrance and no public access. If you are not a resident or an invited guest, you do not get in. That level of exclusivity is precisely what drives Star Island real estate prices to the top of the Miami market, and keeps inventory at near zero.

This guide covers everything a serious buyer needs to know about Star Island Miami in 2026: what the island is, what the homes look like, what they cost, and how to actually buy one.

What Makes Star Island Different

Star Island sits in Biscayne Bay between downtown Miami and Miami Beach, directly south of the MacArthur Causeway. The island is roughly 100 acres total, with 34 estate lots lining a single loop road. Every home is on the water. There are no condos, no townhomes, no multi-family buildings of any kind — only single-family estates on large lots with direct bay frontage.

A few things set Star Island apart from other luxury Miami neighborhoods:

The guard-gated entrance is 24/7. There is one way in, one way out. Residents register their guests in advance. This is not a staffed amenity — it is the primary filter that makes the island what it is.

Lot sizes average over 30,000 square feet, with some exceeding an acre. In a city where luxury condos sell for $2,000 per square foot with a shared lobby, that kind of land is extraordinary.

Deep-water dockage is on virtually every lot. Owners park their yachts directly behind their homes.

Skyline proximity is immediate. Star Island is minutes from Brickell, South Beach, and Miami International Airport. The ultra-private address comes without sacrificing urban access.

Star Island Homes for Sale: What the Market Looks Like in 2026

Star Island's real estate market is defined by scarcity. With only 34 homes on the island, turnover is rare. When a property does list, it draws serious international attention.

Price Range: Star Island homes for sale typically range from $10 million on the low end — generally older structures on smaller lots — to $50 million, $75 million, or more for newly constructed or renovated mega-mansions with modern finishes, pools, entertainment spaces, and deep-water dockage for large vessels.

What your budget gets you:

Active inventory on Star Island is typically one to five properties at any given time. Many transactions happen off-market through agent networks before a listing ever appears publicly.

Star Island vs. Other Ultra-Luxury Miami Neighborhoods

Buyers considering Star Island are often also looking at Fisher IslandMore Info, Venetian IslandsMore Info, and Coral Gables waterfrontMore Info. Here is how they compare:

Fisher Island offers a condo-dominant market with ferry-only access and an extremely private atmosphere, but units rather than estates. Venetian Islands offer similar waterfront living with more inventory and lower entry points but without the singular brand of Star Island. Coral Gables waterfront homes offer estate-scale living with more availability, but the Bay access and exclusivity tier differ.

Star Island stands alone for buyers who want the land, the water, the privacy, and the name — all in one.

If penthouses are on your consideration list alongside Star Island estates, explore Miami Beach penthouses for saleMore Info and South Beach penthousesMore Info as a different category of ultra-luxury entry.

Who Has Lived on Star Island?

• Ken Griffin — Citadel founder and hedge fund billionaire. Griffin has assembled approximately 6.5 acres across seven Star Island addresses, investing close to $150 million in his island portfolio. He also owns Adrienne Arsht's former Coconut Grove estate, purchased for $107 million in 2022. His Star Island assemblage is the largest single-owner land position on the island.
• Gloria and Emilio Estefan — The Cuban-American music icons maintain a three-story compound spanning 21,011 square feet, assessed at approximately $43.8 million by Miami-Dade County.
• Phillip and Patricia Frost — Healthcare investor and philanthropist Phillip Frost occupies the island's largest property, a mansion spanning 31,270 square feet on a lot of 268,512 square feet, assessed at approximately $142.5 million.
• Stuart Miller — Lennar Corporation Executive Chairman, currently developing a waterfront mega-mansion on an assembled 2.8-acre position.
• Anthony Hsieh — LoanDepot founder, who paid $30 million for the waterfront mansion at 34 Star Island Drive.
• Rick Ross — Rapper and entrepreneur, who purchased 37 Star Island Drive in 2023.

Star Island Record Sales — Verified Transactions

These are closed sales from public records — not asking prices, not estimates.

The $120 million sale at 26 Star Island Drive in 2025, to Constellation Drive LLC, a Delaware entity led by businessman Michael Ferro of Merrick Ventures, set the Miami-Dade County residential real estate record. It surpassed the previous record and established Star Island as one of the most expensive residential addresses in the United States by transaction volume. 

How to Buy a Home on Star Island

Buying on Star Island is not a standard transaction. Here is what the process typically looks like:

First, off-market access is essential. Many Star Island homes change hands without public listing. A broker with active relationships on the island can surface opportunities that never reach Zillow, Realtor.com, or the MLS.

Second, proof of funds is required upfront. Sellers — and their agents — will not engage without it. These are not aspirational showings. Every showing is a serious transaction.

Third, move quickly when something comes available. Star Island inventory is thin and competition is real. A well-priced Star Island listing in today's market does not sit.

Fourth, factor in renovation timelines. Older estates often need updating. With luxury contractors in high demand in Miami, buyers should plan renovation schedules accordingly before making offers.

Working with a luxury real estate specialist who knows the island, the sellers, and the off-market pipeline is not optional, it is the difference between buying on Star Island and watching someone else do it.

What Star Island Real Estate Actually Costs

Star Island has no affordable entry point. The minimum realistic budget for a Star Island purchase is approximately $25 million — and that is for a property that requires significant renovation or sits on a smaller lot without the island's best water positions.

The price tiers:

$25M to $40M: Entry-tier Star Island positions. Typically older construction on smaller lots or non-primary water positions. Renovation budget should be factored into the purchase price calculation.

$40M to $70M: Mid-range Star Island. Newer construction or significantly renovated properties on competitive lot positions with genuine Biscayne Bay frontage and deepwater dock access.

$70M and above: Trophy positions. Large assembled lots, primary water frontage, custom construction at the highest standard. The $57 million, $45 million, and $120 million sales in 2023-2025 represent this tier.

The island's price per square foot ranges widely depending on lot size, water frontage, and construction quality. Trophy positions have transacted above $10,000 per square foot of interior space when the land position warrants it.

The Star Island Buying Process — What Serious Buyers Need to Know

Most transactions never reach MLS. Star Island sellers prize discretion above almost everything else. The most significant estate positions — large lots, assembled parcels, trophy water frontage — frequently change hands through broker-to-broker communication before a public listing is ever considered. If you are waiting for a Star Island listing to appear on Zillow, you are not accessing the market.

Broker relationships are the market. The active Star Island brokerage community is small. Relationships between brokers who regularly work the island — and relationships between brokers and current owners — determine who knows about upcoming opportunities before they become public. The buyer who establishes a broker relationship before a property comes to market is the buyer who has first access.

Due diligence is extensive. Star Island estates require title searches for riparian rights and water access, structural assessments given the age of many properties, seawall inspection and condition reports, dock permitting verification, and environmental assessment for older properties with potential fill or contamination issues. Plan for a thorough due diligence period regardless of how motivated the seller appears.

The closing process involves entities. Most Star Island transactions at the trophy tier involve LLC or trust structures on both sides. Buyers should have their legal and tax advisors engaged before contract execution, not after.

Star Island vs. Other Private Island Addresses in Miami

vs. Indian Creek Village: Known as the "Billionaire Bunker," Indian Creek has 86 properties, its own police force, and sits on Biscayne Bay on the Miami-Dade mainland side. Star Island has 34 estates and sits between South Beach and the mainland. Star Island has generated higher per-property transaction values. Indian Creek offers slightly different bay positioning and a longer established community history.

vs. Fisher Island: Fisher Island is accessible only by private ferry — a fundamentally different privacy model from Star Island's guarded bridge. Fisher Island has approximately 700 residences across condominiums, villas, and single-family homes. Star Island has 34 estates exclusively. Fisher Island offers resort and marina amenities through the Fisher Island Club. Star Island has no amenity infrastructure — it is purely residential.

vs. Palm Island and Hibiscus Island: Adjacent man-made islands in Biscayne Bay that offer comparable privacy infrastructure at significantly lower price points. Palm Island and Hibiscus Island attract serious buyers whose budget is $8 million to $25 million — the tier below Star Island's current market. Both offer gated access and Biscayne Bay frontage.

For buyers comparing these markets, browse Star Island homes for saleMore Info, Indian Creek Miami Beach homesMore Info, and waterfront homes for sale in MiamiMore Info across Miami-Dade's coastal estate market.

For the sales behind those addresses, read who lives on North Bay Road, Palm Island and La Gorce IslandMore Info.

Frequently Asked Questions: Star Island Miami Real Estate

Who lives on Star Island Miami right now?

Current confirmed residents include hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, healthcare investor Phillip Frost, Lennar Corporation Executive Chairman Stuart Miller, and LoanDepot founder Anthony Hsieh. The island attracts ultra-high-net-worth individuals who prioritize privacy, Biscayne Bay frontage, and the complete separation from public access that only Star Island's single guarded entrance provides.

How many homes are on Star Island Miami?

Star Island has exactly 34 estates. Several properties have been assembled into larger combined parcels over the decades — Ken Griffin controls seven addresses as a single assembled position — meaning the effective number of independent ownership positions is lower than 34. No new development is possible on the island and no lots can be subdivided below minimum size thresholds. Supply is permanently fixed.

What is the most expensive home ever sold on Star Island?

The Star Island record is 26 Star Island Drive at $120 million in 2025 — also the highest residential sale in Miami-Dade County history. Sold to Constellation Drive LLC, a Delaware entity led by businessman Michael Ferro of Merrick Ventures. The previous Star Island record was $57 million at 27 Star Island Drive in 2023.

How do you get access to Star Island Miami?

Star Island is accessed via a single guarded bridge from the MacArthur Causeway between Miami Beach and downtown Miami. The bridge has 24-hour security with controlled access. Every visitor must be authorized by a resident or have a verified real estate appointment. Drive-through tours and unscheduled visits are not permitted. Real estate viewings require a legitimate purchase inquiry and coordination through your broker.

What is the average price of a home on Star Island?

Prices range from approximately $10 million to $75 million or more depending on lot size, home condition, renovation status, and dock dimensions. The median transaction price in recent years has been in the $20M–$35M range, though trophy properties exceed this significantly.

Is Star Island Miami a good investment?

Star Island has demonstrated consistent long-term appreciation driven by permanent supply scarcity — 34 estates that cannot be subdivided or increased — growing demand from domestic and international UHNW buyers, and the continued migration of significant wealth to South Florida. The $120 million record in 2025 represents the market's ceiling continuing to rise rather than a single anomalous transaction. The risk factors are the depth of the buyer pool at the trophy tier above $50 million — which is global but genuinely thin — and the renovation requirements of older estates that can add $10 to $30 million to the effective cost of entry-tier acquisitions.

Are there condos on Star Island Miami?

No. Star Island is exclusively single-family homes. There are no condominiums, no townhomes, and no multi-unit buildings. Every property is a standalone estate with private land and direct water access.

Can you visit Star Island without an invitation?

No. Star Island has a 24-hour security checkpoint at its only entrance. Access requires being registered by a resident. There is no public beach, no visitor parking, and no way to drive or walk through the island without clearance.

Is Star Island part of Miami Beach?

Star Island has a Miami Beach mailing address and falls within Miami Beach city limits, but it is a separate island connected to Miami Beach by a causeway. It has its own distinct identity and security jurisdiction.

How do I find Star Island homes for sale?

Active Star Island listings are limited and sporadic. The best approach is working directly with a luxury real estate agent who maintains active relationships on the island and has access to off-market opportunities. Contact Ashton Coleman at 305.978.7704 for current Star Island availability.

How do I find off-market Star Island listings?

Off-market Star Island opportunities require active broker relationships with current island owners and the small community of brokers who regularly work the island. Contact Ashton Coleman directly — do not wait for public listings. The most significant Star Island opportunities are discussed and transacted through broker relationships before they ever reach MLS, if they ever do.

Ready to Explore Star Island Real Estate?

Star Island is the kind of address that does not need to market itself. Buyers either know they want it, or they discover it and immediately understand why it commands what it commands.

If you are serious about buying on Star Island — or want to understand what is currently available on or off market — the conversation starts here.

Ashton Coleman | ONE Sotheby's International Realty

305.978.7704
luxurycondobroker@gmail.comMore Info

Browse current Star Island homes for saleMore Info and Miami penthouse listingsMore Info on the site.