Indian Creek spans 1,2 square kilometers, situated in Biscayne Bay, north of Miami Beach, and is home to 84 residents. The island features 41 waterfront lots, attracting numerous billionaires such as Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Brady, and Ivanka Trump. At its heart is an 18-hole golf course, part of the Indian Creek Country Club. Membership fees for the club are around 500,000 USD, along with a lengthy vetting process.

The island was formed through dredging of Biscayne Bay in the early 20th century. Incorporated as a municipality in 1939, it initially served as a winter retreat for financiers. In recent years, more billionaires have made Indian Creek their permanent residence.

Limited land availability has led to consistently rising property values, often exceeding 60 million USD. Earlier this month, Mark Zuckerberg purchased a villa for approximately 170 million USD.

The artificial island of Indian Creek in Miami, US. *Fortune*

Michael Martirena, a real estate broker with Compass in Miami, noted that many buyers often demolish existing structures to build new estates tailored to their preferences.

Privacy levels on the island vary by location. The western side, adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway and distinct from the mainland, is home to Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Mick Duchon, a broker with Corcoran Group, stated that western lots measure approximately 7,400 square meters, larger than the 4,600 square meters found in other areas. This spacing ensures complete separation between villas.

In 2023, Jeff Bezos acquired three adjacent properties valued at over 230 million USD. He resides in a Mediterranean-style villa and is demolishing homes on two western lots to construct a new, enclosed estate.

Real estate transactions on Indian Creek are always discreet. Data from the Miami Association of Realtors indicates that public listings are often absent. Buyer representatives must directly contact intermediaries for homeowners.

The island operates independently with its own government and police force. Florida state budget data reveals that 97% of police resources are dedicated to security operations. The sole road entrance features an armed guard station operating 24 hours a day. "No one can enter or exit without a reason," Martirena stated.

Marine security is even stricter. Unlike neighboring affluent areas such as Palm Island, Star Island, or Hibiscus Island, where tourist yachts often pass by to view celebrity homes, Indian Creek's waterway patrol quickly approaches and instructs unauthorized individuals to leave if they near the island. Dense vegetation obscures views from surrounding areas. Martirena explained that residents prioritize safety and privacy.

Indian Creek Island's location on the map. *Google Maps*

Indian Creek from above. *Business Insiders*

The bridge connecting the mainland to the island. *Business Insiders*

A homeowner's dock on the island. *Business Insiders*

Billionaire Bezos's 19,064 square meter residence. *Business Insiders*

Billionaire Bezos's second home on the island. *Business Insiders*

The home of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. *Business Insiders*

The migration of wealth to Indian Creek is partly driven by Florida's absence of state income tax. In contrast, a proposed 5% wealth tax in California is prompting many billionaires to seek new domiciles. Google co-founder Larry Page recently spent 173 million USD on two waterfront villas in the Coconut Grove area of Miami.

Martirena reported receiving continuous inquiries for homes in recent weeks from clients in California. "They never thought they would leave California, but ultimately they chose to protect the wealth they had built over many years," Martirena said.

By Ngoc Ngan (Source: Fortune)