Epstein island resort plans face setback

[Knewz Staff]

In 2023, a billionaire bought Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean islands and announced “plans to develop a state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort” there. By: Candice Brown on Unsplash

Plans to redevelop Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean islands into a tourist hotspot have been postponed, according to new claims. Knewz.com can reveal that Stephen Deckoff, a private-equity billionaire, bought two islands from the late financier’s estate two years ago for the purpose of building a “state-of-the-art” holiday destination by 2025.

Vacation destination​

Private-equity billionaire Stephen Deckoff bought two islands from the estate of late predator Jeffrey Epstein two years ago. By: MEGA

Deckoff, whose net worth is valued at almost $3 billion by Forbes, announced he had acquired two of Epstein’s islands in May 2023 through one of his firms, SD Investments. “Mr. Deckoff plans to develop a state-of-the-art, five-star, world-class luxury 25-room resort that will help bolster tourism, create jobs and spur economic development in the region, while respecting and preserving the important environment of the islands,” he announced in a press release. According to the release, Deckoff has made a career turning “distressed situations into successful enterprises” and planned to work with the Virgin Islands government to “make this dream a reality.” The release further said Deckoff was in “the process of retaining architects and engineers to develop the resort on the islands, which is anticipated to open in 2025.”

No movement on ambitious resort plans​

Jeffrey Epstein referred to his favorite private island in the Caribbean as “Little St. Jeff’s.” By: MEGA

But the U.S. Virgin Islands government said it has not received any planning applications for development. Locals have also noted a lack of construction work since the announcement. Satellite images show both islands, Little St. James and its neighbor, Great St. James, have barely changed since Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on trafficking charges. Little St. James, which Epstein referred to as “Little St. Jeff’s,” was where the predator allegedly trafficked and abused some of his victims.

Planning applications not filed​

Tour companies in the Virgin Islands say there’s no evidence of construction taking place at properties formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein. By: MEGA

A spokesperson for the Virgin Islands government said building new structures or altering existing ones would require Deckoff to submit planning applications, and no such plans have been submitted for either Little St. James or Great St. James. Tour companies based around the Virgin Islands also said they have not seen any evidence of construction work at either location. “Nothing has really happened on either one of those islands. We haven’t seen anything going up at all,” said a local boat charter company operator. Another tour guide who works around Little St. James and Great St. James said it’s been quiet at Epstein’s former properties. “I have not seen anything and I’m out and about … that’s my little area,” the guide shared.

Royal ties​

Prince Andrew continues to face scrutiny over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. By: MEGA

Prominent public figures including former President Bill Clinton have denied claims they’ve visited Epstein’s islands. According to a lawsuit brought by the Virgin Islands against Epstein’s estate in 2020, Little St. James was “the perfect hideaway and haven for trafficking…” Those who were allegedly trafficked to Epstein’s islands include the late Virginia Giuffre, who before her 2025 death said she was 17 when she was assaulted there by Prince Andrew, one of Epstein’s old friends. The Duke of York has repeatedly denied Giuffre’s claims and has even said he didn’t recall ever meeting her.


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