Main Content
Behind the gates of Indian Creek: Inside the Billionaire Bunker
Also known as Miami’s Billionaire Bunker, Indian Creek Island is a private island just off Miami Beach that’s drawn some of the wealthiest, most high-profile buyers in the world. Its appeal lies in the unmatched combination of total privacy, tight security, and deep water dockage, all just minutes from Bal Harbour and private aviation.
If you’re wondering who lives on Indian Creek Island, the answer keeps evolving, but the direction is clear. The island’s getting even more exclusive, and the names behind the gates are only getting bigger.
THE ISLAND THAT HAS EVERYTHING—EXCEPT PUBLIC ACCESS
Location, layout, and access
Indian Creek sits on Biscayne Bay, just west of Surfside and Miami Beach. It spans 300 acres, featuring around 40 waterfront lots that face either the bay or the golf course. A single guarded bridge off 91st Street controls all entry.
Only residents, guests, and approved staff are allowed in. Security starts before the bridge, with monitored entry and patrol boats circling the perimeter. The island even operates as its own municipality (Indian Creek Village) with a dedicated police force, zoning board, and elected officials.
Amenities and lifestyle
Indian Creek doesn’t have a long list of shared amenities, but what it does offer is best-in-class, tightly controlled, and designed for low visibility.
Here’s what defines day-to-day life on the island:
- Indian Creek Country Club: A private club with an 18-hole William Flynn-designed course that spans the center of the island. Membership is invite-only and capped. Amenities include tennis courts, formal dining, and event space.
- Private waterfront access: Every home sits on the island’s perimeter with direct bay frontage and private docks. Most properties support large yachts.
- Boating convenience: Residents can reach the Atlantic in under 30 minutes via Haulover Inlet or Government Cut.
- Close access to top-tier services: The Bal Harbour Shops, Surf Club dining, and private aviation hubs like Opa-locka Executive Airport are all within a 15 to 30-minute drive.
Privacy and financial advantages
Indian Creek doesn’t have tour boats, foot traffic, or commercial activity. It’s a closed environment by design, where daily life happens without noise or exposure.
That peace of mind is one reason high-profile buyers keep coming. Add in Florida’s tax advantages (no state income tax, no capital gains tax, and no estate tax), and Indian Creek Island real estate can become one of the most strategic plays in South Florida.
WHO LIVES ON INDIAN CREEK ISLAND NOW?
Jeff Bezos
When people ask who lives on Indian Creek Island, Bezos is now one of the first names that come to mind. He’s acquired three properties, spending a total of around $237 million. The first was a 2.8-acre estate for $68 million. He followed that with a neighboring home for $79 million, then added a third for $90 million—all in a matter of months.
The homes sit side by side along the island’s western edge, with wide bay views and deep water frontage. While there’s no official word, he’ll likely combine the lots into a single estate.
Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner bought their Indian Creek home in April 2021 for about $24 million. The 1.8-acre estate sits along the island’s eastern waterfront, with direct bay views and a long private drive.
Since purchasing the property, they’ve completed a full two-year renovation, transforming it into a modern estate. The updates were kept quiet, but aerial shots show clean lines, white stonework, and a layout designed for privacy.
They’ve stayed mostly out of the spotlight, spending time between home and nearby Surfside. Their move marked a full shift from public life to private living, exactly what the island is built for.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady bought a vacant lot on Indian Creek for $17 million and has since built a two-story waterfront estate. The property includes a gym, pool, tennis court, and private dock, all designed with privacy in mind.
The house sits on the island’s northern edge and was originally part of a shared plan with Gisele Bündchen before their divorce. Now, Brady occupies the property solo.
David Guetta
In 2023, David Guetta purchased a 12-bedroom, 16,000-square-foot mansion on Indian Creek Island Drive for $69 million. The home sits on 118 feet of bayfront and includes expansive living space, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and a wide-open layout built for entertaining. The architecture leans modern, with clean lines and a heavy emphasis on indoor-outdoor flow.
Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias has been tied to Indian Creek for decades. He bought his first home on the island in 1979 and added to his holdings over the years, including a $15.2 million purchase in 2012 that was later demolished to make room for new construction.
At one point, Iglesias owned a large ensemble of lots that he reportedly intended to develop for his children. In 2017, he listed several of the parcels for sale at with Jill Eber a combined $150 million, though they were later relisted individually.
While others have come and gone, Iglesias helped put Indian Creek on the map as a celebrity enclave. His long-term presence gave the island visibility, well before its current billionaire boom.
Other notables
Carl Icahn, one of Wall Street’s most successful investors, purchased his Indian Creek mansion in 1997 for $7.5 million. He’s kept a low profile ever since, rarely seen in the press and largely absent from local headlines. Still, his presence on the island adds weight as he was among the earlier billionaire residents to settle here.
Jaime Gilinski, one of Latin America’s wealthiest bankers, owns at least five properties on the island. His total investment is estimated at $80 million, including the purchase of Adriana Lima’s former estate. He’s reportedly planning to tear down some of the existing homes and replace them with new custom builds.
While they aren’t household names in the same way as Brady or Bezos, residents like Icahn and Gilinski reflect the quiet power that defines Indian Creek. These are long-view investors who value control, scale, and total discretion.
WHAT INDIAN CREEK ISLAND REAL ESTATE LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW
The market on Indian Creek moves quietly and quickly, much like those who live on Indian Creek Island—rarely visible, but closely watched. Inventory is slim, deals are often private, and buyers come prepared. Here’s what you need to know if you’re serious about entering this market:
- Listings are scarce: At any given time, there are typically zero to three Indian Creek Island homes for sale publicly. Most sales happen off-market through private channels.
- Price points are high, even for teardowns: Entry-level pricing is well into the eight-figure range. Older homes often trade for land value alone, with teardown lots commanding significant premiums.
- New builds dominate buyer demand: Many of the older Mediterranean estates are being replaced with large-scale, modern homes. Think floor-to-ceiling glass, sleek materials, and custom layouts designed for privacy and security.
- Waterfront lots command a premium: Nearly every home on the island is bayfront, but deeper lots with west-facing sunset views tend to trade for the highest prices.
- Buyers are global and well-connected: Tech founders, private equity execs, and international billionaires make up most of the demand. Sellers expect quiet transactions and well-qualified offers.
- Design is hyper-customized: Smart home tech, full compound layouts, yacht-ready docks, and panic rooms are all increasingly common.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Why is Indian Creek called the Billionaire Bunker in Miami?
The name comes from its resident profile and layout. With a guarded bridge, its own police force, and zero public access, it’s designed to keep the outside world out.
Can anyone buy a home on Indian Creek Island?
Yes, but most properties never hit public listings. Serious buyers work through brokers with deep local ties and often need to move quietly and fast.
How much does a home cost on Indian Creek Island?Homes typically trade in the high eight- to nine-figure range. Pricing depends on lot size, water frontage, and whether the property is a teardown or a move-in-ready estate.
READY TO BUY IN THE BILLIONAIRE BUNKER?
Buying on Indian Creek requires more than just interest; it takes access. The Jills Zeder Group is Florida’s top-ranked real estate team, with over $9 billion in career sales and a long history of discreetly representing buyers and sellers on the island.
If you’re serious about Indian Creek, start with the team that’s already on the inside. Contact the Jills Zeder Group to take the next step.
