As the investor's architect, I have a keen interest in delivering ROI for my clients with the practicalities of profitability as my primary focus.
So when our projects smash sales records in their neighborhoods or win awards for luxurious designs, we know we're on the right track.
But sometimes, no matter how big the investor's goal, practicality and real-world data have to become part of the conversation. We want our investors to achieve their goals, but we also know they’re relying on us for market insights that they might not have.
Oftentimes, this results in showing investors several alternatives to their initial plan.
Such is the case when the occasional investor asks about available lots on Star Island in Miami.
Considering the fact that there are only about 40 such lots (with many residents buying secondary lots as insurance) on Star Island, investing there is… an exclusive affair.
If you're unfamiliar with what Star Island is or where exactly it is, you're not alone. For many, this location is as mythical as Atlantis, even though it's just south-west of Miami Beach in Biscayne Bay.
In this article, we'll review a brief history of the island, but more importantly, for all of our investors out there, we'll share five irresistible alternatives offering space, exclusivity, and world-class luxury and returns.
Well, as far as Star Island in Miami is concerned, it was the brainchild of Miami Beach visionary Carl Fisher.
With properties being gobbled up on Miami Beach, Fisher took exclusivity to the next level with this man-made island. He offered a few dozen lucky elites the opportunity to have security, accessibility, and world-class luxury all rolled up into one.
Today, the island is a mixture of tropical architectural styles ranging from modern to Mediterranean, though renovations are extremely difficult to get off the ground as the close-knit neighborhood strives to protect the architectural significance of centennial properties.
Just one look at the properties there and you’ll understand why. Every lot, with the exception of a few central estates, claims waterfront access and sprawling facades.
It is common knowledge that you’ve got a better view of the stars while travelling to the islands, but this community takes that sentiment to a whole new level.
The resident roster reads like a Billboard Hot 100 party including names like Gloria Estefan (who reportedly has three lots here), Shaquille O'Neal, Rick Ross, and Don Johnson (you remember Miami Vice, right?).
The appeal isn't just the address - it’s the status symbol that comes from lifestyle preferences not available anywhere else.
The island’s single point of entry means paparazzi and tour boats stay at a comfortable distance. If you’ve driven through other celeb-rich locations (mainly Beverly Hills and Malibu), you can easily pick up a star map and catch your fav celeb watering the front yard on a Sunday. Well - not exactly - but you get the idea.
Star Island offers privacy that other A-list communities don’t.
There's only one way onto Star Island by car: a guarded bridge connecting to the MacArthur Causeway. That's it. No back entrances, no service roads, no clever shortcuts with Waze unless you’ve got snorkel gear and a kickboard.
If you're not a resident, a verified guest, or conducting approved business, you're not getting past that guardhouse.
By water, you might have a few options as this island was originally built to cater to avid boaters but you can’t exactly pull up to one of the many private docks and expect to go ashore without the SWAT team showing up 23 seconds later.
This level of controlled access is both the island's greatest asset and its biggest limitation for investors. Exclusivity drives prices up, but it also means you're buying into a market with almost zero turn.
For investors who still demand nearly impossible acquisitions, La Gorce presents a compelling option. There are almost 100 units available there with a modest buy-in of about $4M at the time of this article’s writing.
This might seem like a deal compared to properties on Star Island in Miami, but don’t expect and fire-sales any time soon. This gated community also offers an exclusive, family-focused lifestyle and real estate trends show that = even if you have to settle for Matt Damon or Billy Joel as a neighbor.
You’re not really settling when it comes to the Venetian Islands. Not by a long shot. If you want Star Island's waterfront prestige but with actual market accessibility, the Venetian Islands deliver. This chain of six man-made islands was developed around the same time as Star Island and connects downtown Miami to South Beach via the scenic Venetian Causeway.
The investment case here is straightforward: you get similar waterfront positioning to Star Island in Miami, with standard lots around 10,500 square feet, but with far more inventory movement. Properties range from about $2M for non-waterfront homes up to to $40M for expansive waterfront estates. Unlike Star Island's few dozen lots and near-zero turnover, the Venetian Islands see regular transactions and support new construction.
Practically, the open causeway means easier access for construction crews, buyers, and daily living. You're still minutes from both downtown Miami and South Beach, with panoramic bay views and private docks for waterfront lots. Most importantly, when it's time to sell, you're marketing to a much broader buyer pool than Star Island's exclusive few.
Located in North Miami, Keystone Islands offers something Star Island can't: robust development opportunity combined with waterfront access. This collection of islands and inlets along Biscayne Boulevard features many “old-Florida” homes with direct Intracoastal and bay access. What makes Keystone Islands compelling for investors is the availability of lots suitable for teardown and new construction. We've designed multiple projects here, like our Hibiscus Waterfront estate, currently in permitting.
This 8,500-square-foot home is a perfect example of Tropical Modernism, seamlessly integrating with lush landscaping and natural features while offering occupants warmth and flexibility through all flexibly designed rooms.
For our investors, Keystone Islands checks all the boxes with plenty of opportunities remaining if the island life fits your portfolio.
It’s almost like an island, except it isn’t. Part of the mainland, Coral Gables is surrounded by water and canals, giving you that feeling of separation - without actually being on an island.
Our project at 445 Solano Prado demonstrates what's possible when you combine prime waterfront location with innovative design. This 9,000-square-foot residence shattered sales records for the neighborhood. The signature element is a rotated upper level, set at a 45-degree angle to the main floor, that provides the owner's suite with unparalleled water views from private terraces.
Coral Gables is close to all city services and lifestyle musts, and if you time it right, properties become available there. Demand is always high here, but not impossible like with Star Island in Miami.
Island, no. But space, availability, luxury, and proximity, yes!
Pinecrest trades waterfront for something arguably more valuable: land. Large lots with mature trees and plenty of space to spread out and grow is the name of the game in Pinecrest.
Our award-winning project at 6675 Pinecrest proves the market's appetite for contemporary design in this area. No, we weren’t restricted by waterfront setback requirements, but like most of our projects, site constraints informed design potential.
This lot was essentially a forest when we walked it. But instead of bulldozing the amazing vegetation, we transformed it into the home's defining luxury feature.
In a sense, we created that same feeling of seclusion and approach you'd expect on Star Island in Miami (but without the bridge or guardhouse).
The home earned recognition from the Luxury Lifestyle Awards for its balance of sophisticated design and environmental integration, offering occupants resort-style amenities.
Let's be real for a second: Star Island represents the peak of Miami's luxury market, but that’s not always a good thing if you’re an investor with a timeline.
A proper investment should have an exit strategy a little more sophisticated than "wait for a billionaire to decide they want my specific lot."
The neighborhoods we've highlighted all offer paths to practical acquisition and predictable sales that don't require mythical timing.
For developers and investors serious about building equity through contemporary architecture, these alternatives provide the space, the privacy, and the market depth that Star Island promises but can't always deliver.
In the end, the best investment isn't always about location, location, location. It’s about the right location, defined as one you can actually buy, build on, and sell with numbers that make sense.
