The $60 Million Transformation: Where Is Jeffrey Epstein's Island Located Now?

The infamous Caribbean compound widely known as "Epstein Island" is a complex of two private land masses in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and as of late 2023, it is no longer owned by the estate of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This highly secluded and once-secretive location has been the subject of intense global scrutiny, serving as the central setting for allegations of heinous sex-trafficking crimes that shocked the world. The islands—officially named Little St. James and Great St. James—were sold to a billionaire investor with plans for a complete transformation, marking a definitive end to the property's dark chapter.

As of December 2025, the definitive answer to "where is Epstein Island located" is the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), specifically southeast of the major island of Saint Thomas. More importantly, the islands are currently undergoing a massive overhaul to be converted into an ultra-luxury resort, a move intended to erase the site's sinister past and repurpose the land for high-end tourism. The sale and subsequent development represent the most significant update to the property's status since its owner's death.

The Exact Geographical Location and Official Names

The name "Epstein Island" is a media-coined moniker that primarily refers to the smaller of the two islands, Little St. James. This island was the primary residence and the alleged center of the late financier’s criminal activities. However, the compound includes a second, larger island.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

Little St. James: The Primary "Epstein Island"

Little St. James is a small private island covering approximately 70 to 78 acres and is located in the Caribbean Sea.

• Territory: United States Virgin Islands (USVI).
• Subdistrict: East End, Saint Thomas.
• Proximity: It lies just off the coast of the larger island of Saint Thomas, a well-known tourist destination in the USVI.
• Geographical Coordinates: The approximate center of the island is located at 18.300261143166814° N, -64.82604748394064° W.
• Nicknames: Due to the nature of the allegations, the island has been infamously dubbed "Pedophile Island" by the public and media.

Great St. James: The Adjacent Island

The neighboring island, Great St. James, is a significantly larger, undeveloped landmass spanning approximately 165 acres.

• Location: Directly adjacent to Little St. James and also part of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Acquisition: Epstein purchased this second island in 2016 for a reported $22.5 million, expanding his private Caribbean domain.

Together, the two islands formed the secluded, 240-plus-acre compound that was at the heart of the federal investigation into sex-trafficking and abuse.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

The $60 Million Sale and the New Owner's Identity

The sale of the islands was one of the most anticipated and closely watched real estate transactions in the world, primarily because the proceeds were earmarked for the compensation of Epstein's victims.

The Sale Details

The two islands, Little St. James and Great St. James, were initially listed together for a staggering asking price of $125 million.

After being on the market for some time, the price was eventually dropped, and the compound was finally sold for $60 million in 2023.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

This final sale price was less than half of the initial asking price, reflecting the significant stigma attached to the properties, which ultimately affected their market value.

Who is the New Owner?

The islands were purchased by billionaire investor Stephen Deckoff, the founder of the private equity firm Black Diamond Capital Management.

The acquisition was made through his investment firm, SD Investments LLC.

Deckoff, who is a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands, stated his intention to completely redevelop the properties and make a positive contribution to the local community.

The Transformation: From Infamy to Luxury Resort

The most current and significant news regarding the islands' location is not just where they are, but what they are becoming. The new owner's plan is an ambitious effort to completely cleanse the site of its dark history by transforming it into a world-class luxury destination.

The Resort Development Plan

Stephen Deckoff's vision is to convert the entire compound into a high-end, exclusive resort.

This involves demolishing or completely overhauling the existing structures on Little St. James, which includes the infamous temple-like building, the main mansion, and other residential and utility buildings.

The development is expected to include new construction, modern amenities, and a focus on providing a pristine, high-end Caribbean experience that is completely disconnected from the islands' past.

Projected Timeline and Impact

The new owner has expressed a hope to have the luxury resort open to guests by sometime in 2025.

The project is anticipated to create numerous jobs and provide an economic boost to the U.S. Virgin Islands, a key component of the new owner's stated goal to benefit the community.

The development faces the unique challenge of overcoming the immense negative reputation associated with the location—a challenge that the massive investment and complete rebranding hope to address.

Topical Authority Entities: The Key Players and Locations

To fully understand the story of "Epstein Island," it is essential to recognize the key entities, locations, and financial figures involved in its history and its future. The narrative spans from the initial purchase to the final, transformative sale.

• Jeffrey Epstein: The late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who owned the islands from 1998 until his death.
• Little St. James: The 70-78 acre main island, the alleged hub of criminal activity.
• Great St. James: The adjacent 165-acre island, purchased later to expand the compound.
• U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI): The American territory where the islands are geographically located.
• Saint Thomas: The nearby major island in the USVI, used as a reference point for the location.
• Stephen Deckoff: The billionaire investor and USVI resident who purchased the islands in 2023.
• Black Diamond Capital Management: The private equity firm founded by Stephen Deckoff.
• SD Investments LLC: Deckoff's investment firm used for the acquisition.
• $125 Million: The initial combined asking price for both islands.
• $60 Million: The final sale price achieved in 2023.
• 2025: The target year for the new luxury resort to potentially open.
• East End, VI: The subdistrict of Saint Thomas the islands belong to.
• Sex-Trafficking: The core criminal allegations that gave the islands their infamous reputation.
• Victims' Compensation Fund: The fund that received the proceeds from the sale of the islands.

The transformation of this notorious property is a powerful demonstration of how a location, no matter how tainted, can be repurposed. The islands remain in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but their identity is rapidly shifting from the clandestine "Epstein Island" to an intended beacon of luxury tourism, thanks to the $60 million acquisition by Stephen Deckoff and his aggressive development plans.