LITTLE ST. JAMES ISLAND — PURCHASE AND DEVELOPMENT RECORDS USVI Recorder of Deeds / DPNR Building Permits — 1998-2019
Little St. James Island, a roughly 70-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands located approximately one mile southeast of St. Thomas, became the most notorious property in Jeffrey Epstein's real estate portfolio and the primary location associated with his criminal enterprise.
INITIAL PURCHASE: Jeffrey Epstein acquired Little St. James Island in 1998 for a reported purchase price of approximately $7.95 million. The island, located in the sub-district of East End, St. Thomas, was purchased from the estate of its prior owner through a transaction recorded with the USVI Recorder of Deeds. At the time of purchase, the island had limited existing structures and infrastructure.
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION: Over the following two decades, Epstein invested tens of millions of dollars in developing the island into an elaborate private compound. Building permit records filed with the USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) document a sustained campaign of construction activity including:
— Main residence: A large multi-bedroom compound with staff quarters, situated on the island's western elevation — Guest houses: Multiple independent guest structures positioned across the island — The "temple": A distinctive blue-and-white striped structure on the island's highest point, the subject of extensive public speculation. Building permits described it as a music pavilion or study — Maintenance and utility buildings: Power generation facilities, water treatment infrastructure, and storage buildings necessary to support an off-grid island compound — Helicopter pad: A paved landing area for helicopter access, facilitating rapid transit from St. Thomas — Dock and marine facilities: A substantial dock and boat storage area on the island's western shore — Landscaping and roads: An internal road network and extensive tropical landscaping throughout the property
CONTRACTOR AND LABOR RECORDS: Development work on Little St. James employed dozens of construction workers and tradespeople over many years. Records show that construction labor was sourced both locally from the USVI and imported from other locations. Workers were employed through Southern Trust Company and other Epstein-controlled entities. Former employees later provided testimony about activities they witnessed on the island, with several becoming cooperating witnesses in investigations.
VALUATION: By the time of Epstein's death in August 2019, Little St. James was valued at approximately $63 million in estate filings — reflecting both the intrinsic value of a private Caribbean island and the substantial improvements Epstein had made over two decades of development. The dramatic increase from the $7.95 million purchase price reflected both development investment and appreciation in Caribbean luxury real estate.
GREAT ST. JAMES ACQUISITION: In 2016, Epstein expanded his USVI holdings by purchasing neighboring Great St. James Island — a larger, approximately 165-acre island — for approximately $18 million. Epstein began clearing land and initiating construction on Great St. James, though development was halted following complaints about unpermitted clearing of vegetation and potential environmental violations. The DPNR issued stop-work orders related to the clearing activity.
ACCESS AND SECURITY: The island was accessible primarily by boat from the Red Hook ferry terminal on St. Thomas or by helicopter. Epstein maintained a fleet of vessels for transportation between St. Thomas and the island. Security infrastructure included surveillance cameras positioned throughout the compound, gated access points, and security personnel.
POST-DEATH STATUS: Following Epstein's death, both USVI islands became assets of his estate, subject to claims from victims, the USVI government, and other creditors. The islands' eventual disposition was addressed as part of the broader estate settlement negotiations.