Miami’s luxury real estate market has solidified its position as the ultimate destination for global celebrities, athletes, and business titans in 2025. From Hollywood stars to British pop icons, high-profile buyers have poured hundreds of millions into South Florida properties, reshaping the region’s most exclusive neighborhoods and establishing new pricing benchmarks for ultra-luxury real estate.
The market statistics paint a vivid picture. Miami now ranks as the second-most expensive city for million-dollar listings in the United States, with 10,641 properties valued at $1 million or more. Despite a median listing price of $500,000 and average resident income of $74,000, the luxury segment continues to thrive, driven by Florida’s zero state income tax, improved cultural offerings, and year-round sunshine.

Mark Wahlberg’s $37 Million Stone Creek Ranch Estate

Actor and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg made one of the year’s most notable celebrity purchases when he acquired Palazzo di Lago in Delray Beach’s Stone Creek Ranch for $37 million in October. The Italian-inspired estate, designed by Aldo Stark of Prestige Design Homes, spans approximately 18,000 square feet on a 2.5-acre lot within the exclusive gated community sometimes referred to as the area’s own Billionaires’ Row.
The fully furnished seven-bedroom residence came complete with ten full bathrooms, two powder rooms, a cigar lounge with advanced air filtration, a home theater, an auto gallery, a wine cellar, and a primary suite featuring mother-of-pearl floors and a hidden safe room. The resort-style outdoor space includes a lagoon-style pool, lighted tennis court, and a life-size chessboard.
Senada Adzem of Douglas Elliman represented the seller, while Michael Costello of Compass represented Wahlberg. The deal came after the property had been listed for $45 million, and Wahlberg received it turnkey with all furnishings included. Notably, the same property sold for just $26 million in January 2025 before undergoing renovations, demonstrating the rapid appreciation in Stone Creek Ranch values.
The purchase follows Wahlberg’s sale of his Beverly Hills estate to Paris Hilton for $63 million earlier in the year. His choice of Stone Creek Ranch reflects the community’s growing appeal to ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking privacy and security. The 37-home development features armed ex-military and police security personnel patrolling 24/7, and the lack of an onsite golf club ensures minimal outside traffic.
Hedge fund manager Steven Cohen, owner of the New York Mets, previously purchased a property there for $21.6 million. Two new listings are expected soon with price tags of approximately $75 million and $100 million, according to industry sources.

Robbie Williams Sets Coral Gables Record at $40 Million

British pop superstar Robbie Williams made waves in South Florida’s luxury market with his $40 million purchase of a waterfront estate in Coral Gables’ Old Cutler Bay neighborhood. The off-market transaction set a new record for the exclusive enclave at approximately $5,000 per square foot.
Williams acquired the 19,380-square-foot smart home from attorney Anthony Lopez and his fiancée Dr. Nicole Martin, an anesthesiologist and former Real Housewives of Miami cast member. The couple had purchased the one-acre peninsula property in 2022 for $21.5 million and spent two years on a comprehensive gut renovation that more than doubled its value.
The seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom residence sits on a rare peninsula plot with 435 feet of water frontage offering panoramic views from three sides. Key features include a resort-style pool and spa, outdoor firepit and kitchen, a wine cellar, an 18-car garage, a climate-controlled auto showroom, a state-of-the-art gym and massage suite, a cinema, and a bar.
Dennis Carvajal of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty represented the sellers, while Chad Carroll of Compass represented Williams. The pop star paid an additional $5 million for furnishings, bringing the total investment to $45 million.
Williams relocated his family of six to Florida after selling his Beverly Hills estate to Drake for $75 million. He has enlisted developer Manny Angelo Varas to oversee a $5 million expansion project that will add between 2,500 and 3,500 square feet to the property, including a 2,000-square-foot guest pavilion that could function as a recording studio.
Williams originally planned to purchase Rosie O’Donnell’s former home on Star Island, but structural issues below flood code level led to that deal falling through. The Coral Gables property offered a turnkey option allowing immediate occupancy while still providing room for customization.

The Beckham Legacy: $72.3 Million on North Bay Road

David and Victoria Beckham continued their Miami real estate expansion with the October 2024 purchase of a modern waterfront estate on North Bay Road for $72.3 million. The 14,270-square-foot residence, designed by Florida-based Choeff Levy Fischman with interiors by Antrobus Design Collective, set a record for the prestigious street.
The nine-bedroom, 13-bathroom home spans a 0.6-acre lot with 124 feet of water frontage on Biscayne Bay. Architectural highlights include a 124-foot infinity pool, reflecting ponds, a cascading waterfall, and a two-story living wall. Additional amenities feature a gym, spa, home theater, rooftop lounge, and outdoor kitchen.
Developer Niklas de la Motte had purchased the property for $10 million in 2018 before commissioning luxury homebuilder Bart Reines to construct the spec home. Dora Puig of Luxe Living Realty held the listing, which initially carried an $80 million asking price.
The Beckhams already owned a full-floor penthouse at the Zaha Hadid-designed One Thousand Museum tower in downtown Miami, purchased for approximately $19.8 million in 2020. Their expanding Miami portfolio aligns with David Beckham’s role as co-owner of Inter Miami CF, which has seen its valuation increase to $1.19 billion following the signing of Lionel Messi.

Messi’s Strategic Real Estate Moves

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has been methodically building a substantial South Florida portfolio. In April 2025, news broke that Messi went under contract for four luxury condominiums at Cipriani Residences Miami, an 80-story tower with 397 units being developed by Mast Capital and designed by Arquitectonica.
The most prominent unit carries a $7.5 million price tag and spans 3,500 square feet with four bedrooms. The building, which began sales in 2022, is not expected to be completed until 2028. Messi’s willingness to purchase preconstruction units demonstrates confidence in Miami’s long-term luxury market trajectory and the Brickell neighborhood’s evolution into a vertical luxury corridor.
Messi already owns a 10,500-square-foot waterfront estate in Fort Lauderdale’s gated Bay Colony community, purchased in 2023 for $10.75 million. His existing holdings include multiple condos in the Miami area, including units at the Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach and a full-floor unit at the Regalia tower purchased in 2021 for $7.3 million.
According to recent valuations, Messi’s real estate company Edificio Rostower Socimi has properties listed on Spain’s Portfolio Stock Exchange as a REIT with a total valuation of $232 million for seven hotels, shops, offices, and houses. His combined U.S. holdings approach $50 million in value.

Other Notable 2025 Transactions

The Real Deal reported several other significant transactions in South Florida’s luxury market throughout 2025. Billionaire developer Vlad Doronin sold his 2.5-acre Star Island estate in Miami Beach for a record $120 million to Merrick Ventures’ Michael Ferro in March. The 22,000-square-foot estate features six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a tennis court, pool, and dock.
In June, an entity managed by Mikhail and Mariana Peleg sold a 1.8-acre waterfront lot at 9 Indian Creek Island Road for $105 million. The estate is adjacent to two of the lots Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos purchased in previous years. The property last sold for $27.5 million in 2018.
Fort Partners sold a penthouse at its Seaway at the Surf Club for $86 million to an undisclosed buyer, making it the most expensive condo ever sold in Miami-Dade County.

The Market Forces Driving Celebrity Purchases

Several converging factors explain the sustained celebrity interest in Miami’s real estate market:

Tax Advantages: Florida’s zero state income tax represents substantial savings for high earners. When combined with no state estate tax, the financial benefits become particularly compelling for individuals with significant income from endorsements, investments, and business ventures.
Privacy and Security: Exclusive communities like Stone Creek Ranch, Indian Creek Island, and Star Island offer 24/7 armed security, controlled access, and separation from tourist areas. For celebrities seeking discretion, these enclaves provide unmatched protection.
Climate and Lifestyle: Year-round sunshine, waterfront access, and proximity to Latin America make South Florida attractive for international celebrities. The region offers a resort lifestyle without sacrificing urban amenities.
Corporate Migration: Major companies continue relocating headquarters to South Florida. Citadel’s move from Chicago to Miami and plans for a $1 billion office tower exemplify this trend. A more sophisticated business ecosystem has emerged, attracting entrepreneurs and executives.
Sports and Entertainment Growth: Inter Miami’s success, particularly with Messi’s arrival, elevated the city’s international profile. The club’s 17% valuation increase to $1.19 billion between January 2024 and January 2025 reflects growing global interest.
Development Pipeline: Ultra-luxury projects like Cipriani Residences Miami attract celebrity buyers seeking cutting-edge amenities and design. Developers have elevated standards, creating products that compete with global luxury capitals.

The Broader Impact on Market Dynamics

Celebrity purchases do not simply make headlines. They fundamentally reshape pricing expectations and market behavior. When Mark Wahlberg pays $37 million for a Delray Beach estate and Robbie Williams sets a $40 million record in Coral Gables, they validate pricing strategies for developers and create new comparables for future transactions.
According to Realtor.com data, Miami now trails only the New York-Newark-New Jersey metro area for million-dollar listings. Los Angeles ranks third with 9,042 such listings. The concentration of ultra-high-value properties in Miami reflects sustained demand from domestic and international buyers.
The transformation extends beyond individual neighborhoods. Stone Creek Ranch has emerged from relative obscurity to become a premier destination for privacy-seeking billionaires. Properties that sold for $6 million in the early 2000s now command $37 million or more. Comparable lots that traded for $800,000 in 2013 sold for $1.7 million in 2021, with current values likely substantially higher.
Old Cutler Bay in Coral Gables, traditionally a prestigious but relatively quiet enclave, achieved a record $5,000 per square foot transaction with the Williams purchase. This benchmark will influence pricing across the neighborhood and potentially throughout Coral Gables’ waterfront communities.

Looking Ahead

As 2025 draws to a close, Miami’s luxury real estate market shows no signs of cooling. Two new Stone Creek Ranch listings expected soon at $75 million and $100 million will test the upper limits of South Florida pricing. If successful, they could establish the region as competitive with the most expensive markets globally.
For developers, the challenge involves creating inventory sophisticated enough to meet expectations of ultra-wealthy buyers who can purchase anywhere globally. Projects must offer genuine differentiation through architecture, location, privacy, technology integration, and service rather than simply delivering square footage and standard amenities.
For celebrities and executives evaluating Miami, the value proposition has never been clearer. The combination of tax savings, climate, security, cultural amenities, and an established community of peers creates compelling advantages over traditional luxury markets.
The deals concluded in 2025 represent more than individual transactions. They signal Miami’s maturation as a truly global city capable of competing with London, New York, Hong Kong, and Dubai for the world’s wealthiest residents. When Mark Wahlberg chooses Delray Beach, Robbie Williams selects Coral Gables, and the Beckhams invest over $90 million in multiple Miami properties, they make statements about where they believe the future of luxury living is headed.
As one Miami-based developer observed, clients from California and other high-tax states are relocating for a different lifestyle. That lifestyle increasingly centers on South Florida, where privacy, sunshine, and financial advantages converge in ways few other markets can match.