Short Answer
Little Saint James, Epstein’s 70-plus-acre island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, featured a main residence, multiple guesthouses, staff quarters, an airstrip, helicopter pad, and a distinctive blue-and-white striped structure variously described as a music pavilion or temple, topped with a golden dome.
In Detail
Little Saint James island sits approximately 1.5 miles off the southeastern tip of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Epstein purchased it in 1998 from developer Arch Cummin for approximately $7.95 million and subsequently developed it extensively over more than two decades.
Main Residence
The primary structure was a large, well-appointed main house with views in multiple directions. Accounts describe it as featuring numerous bedrooms, a formal dining area, a kitchen with professional equipment, and spaces for entertainment. The interior reflected Epstein’s documented taste for provocative and erotic art.
Guest Accommodations
Multiple guesthouses and separate cottages dotted the island, allowing Epstein to house numerous guests simultaneously. Staff quarters and residence areas were separate from guest areas.
The Temple Structure
The most visually distinctive feature of the island was a building on a prominent hill, painted in blue and white stripes, topped with a golden dome, with what appeared to be statues or decorative elements on the exterior. It became the subject of widespread speculation online and in reporting. Various accounts have described it as a music room, a gym, or — more sensationally — a ceremonial structure. Physical examination after Epstein’s death found it was largely a storage space with a staircase and some unusual interior features. Its exact purpose remains a subject of dispute.
Infrastructure
The island featured a private airstrip, a helicopter landing pad, docks, extensive landscaping, an underground area or series of tunnels referenced in some accounts, and the infrastructure needed to accommodate a permanent resident population of staff.
Post-Death
After Epstein’s death, the island was placed under investigation by Virgin Islands authorities and was included in estate proceedings. Satellite imagery showed significant vegetation growth and apparent structural deterioration in the years after his death, suggesting the property has not been maintained.