Short Answer
Epstein purchased Great Saint James, a larger island adjacent to his primary Little Saint James property, in 2016. After his death, it became part of the 1953 Trust estate. In 2022, Great Saint James was transferred to the US Virgin Islands as part of the settlement with the USVI government, with funds earmarked for environmental restoration.
In Detail
The Purchase
Epstein purchased Great Saint James in 2016 for approximately $18 million. The island is larger than Little Saint James at roughly 165 acres and was largely undeveloped. At the time of purchase, observers speculated the acquisition was an attempt to create a buffer zone preventing boat access and visual exposure to Little Saint James from that direction.
Epstein’s Plans
There is no public evidence that Epstein developed substantial structures on Great Saint James before his death. The island remained largely in its natural state, though there were reports of some unauthorized construction or modification of the landscape before regulators intervened.
The USVI Settlement
The $105 million settlement between Epstein’s estate and the US Virgin Islands government, reached in 2022, included the transfer of Great Saint James to USVI control. The agreement specified that proceeds from the island or its management would be dedicated to ecological preservation and restoration of the surrounding marine environment, which had been affected by Epstein-era activities.
Current Status
As of 2025-2026, Great Saint James was under USVI governmental oversight, with plans for ecological restoration of the surrounding reef systems. The island represented one of the more unusual aspects of the estate settlement — converting a property associated with criminal activity into an environmental asset.