Rick Ross Transforms $35M Star Island Estate into $100M Dream Megamansion with $20M Renovation and Ocean Expansion
Rap mogul Rick Ross, a Miami native and titan in the music world, is currently building what could become one of the most extravagant private residences in the city.
Last summer, the Grammy-nominated artist — real name William Leonard Roberts II — made waves when he dropped a staggering $35 million on a waterfront mansion on Miami’s exclusive Star Island. But that was only the beginning.
The Post has learned that Ross is pouring an additional $20 million into a massive renovation, aiming to create a $100 million megamansion capable of rivaling those owned by Miami’s wealthiest, including billionaires Ken Griffin and Jeff Bezos.
A major part of the renovation involves expanding the home’s size by 4,000 square feet — part of a luxury vision Ross is passionately pursuing.
“We are thrilled to be expanding the house towards the ocean,” Ross told The Post. “We’re also planning a rare Koi fish pond from Japan, possibly with a Basquiat painting for the walls.”
Ross was initially captivated by the 12,400-square-foot mansion at 37 Star Island Drive. In July, following approval from the neighborhood’s homeowners association, he excitedly shared the purchase with fans on social media.
The excitement wasn’t just his own. Fellow Star Island resident Sean “Diddy” Combs welcomed Ross to the neighborhood with a thoughtful gift — a golf cart to help him get around the ultra-exclusive enclave.
But Ross’s vision goes beyond personal taste — he’s enlisted the expertise of luxury builder Manny Angelo Varas, a specialist known for creating grand estates for celebrities and the ultra-wealthy.
“Rick has bold plans,” Varas told The Post. “He wants this to be one of Miami’s most iconic homes. That gives us the freedom to be both innovative and meticulous with design and materials.” He added, “When it’s complete, this residence will be among the city’s most talked-about, worth around $100 million.”
Photos of the renovation, obtained exclusively by The Post, show the mansion stripped to its essentials, awaiting its transformation. Plans include a state-of-the-art recording and production studio and a long list of high-end features.
Renderings showcase a luxurious pool stretching along the waterfront, framed by plush lounge areas. The exterior design features massive panes of glass that will flood the home with natural light and provide sweeping views of the bay.
With a dream team behind him and no expense spared, Ross’s Star Island estate is poised to be more than just a home — it’s a statement of creativity, ambition, and luxury living at the highest level.
