Miami isn’t just a vacation spot anymore. It’s basically the new headquarters for the world’s tax-conscious billionaires and A-list icons who got tired of California’s traffic and New York’s winters. Honestly, if you’re walking through the Design District or grabbing a cafecito in Coconut Grove, there’s a genuine chance the person in the oversized sunglasses is someone you’ve seen on a movie poster.
But who is actually sticking around in 2026?
The "Magic City" has a way of attracting people, then spitting them out when they realize they don't actually like humidity. However, right now, the roster of residents is heavier than it has ever been. We’re talking tech moguls, World Cup legends, and the kind of musicians who don't even need last names.
The Billionaire Bunker: Indian Creek Island
If you want to know what celebrity lives in Miami, you have to start with the "Billionaire Bunker." This is Indian Creek Island. It’s a private municipality with its own police force—on land and water.
Jeff Bezos is the big name here lately. He’s been on a buying spree that feels like a real-life game of Monopoly. Since moving his primary residence from Washington to Florida in late 2023, he’s snatched up three different properties on the island. As of early 2026, he’s been living in a $87 million Mediterranean-style mansion while he waits for his massive, custom-built megamansion to be finished on the adjacent lots. It’s a project that involves tearing down existing homes to build one giant compound.
Then you have Tom Brady.
The NFL legend is officially a full-time Miamian. After the whole Gisele Bündchen divorce saga, he kept the Indian Creek property. It took years to build, but the $150 million estate is finally done. He’s been spotted around town more often lately, especially since he’s transitioned into his broadcasting era. His house is a masterclass in modern wellness—think private docks, a state-of-the-art home gym, and plenty of space for his kids.
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- Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner: They live just down the street from Bezos.
- David Guetta: The world-famous DJ recently dropped nearly $70 million for a waterfront spec estate here.
- Jeffrey Soffer: The billionaire developer and owner of the Fontainebleau.
Star Island: The Old Guard and the New Heat
Star Island is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a man-made oval of land connected to the MacArthur Causeway. Unlike Indian Creek, you can actually drive past the gate (if the guard lets you), making it a favorite for those "Celebrity Home" boat tours.
Rick Ross—the Biggest Boss himself—is the newest heavy hitter on the island. He closed on a $37 million mansion recently that used to belong to a certain pop icon back in the day. Ross has been very vocal about his love for the neighborhood, often posting from his waterfront backyard. He’s just a few doors down from Gloria and Emilio Estefan, who are essentially the royalty of Miami.
You might hear rumors about Jennifer Lopez still living here. Kinda. She and Alex Rodriguez bought a place for $40 million in 2020, but since the breakup, that property has been in a bit of a transition. She’s more of a part-timer now, though her roots in the city are deep.
The Soccer Revolution: Messi and the Beckhams
Ever since Lionel Messi signed with Inter Miami CF, the city’s energy shifted. But he doesn't actually live in the heart of Miami.
Messi lives in Bay Colony, a gated community in Fort Lauderdale. He spent about $10.7 million on a waterfront mansion at 91 Compass Lane. It’s got two docks (perfect for a guy who might want to boat down to the stadium) and about 10,000 square feet of space. While it’s technically Broward County, he is the face of Miami’s current cultural moment.
David Beckham, on the other hand, is a downtown guy. He and Victoria own a full-floor penthouse in the One Thousand Museum tower.
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If you haven’t seen it, the building looks like a white exoskeleton designed by the late Zaha Hadid. It’s the only residential building in the city with its own private rooftop helipad. Beckham uses it to zip over to the Inter Miami training facility without dealing with the nightmare that is I-95.
Coconut Grove: The Tech Migration
Coconut Grove is the oldest neighborhood in Miami, and it’s currently being taken over by Silicon Valley expats. The big news for 2026 is Larry Page.
The Google co-founder just dropped a combined $173 million on two massive beachfront properties in the Grove. It’s a move that mirrors Jeff Bezos’—fleeing high-tax states for Florida’s friendlier climate. Page’s arrival has basically cemented the Grove as the "Billionaire’s Row" for the tech set.
Why Everyone is Moving to Miami Right Now
It's not just the weather. Actually, the weather is pretty brutal for four months of the year.
The real reason? Taxes. Florida has no state income tax. For someone like Ken Griffin (who moved his hedge fund, Citadel, to Miami) or Larry Page, the savings are in the hundreds of millions.
But there's also the "vibe." Miami has become a global hub for art (Art Basel), finance, and sports. Shakira moved back to Miami full-time after her split from Gerard Piqué, specifically because she wanted her kids to grow up in a place where they could blend in a bit more than they could in Barcelona. She’s been using her Miami home as a creative base for her 2026 projects, including rumors of a new World Cup anthem.
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Quick Guide to Celeb Sightings:
- Faena House: Keep an eye out for Kendrick Lamar or various tech CEOs who keep "crash pads" here.
- Porsche Design Tower: Located in Sunny Isles. This is where Lionel Messi owns an apartment with a car elevator that brings your vehicle right into your living room.
- Gables Estates: This is where you'll find the old money and athletes like Pharrell Williams, who has a stunning waterfront property in Coral Gables.
Getting a Glimpse
If you're looking for what celebrity lives in Miami because you're planning a trip, don't expect to see them walking their dogs on South Beach. Most of these stars live behind layers of security.
Your best bet is a boat tour of Biscayne Bay. You can see the backyards of Star Island and Hibiscus Island. Just don't be that person with a megaphone.
If you want to "live like a local" in their world, grab dinner at Papi Steak or Gekkō. These are the spots where the contracts get signed and the after-parties happen.
What’s Next?
If you're serious about tracking real estate trends or just want to know where the next "Billionaire Bunker" is popping up, keep an eye on Southwest Ranches. It’s further inland but has become a massive draw for people who want acreage for horses—like Gisele Bündchen, who has been developing a massive equestrian estate there.
Check the public property records via the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser website if you’re curious about a specific address. Most celebs use LLCs to hide their names, but with a little digging into the "authorized signers" on the tax documents, you can usually find out who’s really behind the gates.