Billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has been steadily amassing a jaw-dropping $450 million real estate portfolio in Florida, and his latest move could reshape the ultra-luxury landscape. The tech titan is transforming an aging resort in the ultra-exclusive town of Manalapan into what many believe could become one of the world’s top-tier resorts—perhaps even rivaling Donald Trump’s famed Mar-a-Lago.

At 80 years old and with a net worth exceeding $186 billion, Ellison has been making waves in Manalapan, an elite barrier island enclave in Palm Beach County with just 400 residents. Over the past four years, his aggressive real estate investments have not only drawn attention but have also sparked a surge of high-net-worth individuals pouring millions into the area.

Then, in August 2024, he made his biggest move yet—dropping an astounding $277 million to acquire the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Manalapan’s largest structure and top employer. Though best known for his tech empire, Ellison has an established track record in luxury hospitality, owning the Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii, Nobu Ryokan Malibu, and Sensei Porcupine Creek in California. The expectation is that his involvement will transform Eau Palm Beach into one of the most prestigious resorts in the world.

A Legendary Retreat Reborn

The Eau Palm Beach has a storied past. Originally known as La Coquille Club in the 1950s, it was once a glamorous escape for industrial magnates, celebrities, and royalty, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Ginger Rogers, and the Vanderbilt and Ford families. Though the original club was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the current resort, its legacy lives on through an exclusive membership program for Manalapan homeowners.

But over time, Eau Palm Beach lost its luster. The resort, now showing signs of age, features outdated decor and even a carpeted restaurant—hardly fitting for today’s ultra-rich clientele. Ellison has already begun reimagining the space, launching a Nobu pop-up restaurant to attract a stylish, high-spending crowd.

Local developers anticipate that once Ellison completes his ambitious renovation, the property will become a magnet for the ultra-wealthy, further elevating Manalapan’s status among the elite. “The hotel has the potential to be an extraordinary property,” said Manalapan resident and real estate developer Stewart Satter. “Ellison has a reputation for creating some of the most breathtaking resorts in the world.”

Manalapan’s Meteoric Rise

The influx of billionaires is already reshaping the tiny town. Experts predict that the increased visibility will further drive up home prices, drawing even more of the world’s wealthiest investors. “The relatively small size of Manalapan, combined with its sky-high property values, makes it accessible to only the ultra-rich,” said one economic analyst. “Its growth will be fueled by high-net-worth buyers, and we’re only at the beginning of that trend.”

Miami-based real estate expert Ana Bozovic sees this as part of a broader transformation in South Florida’s luxury market. “The ‘Ellison effect’ is very real,” she noted. “South Florida is now flirting with the $100 million price point, and Manalapan is at the center of that shift.”

With scarce oceanfront property available, prices are expected to continue soaring. “Manalapan, originally founded by the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, is returning to its glamorous roots,” Bozovic mused. “The titans of industry are bringing their courts with them, reshaping the town in the process.”

Economic Ripples and Proximity to Power

Ellison’s investment is about more than just luxury—it’s also expected to boost employment in Palm Beach County, home to many working-class residents. “If he renovates the resort, it will absolutely create jobs,” said Bozovic. “This is a net positive for the local economy.”

Another major advantage? The resort’s location. Eau Palm Beach is just 20 minutes from Mar-a-Lago, the private club-turned-political powerhouse often referred to as the “Winter White House.” The proximity to Donald Trump’s estate is expected to further heighten its appeal among power brokers and billionaires alike.

While some speculate that Ellison’s resort could rival Mar-a-Lago as Florida’s top ultra-luxury retreat, industry insiders see it differently. “Mar-a-Lago is the de facto second seat of the U.S. presidency, so I don’t see a direct competition,” Bozovic said. “Instead, Ellison’s resort will serve as an extension of South Florida’s growing power base.”

Ellison’s Expanding Real Estate Empire

Ellison’s Florida ventures began in 2021 with an $80 million waterfront estate in Palm Beach County, which he later tested on the market for $145 million. In 2023, he shattered records with a $173 million purchase of a 62,000-square-foot oceanfront mansion on 16 acres. His acquisition of Eau Palm Beach in 2024 cemented his status as a dominant player in the high-end real estate scene.

His presence has also attracted other billionaires. Satter’s latest ocean-to-lake mansion hit the market at $285 million, making it the most expensive new-construction home in America. Hedge fund billionaire Chris Rokos is selling a nearby property for $150 million, and Fox News anchor Sean Hannity recently bought a $23.5 million estate in the same exclusive community.

Beyond Florida, Ellison’s holdings stretch across the U.S. He owns multiple luxury properties in San Francisco and Malibu, a significant portion of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, and several Gilded Age estates in Newport, Rhode Island.

Key Takeaways

• Larry Ellison is transforming Manalapan’s aging Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa into a world-class luxury destination, further cementing the town’s status as a billionaire hotspot.
• His investment is expected to drive up property values, create jobs, and attract even more ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
• The resort’s proximity to Mar-a-Lago positions it as a key location for power players and business elites.
• Ellison’s move is part of a broader trend of billionaire-driven real estate investment in South Florida, pushing prices toward the $100 million mark.
• With scarce oceanfront land available, Manalapan is experiencing a return to its ultra-exclusive, Gilded Age prestige.

As Ellison continues to reshape the town, one thing is clear: Manalapan’s days as a quiet, under-the-radar enclave are over.