Ivan & Mike Team Featured in Fortune
Michael Martirena, co‑founder of the Ivan and Mike Team at Compass, was recently featured in a major Fortune article exploring Indian Creek Island, Miami’s ultra‑exclusive “Billionaire Bunker,” and the powerful wave of billionaire migration reshaping South Florida’s luxury real estate market. According to Fortune, this enclave has become one of the most coveted and secretive addresses in the United States.
Miami’s Most Exclusive Address: Indian Creek Island
Indian Creek Island, a 300-acre manmade enclave in Biscayne Bay just north of Miami Beach, has earned the nickname “Billionaire Bunker” for good reason. The island features a mere 40 waterfront lots, an 18-hole private golf course with a reported $500,000 initiation fee, and a resident list that reads like a Forbes ranking. including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, NFL legend Tom Brady, and Ivanka Trump.
With only 84 residents as of the last census, Indian Creek operates as its own municipality, complete with a private police force that patrols 24/7 by land and sea. A single guarded bridge connects the island to the mainland, and every visitor must show identification and may even undergo vehicle inspection.
Michael Martirena’s Expert Perspective
As an ultra-luxury real estate specialist who has personally toured properties on Indian Creek with clients, Michael Martirena provided Fortune with exclusive insights into what makes the island so desirable:
- Unmatched privacy: “It’s a bubble, and no one can get on and off, unless you have a reason,” Martirena told Fortune. Unlike nearby South Beach celebrity enclaves such as Palm, Star, and Hibiscus Islands, where boat tours regularly pass by waterfront mansions — Indian Creek’s marine patrols keep all onlookers away.
- Strategic seclusion: Because of the island’s location and strategic landscaping, very few homes in surrounding areas like Bay Harbor Islands or Surfside have a clear view of Indian Creek Island. “It’s the place to be,” Martirena said. “People of that caliber feel safe and not bothered.”
- Off-market exclusivity: All listings on Indian Creek are handled off-market. A buyer’s agent must deal directly with a property owner’s representatives. “It’s a small community, and just to keep the chatter at a low level, they do it all internally and very private,” he explained.
A Billionaire Migration Michael Calls “COVID 2.0”
Beyond the island itself, the Fortune article also spotlights a broader trend Michael is seeing first‑hand across South Florida’s luxury market. He refers to it as “COVID 2.0” another wave of ultra‑high‑net‑worth buyers relocating or repositioning in Miami. According to Fortune, interest at the very top of the market is surging even as activity at lower price points cools.
A major driver behind this movement is the proposed 5% billionaire wealth tax in California, which could retroactively apply to residents as of January 1, 2026. According to CNBC and The Ivan and Mike Team, the measure has already prompted a rush of high‑profile Californians to explore Florida as a primary or partial residence.
This shift is visible in the headlines. According to Miami Condo Investments and the New York Post, Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly buying a newly completed mansion on Indian Creek with an estimated price tag between $150 million and $200 million.
Jeff Bezos has acquired three properties on the island totaling more than $230 million since announcing his move from Seattle to Florida. And according to The New York Times, Google co‑founder Larry Page has purchased two waterfront mansions in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood for about $173 million and begun shifting assets out of California.
Michael notes that his own business has picked up significantly in recent weeks, with several new client inquiries tied directly to the potential California wealth tax. Many of these clients are “pre‑planning”: they may want to stay in California because they love their lifestyle there, but they also want to protect the wealth they’ve worked so hard to build.
Why Miami? Why Now?
The convergence of several factors is making Miami the top destination for the world’s wealthiest individuals:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| No state income tax | Florida’s tax-friendly environment saves ultra-wealthy residents billions annually |
| California wealth tax threat | A proposed 5% one-time tax on billionaires is accelerating relocations |
| Unparalleled privacy | Communities like Indian Creek offer security and seclusion unavailable elsewhere |
| Lifestyle & climate | World-class dining, culture, and year-round tropical weather attract global buyers |
| International connectivity | Miami serves as a gateway between the U.S. and Latin America, with a growing tech and finance ecosystem |
About Ivan & Mike
Ivan Chorney and Michael Martirena are the founders of The Ivan & Mike Team at Compass Florida, one of the most distinguished luxury real estate teams in the United States. With more than $2 billion in closed transactions, they are recognized among the Top 10 Medium Teams in the U.S. by RealTrends and #1 in New Construction Sales in Miami.
Ivan & Mike are celebrated for their deep market intelligence, developer partnerships, and discreet, relationship-driven approach. Their clients include UHNWIs, CEOs, athletes, and global investors seeking strategic acquisitions across South Florida.
Their mission is simple:
“We connect extraordinary people with extraordinary properties, delivering not just a transaction—but a lifestyle.”
Their insights have been featured in The Real Deal, Forbes México, Mansion Global, Inman, and The Wall Street Journal, positioning them as architects of Miami’s luxury lifestyle.
📍 Based in Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 📞 (305) 907-7948 📧 ivan.chorney@compass.com** | **mike.martirena@compass.com 🌐 www.ivanandmike.com
What makes Indian Creek Island different from other luxury communities in Miami?
Indian Creek Island stands out because it combines ultra‑limited inventory with extreme privacy and security. It has only a handful of waterfront estates, its own police force, a guarded bridge, and no public access for tour boats, so it feels more like a discreet private club than a typical neighborhood. This makes it especially attractive to high‑profile buyers who value confidentiality as much as architecture and views.
Why are ultra‑high‑net‑worth buyers relocating from states like California to Miami?
Many wealthy buyers are responding to changing tax policies, cost of living, and lifestyle priorities. Florida’s lack of a state income tax, combined with Miami’s year‑round warm weather, growing finance and tech scene, and easy international connections, makes it a compelling alternative to high‑tax states such as California. Proposed wealth‑tax measures in those states have accelerated interest in South Florida as both a primary residence and a strategic wealth‑planning move.
How can I access off‑market and ultra‑confidential listings in areas like Indian Creek?
Most trophy and ultra‑luxury properties in communities like Indian Creek are traded off‑market through private networks, not public portals. The best way to access them is to work with a local luxury team that has deep relationships with owners, family offices, and advisors, and that regularly handles confidential transactions. This gives qualified buyers early or exclusive access to opportunities that never hit the open market, while keeping negotiations discreet.
