Epstein Island Buildings and Structures: What Was Actually on Little St. James

What Was on Little St. James Island

Jeffrey Epstein's private island, Little St. James, became one of the most scrutinized properties in modern criminal history. Located in the U.S. Virgin Islands southeast of St. Thomas, the 71.5-acre island was developed extensively over two decades. While public fascination has often focused on a single building — the blue-and-white striped structure — the island contained a far more complex compound. This article documents what is actually known about the structures on the island based on court records, government filings, law enforcement reports, and verified aerial photography.

The Main Residence

According to the USVI Attorney General's 2020 complaint and media reporting from the Associated Press, the primary structure on Little St. James was a large residential compound. Property records and aerial imagery show that Epstein constructed a multi-building residential complex that served as his primary dwelling when on the island.

The main residence included:

A large main house with multiple bedrooms, living areas, and staff quarters, according to property records filed with USVI authorities
A separate guest house or guest wing used to accommodate visitors, as described in court testimony during the Maxwell trial
Kitchen and dining facilities capable of serving large groups, according to former staff testimony reported by the Miami Herald
An office area from which Epstein reportedly conducted business, according to documents referenced in the USVI AG complaint

Construction records indicate that significant renovations and expansions occurred throughout the 2000s and 2010s, according to USVI building permit records cited in the AG complaint. The residence was equipped with modern amenities and was maintained by a full-time staff.

The Blue-and-White Striped Building

The most widely discussed structure on the island is a building with distinctive blue-and-white horizontal stripes on its exterior and a gold dome or finial on top. This structure has been the subject of extensive public speculation, with many media outlets and commentators referring to it as a "temple," though that characterization has not been confirmed by any official source.

What Is Documented

According to construction records referenced in the USVI AG complaint and aerial photography analyzed by the New York Times:

The building was constructed on one of the highest points of the island
It featured a rectangular footprint with the distinctive blue-and-white striped facade
The structure had a gold-colored ornamental element at its apex
Construction permits filed with USVI authorities described it in functional terms — not as a religious structure
The interior layout and purpose have not been fully disclosed in public court records

What Is Not Documented

It is important to distinguish between verified facts and speculation regarding this structure:

No official court document or government filing has referred to it as a "temple"
The actual interior layout has not been publicly described in detail through official sources
While some media reports have claimed various purposes for the building, these claims have not been confirmed through court records
The FBI searched the structure during its 2019 raid, but specific findings related to this building have not been publicly separated from the broader search results

The Sundial and Outdoor Structures

Aerial photography, as analyzed by the New York Times and other outlets, documented several additional outdoor structures on the island:

A large sundial located on a prominent area of the island, visible in aerial photographs
A flagpole and associated structures near the main compound
Walking paths and roads connecting the various buildings across the island
A helipad used for helicopter arrivals, which was a common method of reaching the island
A dock and marina area on the western side of the island, used for boat access from St. Thomas
Utility structures including generators and water treatment facilities necessary for an isolated island compound
Cabana-type structures near the shoreline areas

Construction Permits and Development History

According to the USVI AG complaint and property records:

Timeline of Development

Epstein purchased Little St. James in 1998 for approximately $7.95 million, according to property records
Construction of the main compound began shortly after purchase and continued over two decades
The USVI AG complaint alleged that construction crews were brought to the island regularly, with workers sometimes brought from the mainland rather than hired locally
Building permits were filed with territorial authorities, though the AG complaint alleged that some construction may have exceeded permitted scope
Epstein also purchased neighboring Great St. James (approximately 165 acres) and began development there, prompting environmental complaints from local authorities

The USVI AG Complaint Findings

The January 2020 complaint filed by the USVI Attorney General contained several specific allegations about the island's development:

The complaint alleged that Epstein used USVI-registered corporate entities to manage island operations
Construction and maintenance contracts were funneled through these entities, according to the AG
The AG alleged that island infrastructure was used to facilitate trafficking of victims
The complaint described the compound as being designed with privacy and control in mind, citing features such as security systems, controlled access points, and staff quarters positioned to monitor comings and goings

The FBI Raid: August 2019

Following Epstein's arrest on federal charges in July 2019, the FBI conducted a search of Little St. James in August 2019. According to the Associated Press and other media present during the operation:

What Happened

FBI agents arrived by boat and helicopter to conduct the search
The operation involved multiple agents and took place over the course of at least one day
Agents were photographed and filmed by media outlets conducting the search across multiple buildings
Evidence was removed from the island in boxes and containers

What Was Reported Found

According to media reporting from AP, Reuters, and the New York Times, citing court records and law enforcement sources:

Electronic media including hard drives, computers, and storage devices
Physical documents and records
Photographic materials — the nature and content of which were subject to court proceedings
CDs and DVDs — consistent with the types of labeled media found at Epstein's Manhattan residence
Security system components including cameras and recording equipment

The specific inventory of items seized from the island has been partially disclosed through court filings, though some details remain under seal. According to testimony during the Maxwell trial, evidence recovered from the island was used in building the prosecution's case.

Documented Facts vs. Speculation

Public discourse about Little St. James has been marked by a significant gap between what is documented in official records and what has been claimed in informal channels. To maintain accuracy:

What Court Records Establish

The island was developed into a large private compound over approximately two decades
Multiple structures were built, including residential, utility, and recreational buildings
The FBI conducted a formal evidence search and recovered materials
The USVI AG filed detailed allegations about the island's role in criminal activity
Staff were employed on the island and some provided testimony in subsequent proceedings
Victims testified about being brought to the island, as documented in the Maxwell trial

What Remains Unverified

Many claims about specific rooms, underground tunnels, or hidden structures have circulated online but have not been confirmed in any court filing or official report
Satellite and aerial imagery has been subject to extensive amateur analysis, but conclusions drawn from such analysis have not been validated by official investigations
Claims about specific activities in specific buildings remain allegations unless corroborated by court testimony or official findings

Important note: Being documented as having visited Little St. James does not imply knowledge of or participation in criminal activity. The island served as a private residence and social venue, and many visitors had legitimate purposes for their presence.

Current Status of the Structures

According to reporting by the Associated Press, several structures on Little St. James have been demolished as part of the disposition of the Epstein estate. The blue-and-white striped building was among the structures reported to have been removed. The island's future depends on its eventual sale and the plans of any future owner.

Primary Sources

USVI Attorney General, complaint — vi.gov
Associated Press, FBI raid reporting — apnews.com
DOJ, federal indictment — justice.gov
New York Times, aerial analysis — nytimes.com
Miami Herald, investigation — miamiherald.com
DOJ Epstein Library — justice.gov/epstein

For the current status of the island, see Epstein Island in 2026. Learn about the staff who worked on the island or explore who visited the island. Browse the full case timeline or the document library.