About Williams Island, History, Buildings & Community
How a Name Became a Legacy
Williams Island takes its name from Raymond Gaylord Williams, a South Florida pioneer whose family arrived in Miami in 1924. His father had been recruited by George E. Merrick, the developer behind Coral Gables, to establish a military academy. The land itself was sculpted by decades of rock mining by Evert Price Maule, Williams' father-in-law and founder of Maule Industries, creating the 84-acre peninsula between Dumbfoundling Bay, Maule Lake, and Little Maule Lake.
In 1969, Williams sold the tract for $1,815,000. In 1980, Julius and Edmond Trump acquired the land for $17,616,500, setting the stage for one of South Florida's most ambitious luxury residential developments.
The Trump Group
Jules and Eddie Trump were South African-born Jewish brothers, unrelated to Donald Trump, who founded The Trump Group and built it into one of South Florida's most respected luxury development firms. Partnering with Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, they broke ground in the early 1980s with a Mediterranean vision they called "The Florida Riviera."
Timeline
- 1924, The Williams family arrives in Miami
- 1940s-60s, Rock mining creates the peninsula
- 1969, First sale of the tract ($1.8M)
- 1980, The Trump Group acquires the land ($17.6M)
- 1985-1990, First towers: 4000, 3000, Mediterranean Village, 2800, 1000
- 1990s, 2000, 2600, 7000 towers and Club built
- 2005, Bella Mare (WCI Communities) and Villa Fiora completed
- 2013, Bellini completed by Martin Margulies, the final tower
The Buildings
- 7000 Villa Marina, 32 floors, 299 units, 1,580–7,700 sq ft, from $800K+
- 6000 Bella Mare, 30 floors, 215 units, 1,316–4,005 sq ft, from $900K+
- 4000 Island Blvd, 32 floors, 180 units, 1,235–2,884 sq ft, from $450K+
- 3000 Island Blvd, 32 floors, 181 units, 1,520–4,281 sq ft, from $500K+
- 2800 Island Blvd, 32 floors, 159 units, 1,690–4,410 sq ft, from $550K+
- 2600 Résidence du Cap, 32 floors, 172 units, 2,450–4,930 sq ft, from $700K+
- 4100 Bellini, 24 floors, 70 units, 2,235–4,955 sq ft, from $1.1M+
- 2000 Island Blvd, 32 floors, 284 units, 1,560–4,050 sq ft, from $450K+
- 1000 Island Blvd, 32 floors, 319 units, 1,140–2,055 sq ft, from $400K+
- Villa Fiora, 3 floors, 14 units, 5,044–7,271 sq ft, from $1.2M+
- Mediterranean Village, 5 floors, 105 units, 1,100–1,800 sq ft, from $350K+
Key Facts
- 84 acres of private island
- 13 residential buildings
- 4,200+ residences across the community
- First tower opened in 1985
Your Williams Island Expert
Leon Damjanovic, REALTOR®, Principal — Polaris Advisors | Compass Florida, LLC
- Career sales: $100M+ closed
- 2024: 37 transactions, $25M total volume
- Compass Miami-Dade Top Producer (2024, 2025)
- RealTrends Verified Top 14 Medium Team in Miami by Sales Volume (2025)
- Top 100 Teams in Florida (2025)
- Languages: English, Croatian, Hebrew, Serbian
- Team website: polarisadvisorsgroup.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Williams Island?
Williams Island is an exclusive, gated private island residential community in Aventura, Florida. Spanning 84 acres on the Intracoastal Waterway, it features 13 residential developments with over 4,200 luxury condos, villas, and townhomes, along with a private club, full-service marina, resort pools, spa, restaurants, and 10 tennis courts.
Where is Williams Island located?
Williams Island is located in Aventura, Florida (zip code 33160), accessed via Island Blvd. It sits between Dumbfoundling Bay, Maule Lake, and Little Maule Lake, approximately 19 miles north of Miami and 11 miles south of Fort Lauderdale. Aventura Mall is less than 1 mile away.
How many buildings are in Williams Island?
Williams Island has 13 residential buildings: nine high-rise towers (7000 Villa Marina, 6000 Bella Mare, 4100 Bellini, 4000, 3000, 2800, 2600 Residence du Cap, 2000, and 1000), three Mediterranean Village low-rise buildings at 3500-3900 Island Blvd, and Villa Fiora, an exclusive enclave of 14 luxury villas.
Who built Williams Island?
Williams Island was primarily developed by The Trump Group. Julius (Jules) and Edmond (Eddie) Trump, South African-born brothers unrelated to Donald Trump, acquired the land in 1980 for $17.6 million and developed most of the community through the 1980s and 1990s. 6000 Bella Mare was completed by WCI Communities in 2005, and Bellini was built by developer Martin Margulies in 2013.
What are the amenities at Williams Island?
Williams Island features a private club with fine dining, spa, fitness center, 10 tennis courts and pickleball courts, resort-style swimming pools, Olea poolside restaurant, a private marina accommodating vessels up to 100 feet, a waterfront promenade, 24-hour security, and concierge services.
What is the price range for condos at Williams Island?
Condo prices at Williams Island typically range from approximately $400,000 for smaller units in older towers to over $5 million for large penthouses in premium buildings like 7000 Villa Marina, 6000 Bella Mare, or Bellini. Most actively traded residences fall in the $700,000 to $2.5 million range.
Is Williams Island pet-friendly?
Yes, Williams Island is generally pet-friendly. Most buildings allow pets, though specific rules (size limits, number of pets) vary by individual building and condo association.
Is Williams Island close to the beach?
Williams Island is not directly on the ocean but Sunny Isles Beach is approximately 2 miles away (5 minutes by car). The community itself fronts the Intracoastal Waterway with stunning water views and a marina.
Is there a marina at Williams Island?
Yes. Williams Island has a full-service private marina accommodating vessels up to 160 feet with 106 wet slips, fixed and floating concrete docks, and shore power up to 100A. The marina provides direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway and Biscayne Bay.
What is the size range of residences?
Residence sizes range from approximately 1,100 sq ft in Mediterranean Village to over 7,700 sq ft for Villa Marina penthouses. Standard condo sizes vary by building, with Bellini offering 2,235 to 4,955 sq ft and Residence du Cap starting at 2,450 sq ft for every unit.
Can you rent out your condo at Williams Island?
Rental policies vary by building. Most buildings allow rentals with a minimum lease period (typically 6 months to 1 year). Short-term rentals (Airbnb-style) are not permitted in any Williams Island building.
What are the HOA fees at Williams Island?
Monthly HOA fees vary by building and unit size, typically ranging from $1,200 to $6,000 per month. Classic tower smaller units: $1,200 to $2,000/month. Premium buildings like Bellini and Villa Marina: $3,000 to $6,000/month for larger units.
Is Williams Island safe?
Williams Island is one of the safest residential communities in South Florida. The island has a single gated entrance with 24-hour staffed security, surveillance cameras throughout, and regular security patrols. Non-residents cannot enter without resident authorization.
Does Williams Island have parking?
Yes. All buildings include assigned covered parking garages. The number of spaces per unit varies by building and unit size, with larger units typically including 2 or more assigned spaces. Guest parking is available throughout the island.
What schools are near Williams Island?
Nearby schools include Aventura City of Excellence School (ACES), a highly rated public charter K-8. Don Soffer Aventura High School is the public magnet high school. Private options include Scheck Hillel Community Day School, Pine Crest School, and American Heritage Schools.
Is Williams Island worth the HOA fees?
Williams Island HOA fees ($1,200 to $6,000+/month) cover 24-hour security, building pool, fitness center, common area maintenance, cable TV, and building insurance. The separate Williams Island Club provides fine dining, spa, 10 tennis courts, resort pools, and marina access. The all-in cost often compares favorably to what you'd pay separately for equivalent services at a standalone building.
What's it actually like living on Williams Island?
Day-to-day life feels like a small private resort village. The island is self-contained with a waterfront promenade, Club gym, tennis, pools, and restaurants. Peak season (November through April) brings seasonal residents and a full social calendar. Summer is quieter. The vibe is private, low-key, and international.
Can I Airbnb my condo at Williams Island?
No. Short-term rentals including Airbnb, VRBO, and any rental under 6 months are prohibited at every Williams Island building. This is a firm community-wide rule. Most buildings allow annual leases (minimum 6 to 12 months) with board approval for tenants.
How much are closing costs at Williams Island?
Buyer closing costs typically total 2% to 4% of the purchase price. On a $1 million purchase, expect roughly $20,000 to $40,000 including title insurance, Florida documentary stamps ($0.70 per $100), recording fees, lender fees, prorated HOA, and building capital contribution fees.
Is Williams Island a good investment?
Williams Island offers permanent supply scarcity (fully built out, no new towers possible), consistent seasonal rental demand, and gross rental yields of 3.5% to 5.5% on annual leases. The island held up better than most South Florida markets during 2008. High monthly carrying costs mean this is a lifestyle-plus-appreciation play rather than a pure cash-flow investment.
What's the difference between Williams Island and Sunny Isles?
Williams Island is a private island community on the Intracoastal with a club, marina, and 13 buildings. Sunny Isles Beach is an oceanfront corridor of standalone high-rise towers on the Atlantic. Williams Island offers island seclusion and community-scale amenities. Sunny Isles offers direct beach access and a more urban environment. Williams Island is 2 miles from Sunny Isles Beach.
Do I need a car at Williams Island?
Practically, yes. Within the island you can walk to the Club, pools, marina, and tennis courts. But groceries, restaurants, schools, and most errands require leaving the island. Aventura Mall is 0.8 miles away. The community runs a courtesy shuttle. Every unit includes assigned parking.
How old are the buildings at Williams Island?
Buildings range from 1985 (4000 Island Blvd, the original first tower) to 2013 (4100 Bellini). Classic towers have been well-maintained with lobby renovations and concrete restoration. Florida now requires structural reserve studies for all condo buildings. Building age matters less than building condition.
What is the Williams Island Club membership fee?
The Club fee is separate from building HOA fees. Expect to budget an additional $200 to $500 per month for Club access and food and beverage minimums. All residents have access to the Club, which includes fine dining, spa, fitness center, 10 tennis courts, pickleball, and a waterfront terrace.
Are there any new construction condos at Williams Island?
No. Williams Island is fully built out. The last tower completed was Bellini in 2013. There is no remaining land for new construction. This permanent supply cap is one of the island's investment advantages.
How does Williams Island compare to Porto Vita?
Both are gated Intracoastal communities in Aventura with private clubs. Williams Island is larger (84 acres, 13 buildings, ~2,400 units) while Porto Vita is smaller (~400 units). Williams Island offers a full-service marina, 10 tennis courts, and a wider price range ($400K to $5M+). Both have residents-only clubs and similar waterfront settings.
What happens during hurricane season at Williams Island?
All buildings are built to Florida hurricane code with impact-resistant windows or shutters, reinforced concrete, and backup generators. The island has seawalls and drainage systems for storm surge. Williams Island's Intracoastal position (not oceanfront) provides more protection than direct ocean exposure.