A 75-acre private island in Brazil that has its own James Bond-inspired lair has gone on sale for the first time in 50 years.
Pitanguy Island, located off the coast of Rio de Janerio, includes six modernist-style bungalows, nine suites and swimming pool complete with an illustrious celebrity backstory that includes Hollywood stars, presidents and royalty ranging from Tom Cruise to Jimmy Carter and Queen Farah Pahlavi of Iran.
It is being marketed by Beauchamp Estates.
Priced at £76m and located just 100 miles southwest from Rio, the island offers panoramic views over the brilliant blue waters of the Bay of Kings (Angra dos Reis)
The island has lush tropical gardens, grounds and forest, a private 400-metre airstrip, helipad area and a private marina pier capable of receiving large vessels. Other resort style amenities include three private beaches, natural freshwater springs, a natural aquarium, a tennis court, preserved forest trails and internal mobility via golf carts.
PRICED TO SELL
For more than four decades Pitanguy Island served as the private island and residence of renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr Ivo Pitanguy.
The island’s collection of bungalows and suites have modernist white render facades, sleek curved walls, spectacular full height glazed windows overlooking the ocean and gardens, and open plan interiors, the stunning contemporary architecture said to be partially inspired by the James Bond lair of Francisco Scaramanga on his private Scaramanga island from the Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974).
In the 1974 Bond movie Scaramanga, played by Christopher Lee, gives James Bond (Roger Moore) a tour of his lair on his private island, the glass walled modernist interiors bearing a striking resemblance to the properties on Pitanguy Island.
INSPIRED DESIGNS
For the cool white interiors, architect Paulo Coelho created a distinctive style for Pitanguy Island that blends Brazilian modernism with high-end execution, incorporating classic Brazilian design elements into the contemporary spaces. The result is a series of spacious open plan reception rooms, chic bedroom suites and covered outside terraces, all with either full height glazing or open-air layouts.
Once remodelled Pitanguy Island served as a private inner sanctum for Ivo and his family, visits to the island generally offered only to family, close friends and select VIP patients who required exceptional privacy and security for either their consultations or to rest after procedures.
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES KNOCK
Pitanguy Island has been listed for sale by the Pitanguy family, the first time in over 50 years that the private island has been available to purchase. Subject to approval, the current buildings could be refurbished or rebuilt within their existing footprints, and in many cases, expanded vertically upwards to create a collection of two storey island villas with a built area of up to 2,782 sq.m. (almost 30,000 sq.ft.).
In addition, subject to approvals being sought from the local Brazilian municipal authority and Brazilian Navy, planning could be submitted to create a single two storey mansion of up to 30,000 sq.ft. at the eastern end of the island (where there are currently various existing built structures). Alongside upgrades to the grounds, helipad, airstrip and private marina. The addition of a new Mediterranean style mansion could add up to £100 million ($135 million USD) to the value of the remodelled island.
To create stunning marketing visuals for Pitanguy Island showing the existing bungalows given freshly styled interiors and the potential for a new Mediterranean style single mansion the vendors and Beauchamp Estates have worked closely with Casa E Progetti, the London based super-prime design house which specializes in billionaire estates, luxury mansions and hotel resorts for brands including Intercontinental Hotel Group and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts.
Gary Hersham, founding director of Beauchamp Estates, says: “Formerly the private sanctuary of acclaimed cosmetic surgeon Dr Ivo Pitanguy Pitanguy Island has over the decades hosted global leaders and international celebrities seeking total privacy and discretion amongst outstanding natural beauty. Today this exceptional private island off the coast of Rio represents not only a unique trophy real estate asset but also offers extraordinary potential.
“The island could remain an exceptional private retreat for a discerning multi-millionaire or billionaire, or could be transformed, subject to planning, into a highly exclusive Necker Island style hospitality resort with 5-star amenities of global relevance.”
Kay Louise Smith, super-prime sales broker at Beauchamp Estates, says: “Pitanguy Island is one of the most exclusive private islands in the world, offering a James Bond inspired lair of striking modernist bungalows and suites, superb amenities and an illustrious celebrity backstory.
“The existing structures could be refurbished or extensively expanded, or planning submitted for a grand single mansion, such investment into the remodelling of the island could have a significant return of capital invested and transform it into the world’s ultimate billionaire’s private domain or a 5-star hospitality resort of exceptional international appeal. Pitanguy Island is one of the world’s most exciting and exclusive super-prime listings in 2026.”
