Miami’s own rap mogul Rick Ross is a titan in the music industry — and now, he has a grand home in the works, to boot.
Last summer, the Grammy-nominated rapper from Miami Gardens made headlines when he dropped a cool $35 million to acquire a waterfront estate on Star Island.
Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, didn’t stop at that purchase price, The Post has learned.
He’s investing an additional $20 million in a gut renovation, transforming the property into a megamansion worth $100 that will rival the opulent homes of Miami’s elite, including billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Ken Griffin.
What’s in store is certainly quite luxe, including the addition of 4,000 square feet to its footprint.
“We are excited to be expanding the home towards the ocean and we are planning a Japanese rare Koi fish pond, the walls with maybe a Basquiat painting,” Ross told The Post.
The 12,400-square-foot mansion, located at 37 Star Island Drive, caught Ross’s eye last year. After getting the green light from the Star Island homeowners association in mid-July, Ross excitedly announced his acquisition on social media.
And it seems Ross’s A-list neighbors are just as thrilled about his new digs. Sean “Diddy” Combs, who resides nearby, even gifted Ross a golf cart to help him navigate the island’s exclusive confines.
But Ross isn’t just relying on his own tastes for this overhaul.
He’s enlisted the expertise of celebrity and billionaire homebuilder Manny Angelo Varas to bring his vision to life. Varas, known for his discretion with high-profile clients, is no stranger to creating lavish estates fit for the elite.
“He thinks big and wants this to be one of Miami’s greatest homes which allows us the opportunity to be innovative and creative with the design and the materials we use,” Varas told The Post. “Once complete this is going to be of the city’s most valuable and iconic homes worth $100 million.”
The renovation, captured in exclusive photos obtained by The Post, showcases the mansion stripped down to its bare bones. But soon, it will boast a full-scale recording and production studio, and other opulent features. Renderings show a glam pool perched right on the water surrounded by plush lounge seating. They also show a handsome facade accented with lots of glass to help bring sunlight into the interiors.
The property, initially listed for $37.5 million, was sold to Ross by longtime Oracle executive Yale Brown. Brown acquired the estate for $4.6 million back in 1999, making Ross’s purchase a staggering leap in value over the years.
Prior to the renovation, the mansion boasted six bedrooms, nine bathrooms and one-half bathroom. But once Ross’s vision is realized, it will be a beacon of luxury and style, with every detail meticulously curated.
It’s unclear if Ross plans to then flip the home for a profit or hang onto it as his main residence. But a rep told The Post that, so far, he only has plans to live there.
