The designer behind Zuckerberg's Miami home is from Ontario. Take a look inside the US$170M mansion he is building
Tech giant Mark Zuckerberg has bought the priciest mansion on the “Billionaire Bunker” island in Miami, which just so happened to be designed by a Toronto-area local: Ferris Rafauli. Here are the renderings of the property, which is still under construction.
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How an Ontario designer created Zuckerberg’s record-breaking Miami Mansion Tech giant Mark Zuckerberg has bought the priciest mansion on the “Billionaire Bunker” island in Miami, which just so happened to be designed by a Toronto-area local: Ferris Rafauli. Here are renderings of what the record-breaking property will look like when construction has finished. (Ferris Rafauli)
Who is Ferris Rafauli? Rafauli helmed the “creative vision” for 7 Indian Creek, which sold for a cool US$170 million, by designing the architecture, interior design and landscaping for the property. (Ferris Rafauli)
Who is Ferris Rafauli? Rafauli has spent nearly three decades designing multi-million-dollar properties for clients, including Drake’s Bridle Path mansion and a mansion on Lake Rosseau. (Ferris Rafauli)
7 Indian Creek Island Rd. The property Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, bought resides in the gated village of Indian Creek (also called the “Billionaire Bunker.”) Becoming neighbours to the likes of NFL legend Tom Brady, Jeff and Lauren Sanchez Bezos, and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. (Ferris Rafauli)
7 Indian Creek Island Rd. Based on the real estate platform, Zillow, the home will sprawl across nearly 28,000 square feet with nine bedrooms and 15 bathrooms once complete. (Ferris Rafauli)
It’s not about chasing records The home is being reported as the most expensive property ever sold in the Miami-Dade County, according to the Wall Street Journal, but also one of the priciest sold in the United States. In a statement, Rafauli said that when approached with a project like this one, he doesn’t go after “chasing records” because he is aiming to create a lifestyle for his clients. (Ferris Rafauli)
‘I’m a lifestyle creator first’ Rafauli says he aims to design environments around all of the needs of a “hyper-luxury buyer” in their daily life, from how they live, entertain, and rest, while providing them with privacy. (Ferris Rafauli)
How excellence is the starting point “I design and create properties that endure beyond market cycles or trends. If the home becomes a benchmark, it’s because every decision was made with discipline, proportion, and legacy in mind,” Rafauli said.
“When you operate at this level, excellence isn’t an upgrade, it’s the starting point. The record-setting conversation becomes the byproduct of designing without compromise.” (Ferris Rafauli)
The design decisions he makes When it comes to creating a home with lasting value, Rafauli says key elements include architectural integrity and symmetry, and a floor plan that feels intuitive rather than experimental. He adds that he thinks beyond aesthetics and considers the values of the client. (Ferris Rafauli)
Inside the design process With the interior of a home, Rafauli compared himself to that of a high-end label creating a fashion collection, prioritizing timeless tailoring while bringing in “fashionable flair.” (Ferris Rafauli)
An architectural exterior Rafauli says he opted for a modern-classic landscape, complete with structured gardens and “clean contemporary lines (that) make the property feel established and intentional from day one.” (Ferris Rafauli)
How to design a home meant for Indian Creek The clients who live in a prestigious neighbourhood like Indian Creek, Rafauli says, are impressed by intelligent designs—not excessive ones.
“Designing for this market requires restraint, precision, and discretion. Every material must justify its presence. Every line must feel intentional. There’s no room for filler,” Rafauli said. (Ferris Rafauli)
How to design a home meant for Indian Creek “I understand that hyper-wealthy clients require seamless service flow, layered security, quiet technology and spaces that transition effortlessly from intimate family living to large-scale entertaining,” Rafauli said, adding that people who move to this neighbourhood “recognize craftsmanship instantly.” (Ferris Rafauli)
