Chrome Hearts Co-Founder Identified as Buyer of Iconic St. Barts Mountaintop Property
Laurie-Lynn Stark purchased the historic Les Castelets site for $37.7 million, as revealed in a new tell-all book.
Laurie-Lynn Stark, co-founder of the fashion brand Chrome Hearts, has been revealed as the buyer of an iconic mountaintop property on the island of St. Barts. The site, formerly home to the legendary Les Castelets hotel-restaurant, was sold approximately 18 months ago for $37.7 million.
The revelation comes from "Treasured Island: The Story of St. Barth…and its Barbarians, Billionaires and Beauties," a new book by author Michael Gross. According to the book, Stark acquired the three-acre property, situated on Lurin, the island's highest peak, by purchasing the company that owned the land rather than the land itself. The transaction was reportedly conducted under a series of non-disclosure agreements.
Les Castelets was a notable destination, having hosted figures such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Richard Nixon, Mikhail Baryshnikov, David Bowie, and Liza Minnelli. The property was originally built by a German shipping heir.
Property's Past Ownership and Development
Following the initial owner, the property was acquired by a Wall Street arbitrageur in the 1990s. This owner granted an option to purchase to Tuscan restaurateur Pino Luongo, known for New York establishments like Il Cantinori and Le Madri. However, Hurricane Luis, which struck in 1995, destroyed the property, leading Luongo to withdraw from the deal.
After prolonged disputes involving insurance companies and former associates, the Wall Street owner sold the damaged property for $5 million to David Bradley, the owner of The Atlantic magazine. Bradley reportedly intended to rebuild but faced opposition from neighbors. He subsequently sold the property, tripling his investment, to the owners of the Eden Rock hotel on the island, the Matthews family, and Turkish businessman Ferit Şahenk.
Stark, who is reported to own multiple properties on St. Barts, has not commented on the sale. However, Gross's book indicates that plans have been filed for the construction of three luxury villas on the mountaintop site.
Zarek Honneysett of Sibarth Real Estate is reported to have been the broker in the transaction, but has also not commented. Micheal Gross's book is being released in the UK today.