New York swagger meets private island paradise – the HTSI property hot list

Mar 25 2025

written by Cathy Hawker, Wallpaper

Beach beauty in Barbuda 

Eight years ago, Hurricane Irma ravaged Barbuda, causing the population of 2,000 to decamp to Antigua. The one-town Caribbean island is in the news again: following the establishment of Nobu Barbuda, a beachfront restaurant that opened in 2020, construction is well underway at Nobu Beach Inn, a 36-room hotel with 25 residences for sale, which is due to open next year. It’s the work of actor and Nobu franchise co-founder Robert De Niro who, along with his two partners, Australian billionaire investor James Packer and Daniel Shamoon, will have homes on the property. Shamoon is the co-owner of Luxury Hotel Partners, operators of Nobu Ibiza Bay and the Marbella Club.

The trio have pledged to put sustainability and community to the fore: the inn will be entirely off-grid with its own farm, and community dues and rental prices will include an optional surcharge to support the local population. Prices are expected to start from $12mn.