Top 5 Things You May Not Know About Williams Island

A Quarry-Turned-Island 

Williams Island's luxury waterfront roots started with…, a giant hole in the ground.

Yes, we're not making this up — Williams Island wasn't always surrounded by water.

In the 1910s, a local rock mining company dug out what became a massive limestone quarry, not knowing they were laying the groundwork for Miami's future Riviera. 

When they packed up, nature moved in — groundwater filled the pit, forming Maule Lake and Little Maule Lake and leaving behind a chunk of land partially surrounded by water. 

It sat wild and empty for decades, covered in Australian pines and whispers of what could be, eventually dredged deeper by developers to carve marinas and give the area a full 360° of water. 

And just like that, the former quarry received a glow-up to be one of the most elite addresses in Aventura!

A "Trump" Creation – But Not THAT Trump     

Yes, Williams Island was developed by The Trump Group — but not the Trump you're thinking of. 

It was a South African family business led by brothers Eddie and Jules Trump, who stumbled upon an overgrown peninsula in the 1980s and envisioned a luxury island escape. 

In 1985, they broke ground on the first tower, setting the stage for one of Miami's most exclusive private communities. 

To sprinkle star power, they brought in an Italian film icon as their design consultant (more on her in a bit). 

While the name might raise a few brows, these Trumps weren't chasing headlines — they were channeling Portofino, and if the result is any indication, they nailed it.

A Jungle in the Middle of It All

For all its elegance, Williams Island has a wild side to it — and we mean it literally.

The 84-acre property is lush with tropical gardens, shady walking paths, and even a few waterfalls hiding between the towers. 

In fact, residents have reported spotting iguanas sunbathing on the lawns like they pay HOA fees, herons wading through shoreline shallows, and, in the colder months, manatees floating lazily through Maule Lake like gentle sea ghosts. 

Part resort, part private park, with landscaping so perfectly sculpted it feels like nature's been to finishing school, Williams Island is where luxury meets lizard sightings — and somehow, it works beautifully.

A La Loren Stamp of Approval 

Before Williams Island became the "Florida/American Riviera," it had Sophia Loren to thank for its European soul. 

No, it's not just because she bought a home on Williams Island — she served as Williams Island's design consultant, influencing everything from the architecture to its Mediterranean vibe! 

She even flew developers to coastal Italian towns to capture the real Portofino energy, starred in William Island's 1980s ad campaigns and opened her doors for a tour with Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, where the host declared it a "billion-dollar condominium community" filled with Italian sports cars and flawless styling. 

Mind you, it wasn't just for show — Sophia Loren lived on the island seasonally with her family. 

Well, if it's good enough for Sophia, it's good enough for the rest of us.

Fake Snow, Real Glam          

In 1988, Williams Island briefly transformed into a winter wonderland — sort of. 

Comedy legend Bob Hope chose the island as the set for his Jolly Christmas TV special, complete with fake snow made from shredded Styrofoam and 80-degree sunshine. 

In this TV special, Dolly Parton sang "Silver Bells" under palm trees, and Don Johnson rolled up in a 43-foot Scarab speedboat powered by twin Lamborghini engines (yes, it's true). 

Around the same time, Whitney Houston and Jimmy Johnson were among the celebrities who owned homes in Williams Island, proving that this quiet, upscale enclave has hosted more A-listers than most red carpets, minus the paparazzi.