Former Morgan Stanley CEO lists lavish Virgin Islands estate for $29.5M after $18M overhaul

· New York Post

Former Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack and his wife, Christy, are parting ways with their ultra-luxe beachfront estate in the British Virgin Islands, listing it for $29.5 million after pouring $18 million into a massive renovation.

The couple’s journey with the property began in 2011, when, while on a yacht in the area, the captain suggested they check out a piece of land slated for development into a high-end resort, Bloomberg reported.

Despite a miserable, rainy day, the Macks took the plunge and bought a raw plot in the emerging Oil Nut Bay community on Virgin Gorda’s northeast tip. What started as a dream, however, quickly turned into a years-long design nightmare.

In 2011, John Mack, former CEO of Morgan Stanley, and his wife, Christy, were introduced to the idea of developing land in Oil Nut Bay, a low-density 400-acre enclave in the British Virgin Islands. DOES Media
They purchased land but struggled to find an architect, and later traded it in for a spec house on the beach. DOES Media
Stephen Mack, Jenna Mack, John Mack Jr, Christy Mack, and John Mack attend the International Rescue Committee 2016 Rescue Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on November 2, 2016 in New York City. Getty Images

The couple struggled to find an architect and a design they liked. In 2015, they swapped their empty lot for a beachside spec house, but quickly realized it needed a total makeover.

“I can’t do this. We have to gut it,” Christy told the outlet, recalling telling her family after spending just a few days in the home. And gut it they did — knocking down walls, moving doors and redesigning the entire space.

The result is a sprawling 6,000-square-foot oasis with six bedrooms, a pool, a hot tub and direct access to the beach.

Unhappy with the house’s interior, Christy decided to gut and renovate it. DOES Media
Overcoming challenges like a hurricane, the renovation cost $18 million and took years to complete. DOES Media
The home occupies 6,000 square feet. DOES Media

“It was nice to have everything at your fingertips,” Christy said of the property’s prime location, which is just steps from the community’s club, tennis courts and gym.

Despite the great setting, the interior was a different story. Christy hated the original design, calling it impractical and a waste of space.

“It wasn’t to my taste,” she told Bloomberg.

To transform the house into something that could host everything from intimate family gatherings to cocktail parties, the Macks tore down everything.

The formal dining room. DOES Media
The home theater. DOES Media
The theater room seen during the day. DOES Media
The pool. DOES Media

They even had to rebuild some of their renovations after a hurricane hit the island in 2017.

Four years later, the couple finally moved in for good, spending extended periods at the house during the pandemic.

But now, they’re ready to move on.

“Our kids want to do other things and don’t want to feel obligated to go down there every winter,” Christy said.

One of six bedrooms. DOES Media
An ensuite bathroom. DOES Media
Another bedroom. DOES Media

As they look to simplify their lives, the property — complete with custom furnishings and everything from Teflon-coated wallpaper to soundproof media rooms — is up for grabs.

“We’re not trying to gouge anybody,” says Christy. “I think it’s a very fair price.”

Meanwhile, this is not the only listing in Oil Nut Bay to go up for sale. In July, former New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch listed his island home for $15.9 million.