Fisher Island has long been heralded as one of the most exclusive and wealthiest neighborhoods in the United States. With a population of just 800 and an average yearly income of $2.2 million combined with the fact that it is only accessible by boat or helicopter with strict security checkpoints, it is no wonder that there is a certain mystique of what life is like there.
In all honesty, the island runs like a full-fledged town. As a followup to our presentation of The Links Estates at Fisher Island this week, let’s have a look at what all the island has to offer.
The History of Fisher Island
In order to truly grasp how special Fisher Island is, we have to look at the amenities. Many of the original structures have now been renovated into amenity spaces for the Fisher Island Club members and their guests.
In 1905, the island was formed when the government dredged out Government Cut, so that larger ships can enter and exit the Port of Miami. It was purchased by Carl Fisher and traded to William Kissam Vanderbilt II in a legendary trade in 1927. Fisher received a yacht from Vanderbilt in exchange for the island. The boat later sank.
Vanderbilt had a magnificent home built on the island, and that home is now the Fisher Island Hotel. The hotel has been extensively renovated and remains available today for Fisher Island Club members and their guests.
Fisher Island Club Entrance
Fisher Island Club Patio Evening
Fisher Island Club Dining Room
Fisher Island Cafe
Fisher Island Club Patio
Additionally, there was an airplane hangar built for Vanderbilt. This hangar has been redesigned and is now the Fisher Island Spa Internazionale. It is here that residents and guests are able to have a full array of beauty and wellness services performed. They offer anything from salon manicures and hairstyles up to medically-designed sculpting facials. Fitness training is also available either in a group setting or one-on-one.
Fisher Island Spa Entrance
Fisher Island Wellness Center
Resort Amenities Included With Club Membership
Also attached to the Vanderbilt Clubhouse is the community pool and restaurant, as well as one of two beaches. The beach closer to the clubhouse is serviced through the restaurant with alfresco dining as well as service on the sand.
The second beach is a longer beach on the east side of the island. Both are man-made beaches with sand imported from the Bahamas.
Fisher Island Beach Club
Fisher Island Beach Club Patio
Fisher Island Beach Club Towel Service
Fisher Island Private Beach
If you are more of the sporting type, there is also a world-renowned 9-hole golf course as well as a tennis center with 17 courts.
The golf course meanders through the center of the island as the luxurious condominium buildings line the shoreline. Soon you will find The Links Estates at Fisher Island, the enclave of 12 European Villa-styled single family residences go up along the Sixth Hole.
Speaking of golf, something interesting about life on the island is that the entire space of the neighborhood is 216 acres. The quiet neighborhood-esque streets are lined with lush greenery and offer a true country club feel. Speed limits are strictly enforced, so most residents park their cars in their garages and travel through the island on golf carts. Actual cars are mostly brought out only to travel to the ferry and go into Miami or Miami Beach, which is a much shorter trip than it seems.
It is incredibly charming to see all of the personalized carts riding around. There are Rolls Royce golf carts, mini Range Rovers and even golf carts customized into replicas of classic automobiles.
Fisher Island Pro Shop
Rendering of The Links Estates at Fisher Island Residence 5 Backyard
The Links at Fisher Island Hole 5
The Links at Fisher Island Green
In the Fisher Island Racquet Club, members and guests will find a total of 17 courts. This includes each of the four court types. There are clay courts, hard courts, natural grass and artificial grass options, all with nighttime lighting and surrounded by lush hedging to ensure complete privacy. They have also added 4 pickleball courts for the members. The Racquet Club was named the Number 1 Tennis Facility of the East Coast by Tennis Magazine.
When the Miami Open is ramping up, it is not uncommon to run into Caroline Wozniacki, Eugenie Bouchard, Sofia Kenin, Gael Monfils, Feliciano Lopez, Tommy Haas, and Bob and Mike Bryan as they make last-minute preparations. Previous well-known players have included Steffi Graf, Andy Roddick, Anna Kournikova, Boris Becker, Mats Wilander, and Jim Courier. Fun fact, Andre Agassi is one of the celebrity athletes who once called Fisher Island home.
Fisher Island Tennis Center Golf Course
Fisher Island Tennis Clay Courts
Fisher Island Tennis Center
If you are the meandering, explorative type, Fisher Island also offers a private aviary with many different birds of all colors. They may just have a little conversation with you. And if you are a stargazer, there is an observatory for residents.
Fisher Island Parrots
Fisher Island Aviary
Given the fact that there is no bridge to Fisher Island, the boating amenities are very important. For starters, the island is accessed mainly by ferry. Fisher Island has four new fast ferries, where you can sit for a few minutes in your car, catch up on your texting or emailing as you are delivered to the security checkpoint. If you are not a resident, you must be placed on the guest list by a resident in order to disembark the ferry.
If you are a resident and prefer to arrive by boat, there are two marinas to choose from. The Main Marina has a depth of 8 feet and the Vanderbilt Marina has a depth of 12 feet. Leading up to both marinas, the depth is 15 feet, so yachts of up to 250 feet are able to be accommodated.
Fisher Island Marina
Fisher Island Marina Aerial
Fisher Island Megayacht Marina
Practical Life On Fisher Island
Life can’t always be resort-like. We still have to go to the grocery store, the post office, the dry cleaners, etc. At Fisher Island you do not have to travel into the city to take care of these things. The island is fully equipped with a gourmet market (think Epicure), there is a USPS Post Office dedicated for the island, you have a fire station and a police force, as well as a UM Medical Center in case something happens. There is even the Fisher Island Day School, so your children can attend classes right there up until the 8th Grade.
Fisher Island Day School Playground
Fisher Island Day School
Fisher Island Market
Becoming A Member Of The Fisher Island Club
Another fun fact that not many people realize is that you do not have to be a resident of Fisher Island in order to become a member. Anyone is welcome to apply. Most residents do join, as the condos do not include in-house amenities the way they do on Miami Beach or Mainland Miami. The exception to this is Palazzo Del Sol and Palazzo Della Luna, who have their own amenities that do not require a club membership.
Without the club membership, residents can enjoy the market and the large beach, as well as receive the perks of the island such as the police and fire services, medical services, school, post office and bank. The remainder of the services only operate via house account. No cards or cash are tendered, so the membership is needed for these services.
In order to become a member, one must apply via the club office. It is an equity membership, meaning that the $250,000 initiation fee may be sold back for a portion of the value in the event that you move or no longer need the membership. The yearly dues are roughly $30,000 per year.
If you are interested in exploring Fisher Island condominium residences or The Links Estates at Fisher Island, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
