Inside the $42 Million Bahamas Home Designed for Former J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler
Mickey Drexler, the former CEO and chairman of J.Crew, not only has great taste in fashion but also has a keen eye for real estate. The retail legend commissioned the late French architect Thierry Despont to design several personal properties for him over the last few decades, including a rustic alpine retreat in Idaho and a sophisticated 9,000-square-foot townhouse in New York City, and in 2010, the architect completed a beachfront home in The Bahamas for Drexler and his wife Peggy. Known as Zehava and in the hands of only its second owner, the trophy estate is now being offered for a whopping $42 million, a sky-high figure that makes it the island’s most expensive single-family residential listing in The Bahamas.
Nestled off the east coast of the island of Eleuthera, Zehava occupies three and a half acres within the prestigious Narrows enclave on Harbour Island, along what locals call Billionaire’s Beach, a pristine stretch of pale pink sand. Harbour Island has long been a somewhat under-the-radar hotspot for the world’s movers and shakers, including Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, Diane von Fürstenberg and Barry Diller, David Letterman, and duty-free tycoon Robert Miller.
More from Robb Report
YouTube Star Philip DeFranco Lists His Hacienda-Style Home in L.A. for $6.5 Million
This Sprawling $22 Million Ranch in Hawaii Lets You Live Out Your Cowboy Fantasies in Paradise
“Zehava represents a rare and unparalleled opportunity,” said broker Matthew Marco of Bond Bahamas. “With Thierry Despont’s visionary touch, this home blends timeless elegance with modern luxury, offering a living experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. Properties of this caliber, crafted by a master architect and located in such a coveted destination, seldom come to market—this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of architectural history in paradise.”
Sculpted from a combination of solid poured concrete, natural Brazilian hardwood, and cream-colored travertine stone, the 9,500-square-foot structure gains lightness thanks to a butterfly-style roofline that resembles lifted wings. Internally, the design makes the most of its waterfront vantage point with soaring high ceilings, dramatic expanses of glass, and foldable slatted wood walls that open to unite the indoor living spaces to the tropical landscape.
Despite its ample size, the main residence comprises just two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a powder room. In the commodious living room, a floor-to-ceiling wall of sliding glass doors lets the ocean air sweep right in while providing direct access to a covered patio. There’s also a more intimate den, a spacious dining room alongside a serving kitchen, with a galley-style chef’s kitchen clad in warm paneling off to one side. For visiting friends and family, there’s a two-bedroom, one-bath guest cottage.
The grounds encompass broad decks that step down to palm-dotted lawns that roll down to the beach, sheltered terraces for escaping the sun, and a sunken pickleball court.
Before the Zehava mansion hit the market, the highest-priced offering in the Bahamas was a $40 million property in Old Fort Bay dubbed Aspara. The oceanfront pad, which sold in April for $39.49 million, came with its own dock, a boat lift, and a private beach.
“The real estate market in the Bahamas has evolved to rival the world’s most exclusive destinations, such as the Hamptons, Malibu, and Palm Beach,” added Marco, who also represented the Aspara deal. “The demand for luxury properties here has surged as more discerning buyers seek not only a smart investment but also a serene, breathtaking environment to call home. The Bahamas is now firmly on the map as one of the world’s premier luxury markets.”
Click here to see more photos of Zehava.
Best of Robb Report
Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
