The tiny island of Moskito is so remote that on a chart it appears little more than a drop in the sun-kissed Caribbean Sea.
But in recent years it has caught the eye of tech billionaires who are turning the tropical enclave into an exclusive playground for the uber-rich.
Richard Branson, who splashed out £10million for the isle in 2007, is spearheading an overhaul of the once undeveloped anchorage point by erecting luxury mansions that are being snapped up by the next generation of moguls.
The brains behind some of Silicon Valley’s most lucrative brands, such as Bebo and InfoSpace are poised to move in to their sprawling estates – which sell for at least £12million – later this year.
The tiny island of Moskito is so remote that on a chart it appears little more than a drop in the sun-kissed Caribbean Sea. But in recent years it has caught the eye of tech billionaires
The paradisal Moskito Island is situated off the coast of Virgin Gorda, the third-largest of the Caribbean British Virgin Islands
The Branson Estate: Surrounded by turquoise Caribbean waters, the area is perfect for watersports such as kitesurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling.
Moskito, which stretches for 125-acres and is located off the British Virgin Islands, has seen building works begin on 10 plots of land which will house the super-wealthy, according to the Sunday Times.
One of the most famous names who is set to join what is already been dubbed ‘the most exclusive homeowner’s association in the world’ is British social media tycoon Michael Birch.
Birch, who is worth an eye-watering £315million, already boasts an impressive property in Silicon Valley.
The 49-year-old entrepreneur sold Bebo for £670million before he and his wife Xochi founded a chain or private members clubs.
His last-known purchase was of a 17th Century Grade II listed pub in Devon which opened in January.
Richard Branson, who splashed out £10million for the isle in 2007, is spearheading an overhaul of the once undeveloped anchorage point by erecting luxury mansions that are being snapped up by the next generation of moguls
One of the most famous names who is set to join what is already been dubbed ‘the most exclusive homeowner’s association in the world’ is British social media tycoon Michael Birch (pictured with wife Xochi)
Naveen Jain, the £80million software mogul currently lives in Seattle with his wife and three children, but has described his new £36million Caribbean retreat as ‘a simple cabin
The Birches new Moskito home will neighbour the glamorous estate bought by InfoSpace founder Naveen Jain.
The £80million software mogul currently lives in Seattle with his wife and three children, but has described his new £36million Caribbean retreat as ‘a simple cabin’.
Along with Branson, Birch and Jain will be joined on Moskito by seven other undisclosed business giants who have stumped up enormous amounts of money for one of the 10 plots.
The Virgin billionaire also owns the nearby island of Necker which is regarded as one of the jewels in the company’s property portfolio.
In September 2017, Hurricane Irma battered the 74-acre enclave and tore down many of its buildings.
In aftermath when the extent of the damage became clear, Branson said: ‘I have never seen anything like this hurricane.
Along with Branson, who owns the island’s Branson estate (pictured) Birch and Jain will be joined on Moskito by seven other undisclosed business giants
In 2017, former President Barack Obama was hosted by Richard Branson and learnt to kite-surf
‘Necker and the whole area have been completely and utterly devastated.’
Branson’s move to convert Moskito into a playground for the rich mirrors the development of neighbouring Carribean island Mustique by British aristocrat Colin Tennant, the 3rd Baron Glenconner.
In 1958, he bought the Grenadines island for £45,000 and used it to entertain the upper-echelons of high society, including Princess Margaret.
In more recent times, a string of celebrities have flocked to the enclave where they have built luxury mansions.
Sir Mick Jagger and David Bowie are among the stars who have owned houses on Mustique.
Moskito is surrounded by turquoise Caribbean waters, the area is perfect for watersports such as kitesurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling.
In 2017, former President Barack Obama was hosted by Richard Branson and learnt to kitesurf.
The island is home to ring-tailed lemurs that Branson introduced from zoos in Sweden, Canada and South Africa.
The entrepreneur has also moved a number of endangered iguanas from his famous Necker Island to Moskito.
The Branson Estate: guests can take advantage of the resort’s wraparound infinity pool, hot tub, helipad, swim-up bar and nearby tennis pavilion from early 2016.