A trust associated with the Bezos family is seeking permission from the city of Coral Gables to upgrade the dock at their Journey’s End compound. The application, submitted by Forgotten Fountain LLC, requests variances to extend a boatlift 54 feet and two inches—more than double what is currently allowed—and to set mooring piles 67 feet and four inches from the waterway banks, which is nearly three times the permitted distance. These changes are necessary because mangrove trees, which are protected, prevent placing these structures closer to shore.
The Coral Gables board of architects approved the variance requests in July. The city’s board of adjustment will review them at its upcoming meeting on Monday. The application also includes approval from the Journey’s End Homeowners Association, signed by president Louis Wolfson III.
In 2022, companies connected to the Bezos Family Foundation purchased two neighboring waterfront mansions in Coral Gables for a combined $78 million. The limited liability companies were linked to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ late mother, Jackie Bezos, and his stepfather, Mike Bezos. They paid $44 million for an 8,713-square-foot home at 9501 Journeys End Lane and $34 million for a 12,829-square-foot mansion at 9475 Journeys End Road. Together, these properties span just over four acres within the gated community.
According to public records, Jackie Bezos died in August at age 78. She and Mike previously owned a home in Miami’s Palmetto Bay until 1984.
Recent reports indicate that Mike Bezos plans a significant expansion of his family office named Aurora Borealis. In September, Valeria Alberola was hired as CEO of this office.
Jeff Bezos has continued acquiring high-value waterfront properties elsewhere in South Florida. He is building an estate on Indian Creek Island—a location that is also home to Jared and Ivanka Trump, Tom Brady, Jeff Soffer and Carl Icahn—while his net worth stands around $235 billion.
