US Politics
London developer closes in on deal to create Florida club to rival Trump’s Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
The owner of a London private members’ club is reportedly nearing a deal for a Palm Beach venue, where he may seek to create a rival to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Robin Birley, 68, whose London clubs have hosted the likes of Prince William, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Hugh Grant, is close to securing a property for his next venture, which will be partly financed by the billionaire Reuben brothers, The Guardian reported.
Oswald’s and 5 Hertford Street, Birley’s London clubs, are known for being popular among members of Britain’s right-wing political establishment.
Birley is speaking with top interior designers to give the design a distinctly American flavour, sources told the outlet. Plans also currently include an outdoor swimming pool, making the property his most lavish club yet.
open image in gallery
Birley’s new property is intended to be more discreet in style than the president’s grand estate, and it will welcome those who own membership to Birley’s London venues. The mogul also owns Maxime’s, a brand new club on New York’s Madison Avenue.
The move comes as flocks of wealthy and right-wing figures head for Florida, in particular Palm Beach, where Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort is situated.
Since December 2025, there have been at least 20 large home sales to British buyers, according to Senada Adzem at Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
open image in gallery
She said: “I personally handle a lot of British clients who are buying in Palm Beach. I have seen an uptick in very wealthy Brits who are not just buying holiday homes, but who are relocating. A lot of them feel like wealth preservation is a good reason to have a primary residence in the area.”
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss notably travelled to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago. She described Palm Beach as the “epicentre of the counter-elite”, taking on a New York and Los Angeles-based liberal elite which is “destroying the west.”
While the UK’s far-right leader Nigel Farage also travelled to the area this month, and earlier this year attended a gala at the resort with British socialite Lady Victoria Harvey, the former girlfriend of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
