While many Florida homeowners are grappling with rising insurance costs and slashing home prices, billionaire Don Hankey is doing something very different — he’s listing his oceanfront mansion for a jaw-dropping $44 million.
That price tag makes it the most expensive listing in Highland Beach, a wealthy seaside town tucked between Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
Inside the Luxe Estate That’s Turning Heads in Highland Beach
The home itself is no ordinary beachfront getaway.
Built in 2017 and bought by Hankey in 2021 for $29.5 million, the 11,000-square-foot estate stretches across 120 feet of prime shoreline.
Since moving in, Hankey added his own personal touches — including a two-level patio and a sleek infinity pool that reportedly cost $250,000 to install.
The design blends modern architecture with open-air luxury.
Think lava stone floors, a living green wall, and even a floating stone fireplace — all styled to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
Not Just a Pretty View — It’s Packed With High-End Features
This home was clearly built for both comfort and show.
With seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms (seven full, two half), a private gym, wet bar, hot tub terrace, and a glass-walled office, it’s almost a resort.
There’s even a second full kitchen made specifically for catering, a home theater, and an elevator that connects all four floors.
Need room for your car collection?
The garage fits six.
“Homes of this caliber and scale rarely become available in the Highland Beach market,” said Samantha Curry, the listing agent from Douglas Elliman, in an interview with Mansion Global.
Meet the Owner: The Billionaire With a Big Footprint in Finance and Politics
Don Hankey isn’t your average mansion owner.
Often dubbed “the king of subprime auto loans,” he made his billions through the Hankey Group, a company that profits heavily from lending to high-risk car buyers.
You might remember his name from the headlines in 2024 — he funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond in his New York fraud case.
But Hankey has had legal issues of his own.
His company was twice accused by the Department of Justice of violating protections for military personnel, settling those cases in 2017 and again in 2022.
A Hot Property in a Cooling Market
While Hankey’s home is in a different league, it’s worth noting that the rest of Florida’s housing market is on a very different trajectory.
Condo owners across the state are dealing with spiking HOA fees, steep insurance premiums, and increased risk from natural disasters — a mix that’s forcing many into distressed sales.
Some sellers have had to cut their asking prices by as much as 40 percent just to get offers.
A recent study even predicted that three Florida metro areas — Tampa, Winter Haven, and Palm Beach — could see significant price crashes in 2025.
Why This Sale Stands Out
Despite the broader market turbulence, Highland Beach remains a luxury stronghold.
As of February, the median sale price there was around $1.2 million — but listings like Hankey’s show there’s still an appetite for ultra-high-end real estate.
A few other multi-million-dollar properties are also up for grabs, including a nearly $40 million mansion that’s still being built.
But none have quite the star power — or price tag — of Hankey’s listing.
What’s Next?
With a sky-high asking price and a market that’s becoming more unpredictable, all eyes are on whether Hankey’s mansion will fetch the full $44 million.
One thing’s clear: Florida’s real estate market might be shifting, but the luxury game is still alive and well — at least for now.