• Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner plan to invest $1.4 billion to develop Albania’s Sazan Island into a luxury resort.
• The island, a former Soviet weapons base, requires extensive cleanup and preservation efforts before development.
• The project faces mixed reactions, with government support but concerns over transparency and environmental impact.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are gearing up for what might be their most daring real estate venture yet—turning a neglected, former Soviet weapons base into an exclusive luxury island resort. The couple’s plan involves investing a whopping $1.4 billion into developing Albania’s Sazan Island, one of the Mediterranean’s last untouched gems. This bold move signals Ivanka’s growing ambition to carve out her own legacy in the real estate world, following in the footsteps of her father’s high-profile developments.

A Bold Vision for Albania’s Untouched Mediterranean Jewel

For decades, Sazan Island has sat mostly off the tourist radar. Once a top-secret Soviet military outpost, it housed chemical weapons and thousands of bunkers designed during the Cold War. Now, Ivanka, 43, and Jared, 44, see the island as ripe for transformation—hoping to turn it into a playground for the ultra-wealthy.

Over the last year, the couple quietly finalized plans to breathe new life into the 1,400-acre island. Their vision? An extraordinary, high-end resort that marries untouched natural beauty with sophisticated design. Sazan is among the last remaining undeveloped islands in the Mediterranean, making it an exceptionally rare opportunity in the luxury tourism market.

Government Green Light Fuels Controversy and Hope

January 2024 marked a major milestone when the Albanian government gave preliminary approval to their project. This came shortly after President Donald Trump’s controversial re-election claim and just days before his inauguration. According to The New York Times, the approval positioned the couple to move forward with their grand design, a development closely watched given their family’s direct ties to the White House.

Both Kushner and Albanian officials have denied any political favoritism influencing the green light. Still, skepticism remains. Critics question whether the approval was purely merit-based or if political connections played a behind-the-scenes role. An Albanian government spokesperson framed the investment as a source of national pride, saying it reflects well on Albania’s appeal to global entrepreneurs.

Locally, the buzz has been palpable. Residents already nickname the island “Ishulli i Trumpëve” or “Trump Island,” reflecting a mix of curiosity, hope, and some apprehension about the sweeping changes coming to their doorstep.

From Political Powerhouses to Luxury Hospitality

Ivanka and Jared’s real estate roots run deep. Before stepping into politics, Trump was a real estate mogul with an extensive portfolio of commercial and residential properties. Kushner’s family similarly owns substantial property holdings in New York. But this resort marks a new chapter: their first foray into luxury hospitality and tourism.

The couple faces a steep climb ahead. Beyond the glamour, they must tackle significant challenges rooted in the island’s haunting past. Sazan remains scattered with remnants of its military history—thousands of abandoned bunkers and buildings, not to mention dangerous leftover ordnance.

Italian journalist Marzio Mian visited in mid-2024 and painted a stark picture. Warning signs with skulls and crossbones still mark minefields, and venturing off the beaten path could be perilous. This legacy of danger casts a long shadow over the development.

Clearing the Past to Build the Future

Thankfully, the Albanian government began the painstaking task of clearing the island back in 2020, deploying military teams to remove explosives and ammunition. With the new resort plans approved, the government has pledged to continue working closely with Ivanka and Jared to ensure the site is safe for construction and future visitors.

Rather than erase the island’s history, the couple plans to embrace it. Several of the old military bunkers and buildings will be incorporated into the resort’s design. In a 2024 podcast, Ivanka hinted at collaborating with top architects and luxury brands to create a unique blend of history and modernity—a resort unlike any other.

A Growing Tourist Hotspot With Untapped Potential

Sazan’s shift from secretive military base to public destination is recent but promising. Since reopening parts of the island in 2017, visitors have been drawn to its pristine beaches and wild landscapes. Lonely Planet describes it as a former Cold War submarine and chemical weapons base that now hosts an Albanian-Italian military outpost focused on anti-narcotics efforts.

The island’s accessible location—ferry rides from the luxury hotspot of Vlore—adds to its allure. Ivanka and Jared will likely lean into this connection to one of Albania’s most fashionable destinations to lure wealthy travelers to their resort.

Albanian Leaders See Tourism as a Lifeline

Albanian President Edi Rama has openly expressed enthusiasm for the project, describing Sazan as a “gift” the country cannot afford to waste. “We need luxury tourism like a desert needs water,” he told The Guardian. His government is even investing in new infrastructure, including plans for an airport near Vlore, aiming to streamline access for affluent visitors, including those who would visit the new resort.

Public Concerns Cast a Shadow on the Grand Plans

Yet, not everyone is on board. Critics accuse the Albanian government of a lack of transparency regarding the negotiations with the Trump-Kushner team. Opposition politician Agron Shehaj voiced concerns to The New York Times, suggesting the deal might be politically motivated and favor Prime Minister Rama’s interests rather than the public good.

Environmental worries also swirl around the project. The island currently serves as a refuge for local wildlife, and some worry that rapid development could upset this fragile ecosystem. Arben Kola, a local tour guide, told The Independent that tourism currently helps protect nature, warning that commercial development risks spoiling the island’s delicate balance.

Kushner Promises Responsible Development

While Jared Kushner has stayed mostly quiet about recent controversies, he addressed environmental concerns in a 2024 interview with The Guardian. He acknowledged that new projects often spark fear, but assured that their design would honor and preserve the island’s natural beauty. “Once they see our plans, the care we’re putting into the environment, I believe people will be very pleased,” he said. Still, he admitted that no development could ever satisfy everyone.

Ambition Meets Reality

Despite the optimism, the timeline for breaking ground remains unclear. Preliminary government approval does not guarantee a green light; officials retain the power to withdraw it if negotiations falter or if public backlash grows.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner stand at a crossroads. Their venture offers Albania a chance to enter the luxury tourism market with a splash, but it also stirs debate about politics, transparency, and environmental stewardship. As the project moves forward, all eyes will remain fixed on Sazan Island—waiting to see if this bold gamble will turn into a shimmering resort or a cautionary tale.

The coming months and years will reveal whether “Trump Island” becomes a beacon of luxury or a battleground for competing visions of progress in this small but ambitious corner of the Mediterranean.