The Don Hankey House stands as one of the most impressive properties in Highland Beach, Florida. Located at 3715 S Ocean Boulevard, this oceanfront estate hit the market in 2025 with an asking price of $43.85 million. This makes it the most expensive listing in Highland Beach’s luxury real estate market. The property combines stunning ocean views, modern architecture, and resort-style amenities that appeal to high-net-worth individuals seeking an exclusive Florida residence, rivaling the homes of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey’s House in Montecito.
Highland Beach sits between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, creating a perfect location for luxury living. This area attracts wealthy buyers looking for oceanfront properties with privacy and beauty. The Don Hankey House stands out even in this market of luxury homes, offering features rarely found in other properties.
The estate represents both a personal residence and an investment property for billionaire Don Hankey. Known as the “King of subprime loans,” Hankey made his fortune through auto finance before purchasing this trophy home. While many wonder, “Where does Don Hankey live?” the billionaire primarily resides in Los Angeles, California, making this Highland Beach property one of his luxury vacation homes. The property’s significance extends beyond its luxury features to its connection with financial and political circles.
For anyone interested in luxury real estate, controversial financiers, or oceanfront mansions, the Don Hankey House provides a fascinating case study. This article explores everything from its architectural details to its place in the wider Highland Beach community.
The Highland Beach Property
The Highland Beach property has a short but significant history in the luxury real estate market. Built in 2017, the contemporary beachfront mansion showcases modern design principles with practical luxury features. Don Hankey purchased the estate in 2021 for $29.5 million during Florida’s post-pandemic real estate boom, when many wealthy individuals sought properties outside major cities.
In just four years, the property gained substantial value, with the 2025 listing price of $43.85 million representing nearly a 50% markup from the 2021 purchase price. This price increase reflects both improvements to the property and the growing demand for luxury homes in Palm Beach County.
The property specifications impress even the most demanding buyers. With 11,000 square feet of living space, the mansion offers ample room for both everyday living and entertaining. A 3,000 square-foot sky deck provides panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, while 120 feet of direct ocean frontage creates a private beach experience.
Built 17 feet above sea level, the property balances beach access with protection from coastal erosion risks. This elevation, higher than many neighboring properties, adds value in a region where sea level concerns affect real estate decisions.
The Highland Beach property combines exclusivity with accessibility. Located in the Boca Raton area, residents enjoy proximity to urban amenities while maintaining the privacy of a billionaire enclave. This balance makes it particularly attractive to buyers seeking both seclusion and convenience.
Features and Design
The Don Hankey House features a striking four-level contemporary design that maximizes ocean views from nearly every room. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, while maintaining privacy from neighboring properties. This residential architecture stands as an example of modern luxury design with functional living spaces.
Modernist elements throughout the home create visual interest and luxury appeal. Lava stone floors and walls provide both beauty and durability in the ocean environment. A living green wall brings natural elements indoors, creating a biophilic design feature rarely seen in residential properties. Perhaps most striking is the floating stone fireplace that serves as both a heat source and a sculptural element.
Glass walls offer unobstructed ocean views while special treatments prevent excessive heat gain. These architectural millwork details demonstrate thoughtful design choices that enhance everyday living. The overall effect creates a resort-style ambiance where residents feel perpetually on vacation.
Outdoor architectural elements complement the interior spaces. A curving concrete outdoor staircase connects the various levels of outdoor living space, creating both function and visual drama. The primary suite cantilevers over the backyard, creating architectural interest while maximizing views.
The home’s design incorporates smart home technology throughout, with motorized glass walls, advanced climate control systems, and integrated lighting. These features blend seamlessly with the architectural elements, creating a home that feels both cutting-edge and timeless.
Living Spaces
The Don Hankey House contains seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms (seven full and two half-baths), providing ample space for family and guests. Each bedroom features ocean views, ensuite bathrooms, and custom closet systems. The layout ensures privacy for all occupants while maintaining the home’s open, airy feeling.
The primary suite offers features worthy of a five-star hotel. A glass-enclosed office allows for working from home with inspirational views. The private gym contains professional-grade equipment for personal fitness. A wet bar eliminates trips to the kitchen for refreshments. Perhaps most impressive is the open-air Jacuzzi terrace that creates a private spa experience with ocean views. The oversized marble bath and spacious closets complete this owner’s retreat.
Additional indoor amenities elevate the home beyond typical luxury properties. A professional-quality screening room allows for private movie viewings. The 1,200-bottle wine wall serves both as storage and display for fine vintages. The six-car garage accommodates a luxury vehicle collection, similar to those found in the Stephen Curry House. An elevator provides convenient access to all four floors.
The home’s ambient fire features create warmth and atmosphere throughout the property. From the floating fireplace to outdoor fire elements, these details add comfort and visual interest to the space. The overall effect feels both luxurious and comfortable, avoiding the cold, museum-like quality of some high-end properties.
Every detail in the living spaces shows careful consideration of both aesthetics and function. Custom lighting highlights architectural features while creating a warm atmosphere. Sound systems, temperature controls, and security features integrate seamlessly into the design, creating luxury that serves the residents’ needs.
Dining Features
The Don Hankey House features a dual kitchen setup that serves both everyday needs and large-scale entertaining. The open-concept entertaining kitchen sits adjacent to the main living areas, allowing for social cooking and casual dining. Clean lines, minimal upper cabinets, and integrated appliances create a sleek, modern aesthetic that complements the home’s design.
The separate catering kitchen provides additional workspace for large events or staff preparation. This space includes commercial-grade appliances, extensive counter space, and storage for serving pieces and specialty equipment. The dual kitchen arrangement represents a growing trend in ultra-luxury homes where both family cooking and professional food service occur.
Top-of-the-line appliances throughout both kitchens include multiple ovens, warming drawers, wine refrigeration, and specialty cooking equipment. These professional-grade tools appeal to serious home chefs and make entertaining effortless. The kitchen spaces blend function with beauty through high-end finishes and thoughtful design.
Dining spaces range from casual breakfast areas to formal dining rooms that accommodate large gatherings. The flexible layout allows for intimate family meals or expansive dinner parties, depending on the occasion. Multiple areas for food service and dining create a flow that works for different entertainment styles.
The kitchen and dining areas connect seamlessly to outdoor spaces, allowing for al fresco dining and indoor-outdoor entertaining. This connectivity represents a hallmark of Florida luxury living, where the climate allows year-round outdoor enjoyment. The overall kitchen and dining design supports both everyday living and the social requirements of a high-profile residence.
Outdoor Living
The outdoor spaces of the Don Hankey House received a $250,000 renovation just before the 2025 listing. This investment created new outdoor living areas that maximize the oceanfront location while providing privacy and comfort. The result offers resort-quality outdoor experiences within a private residence.
The centerpiece of the outdoor renovation is the infinity-edge pool and spa. Elevated above ground level, the pool creates visual continuity with the ocean horizon while providing privacy from beach visitors. The infinity edge design creates both visual drama and the practical benefit of unobstructed views while swimming or lounging.
The double-decker patio design separates functions while maintaining a connection between spaces. The upper level, adjacent to the main living areas, contains the pool, spa, and primary outdoor dining and lounging spaces. The lower level provides direct beach access, outdoor shower facilities, and more intimate seating areas. This thoughtful division creates different outdoor experiences within one property.
Beach access features make the oceanfront location truly enjoyable. A covered loggia provides shade for outdoor relaxation regardless of weather conditions. An outdoor shower allows for an easy transition from the beach to home. Lush landscaping with palm trees and native plants creates privacy while maintaining the coastal aesthetic.
Privacy features throughout the outdoor spaces protect residents from both neighboring properties and public beach areas. Strategic plantings, elevation changes, and architectural elements create seclusion without blocking views. The result feels both open to nature and protected from prying eyes, a difficult balance in oceanfront properties.
The Billionaire Owner
Don Hankey built his wealth through subprime auto lending, earning the nickname “King of subprime auto lending” in financial circles. Starting with a single Toyota dealership, he expanded into auto financing for customers with poor credit. This business model grew into the Hankey Group empire, which now encompasses eight companies across multiple financial sectors.
Forbes estimates Hankey’s net worth at approximately $7.8 billion, placing him among America’s wealthiest individuals. His fortune stems primarily from his auto finance empire, though real estate investments and other ventures contribute to his wealth. Despite his financial success, Hankey maintains a relatively low public profile compared to other billionaires.
The Hankey Group includes several major business interests. Westlake Financial Services works with over 50,000 car dealerships nationwide to provide auto loans to buyers with bad or no credit. Knight Specialty Insurance offers various insurance products. The company also includes real estate firms, Toyota dealerships, and dealer software companies.
Hankey’s connection to President Donald Trump made headlines in 2024 when Knight Specialty Insurance provided a $175 million appeal bond in Trump’s New York civil fraud case. This bond prevented the New York Attorney General from collecting on a $464 million judgment while the appeal moved forward. The financial connection between Hankey and Trump drew attention to the billionaire’s political connections.
Legal matters and business controversies have followed Hankey’s companies. In 2017 and 2022, the Department of Justice filed complaints against Westlake Financial for allegedly violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which protects military personnel from foreclosure and repossession. The company settled both cases, paying $761,000 and $225,000, respectively.
Real Estate
Highland Beach’s real estate market in 2025 shows strong demand for luxury properties despite broader economic concerns. The median sale price reached $1.2 million in February 2025, reflecting the exclusive nature of this Palm Beach County community. Within this market, oceanfront properties command significant premiums over inland homes.
The Don Hankey House listing at $43.85 million stands well above other luxury properties in the area. The next highest-priced listing, an under-construction oceanfront mansion, asks $39.9 million. This price difference highlights the exceptional nature of the Hankey property and its unique features compared to other available estates.
If sold at or near the asking price, the Hankey House would approach Highland Beach’s record sale. In April 2022, the town recorded its first $40 million-plus transaction when a furnished beachfront home sold off-market for $45 million. This record still stands in 2025, making the Hankey listing potentially historic for the community.
Samantha Curry of Douglas Elliman represents the property, bringing extensive experience in ultra-luxury real estate to the listing. Curry previously represented Hankey when he purchased the property in 2021, giving her unique insight into the estate’s features and value. Her marketing emphasizes the property’s “resort-style living” and “multi-generational estate” qualities.
The Highland Beach community itself adds value to the property. With only 120 feet of ocean frontage available, the Hankey House offers a rare opportunity to own a significant piece of Florida coastline. The town’s location between larger cities provides both exclusivity and accessibility, qualities highly valued in the luxury market.
Future Prospects
The potential ROI from Don Hankey’s 2021 purchase price appears substantial. If the property sells near its $43.85 million asking price, it would represent approximately a 50% return on investment in just four years. This appreciation rate exceeds typical real estate growth, even in luxury markets.
The Highland Beach market forecast remains positive for ultra-luxury properties. Limited available land, particularly oceanfront parcels, creates scarcity that supports long-term value. While broader economic factors affect all real estate, properties in this exclusive enclave have historically maintained value better than most residential real estate during downturns.
Unique selling points for potential buyers include the property’s extensive renovation, architectural distinction, and prime location. The combination of modern design, resort amenities, and oceanfront setting appeals to wealthy buyers seeking both a residence and a lifestyle statement. These qualities help the property stand apart from other luxury offerings.
The home’s appeal to multigenerational wealthy families represents a key marketing angle. With seven bedrooms, multiple living areas, and extensive outdoor spaces, the property accommodates extended family gatherings while providing privacy for all occupants. This feature addresses a growing trend toward multigenerational living among ultra-high-net-worth families.
As both a primary residence and a potential investment property, the Don Hankey House offers flexibility for wealthy buyers. Its location in an established luxury community, extensive amenities, and architectural significance suggest it will maintain value regardless of broader market trends. For the right buyer, the property represents both lifestyle enhancement and financial opportunity.
Conclusion
The Don Hankey House stands as one of Highland Beach’s most impressive residential offerings. With its $43.85 million asking price, extensive amenities, and oceanfront location, the property exemplifies luxury Florida living. From its lava stone floors to its infinity-edge pool, every detail reflects thoughtful design and quality construction.
The connection to billionaire Don Hankey adds another layer of interest to the property. As the “King of subprime auto lending” and a financial figure with ties to President Trump, Hankey brings name recognition that distinguishes this listing from other luxury properties. While Don Hankey lives primarily in Los Angeles, his Highland Beach estate showcases his taste for luxury real estate investments across the country. His decision to sell after just four years of ownership creates an opportunity for a new owner to acquire a truly exceptional estate, joining the ranks of other prestigious homes like Tom Hanks’ House in Los Angeles.
For serious inquiries about this exclusive Highland Beach mansion, contact Samantha Curry at Douglas Elliman. Given the limited inventory of oceanfront properties in this price range, interested buyers should act quickly to explore this rare opportunity to own a piece of Florida’s luxury real estate market.
Comments are closed.