After leaving the White House in 2021, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump took a week-long vacation along the beautiful beaches of Albania’s Adriatic coast. It wasn’t just any trip. They sailed on a yacht with friends, explored ancient Greek ruins, and even dined with Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama. But what really captured Kushner’s attention was a visit to Sazan Island—a small, rocky island that was once a military base during the Cold War. The trip made such an impression on him that he began dreaming of something big: a luxury resort.

An Island of Opportunity 

Sazan Island, abandoned for decades, is a place most people wouldn’t think of as a tourist hotspot. It’s dotted with crumbling bunkers and tunnels left behind by the Soviet Union. But Kushner saw potential—an untouched gem with stunning natural beauty, waiting to be transformed into a paradise for the ultra-wealthy.

During a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Kushner told Prime Minister Rama how mesmerized he was by Albania’s coastline, especially Sazan. He asked if he could explore the idea of investing in the island, turning it into a luxury destination. Rama, supportive of the idea, gave his blessing, and that’s when things started moving forward.

A $1 Billion Vision 

Kushner is now working on a massive $1 billion development project that would cater to the wealthiest of travelers. His plan includes building exclusive villas on Sazan Island, hidden within the hillsides, with luxury accommodations run by the ultra-high-end Aman hotel group, where rooms typically start at $1,000 a night.

But it doesn’t stop there. He’s also eyeing another piece of land on the nearby Zvërnec Peninsula, a stunning area with pristine beaches and dunes. Though it’s currently protected by environmental laws, a recent change in Albanian legislation now allows luxury hotels to be built, provided they are at least five stars. This change has raised eyebrows among opposition politicians, who believe the law was altered to accommodate Kushner’s grand project.

A Controversial Partnership 

As Kushner works closely with the Albanian government to make his dream a reality, his connection with Prime Minister Rama has drawn attention. The two men exchange WhatsApp messages and have developed a close friendship. While Rama insists that the deal has nothing to do with Kushner’s ties to his father-in-law, former President Donald Trump, some critics believe the project is politically motivated, hoping to gain favor with a potential future U.S. president.

Yet, for Kushner, this project is purely business. He sees Albania’s untouched beauty as a new frontier for high-end tourism, similar to how developers have turned other Mediterranean hotspots like Montenegro into luxury destinations. He’s not just building a resort; he’s envisioning an entire community. He and his friends plan to buy their own properties on the island, with plans for fine dining experiences, including a Carbone restaurant, to bring even more appeal to the project.

The Larger Picture: Business Beyond the Balkans 

Kushner’s Albania project is part of a larger trend of him using his high-level connections to build a global business empire. After leaving the White House, he founded Affinity Partners, a private-equity fund that has already raised $3.1 billion, mostly from investors in the Middle East. With this fund, Kushner has invested in a variety of companies, but now, real estate seems to be his newest passion.

His Albanian development is just one of several projects he’s working on in the Western Balkans. In Serbia, Kushner secured a deal to develop luxury hotels and condos on land in Belgrade—a site bombed by NATO in 1999. Part of the deal requires Kushner to build a controversial memorial to honor victims of NATO’s attacks, which has sparked criticism in both Serbia and the U.S.

A Family Affair 

Although Ivanka Trump has stepped back from her business roles, she is deeply involved in the Albania project. She’s helped with the design and planning, showing off futuristic renderings of the resort on the Lex Fridman Podcast earlier this year. Together, the couple hopes to turn Sazan Island and the Zvërnec Peninsula into the next big luxury travel destination.

While the plans are still under review by the Albanian government, Prime Minister Rama has made it clear that he supports the vision. If everything goes according to plan, Sazan could soon become a jewel of the Mediterranean, attracting the world’s wealthiest travelers to what was once a forgotten military island.

For Kushner, it’s another bold step in building his global empire, using his unique mix of political connections, business savvy, and vision for turning untapped locations into luxurious playgrounds for the rich and powerful.