Supermodel Karolina Kurkova Sues Elite Fisher Island Club in Miami Over Property Rights Dispute

Former Victoria’s Secret supermodel Karolina Kurkova and her husband Archie Drury have filed a lawsuit against the exclusive Fisher Island Club in Miami, claiming the board of directors attempted to strip them of valuable property rights in one of America’s most luxurious communities.

The high-profile couple, who own six residential properties on the ultra-exclusive Fisher Island, allege they’ve been unfairly targeted after Drury established his own real estate brokerage on the island in 2022. According to court documents filed on February 20 in Miami-Dade County Court, the 40-year-old fashion icon and her entrepreneur husband claim the conflict escalated to the point where their club memberships were revoked in January 2024.

Million-Dollar Investments and Membership Disputes

Kurkova and Drury have invested significantly in Fisher Island real estate, with one of their properties currently listed for $6.9 million. The couple lived full-time on the island with their three children until 2023 and had purchased two memberships to the prestigious Fisher Island Club—a $250,000 membership in 2013 and a second in 2018 reportedly intended for an employee’s use.

The couple’s lawsuit alleges that tensions arose after Drury left his position at Douglas Elliman to establish a competing brokerage. They claim two Fisher Island Club board members also serve on Douglas Elliman’s board, creating what they describe as a “conflict of interest” that ultimately led to actions designed to damage Drury’s business operations on the island.

Club Access Revoked Following Disputed Incidents

According to court filings, the conflict escalated after two incidents that led to temporary suspensions of Drury’s club access. In one December 2023 incident, Drury was accused of “stealing” another member’s Range Rover—which he maintains was simply mistaking the vehicle for his own. Additional allegations included “screaming” at a marina employee and making an inappropriate gesture toward another club member.

Drury contends these accusations were part of an “orchestrated effort” to “target, damage, punish, and ultimately expel” the couple from the exclusive club, which serves as the social and recreational hub of the island community.

Rental Property Income Jeopardized

A central element of the lawsuit involves the couple’s ability to rent their properties. Kurkova and Drury claim they were actively encouraged to invest in residences with the understanding they could offer them as rental properties through the club’s “hotel pool” program. Club access was a key selling point—long-term tenants (minimum one year) could use the couple’s second membership, while short-term renters received guest passes.

The revocation of their memberships has allegedly made it “all but impossible” to rent their properties, as most of the island’s premier amenities are accessible only through club membership. The couple claims this has effectively “prohibited” them from renting under their originally agreed terms, resulting in significant income loss and reputational damage.

Fisher Island Club Denies Allegations

In response to the lawsuit, the Fisher Island Club has firmly denied all allegations, dismissing the complaint as coming from “disgruntled former members.” A club spokesperson stated they “look forward to defending each of its challenged actions in court filings as appropriate.”

The dispute highlights the high stakes involved in Fisher Island’s exclusive community, often described as a “millionaire playground” due to its wealth of high-profile residents. Accessible only by ferry or yacht, the island offers extraordinary privacy and luxury, with the Fisher Island Club at its social center.

The Exclusive Island Community

Fisher Island Club markets itself as “Miami’s most exclusive private island beach club,” featuring pristine beaches with “sugar-white sand,” the historic Vanderbilt Mansion Pool, and a marina filled with mega-yachts. The club’s amenities include attentive staff service, seaside pavilions, and the popular Sunset Bar overlooking Miami’s skyline.

The lawsuit seeks to recover what Kurkova and Drury claim amounts to millions of dollars in damages resulting from the board’s actions, which they allege have severely impacted both their property investments and business operations on the island.