Supermodel Karolina Kurkova Sues Elite Private Members Club on Miami’s ‘Millionaire Playground’ Where She Owns 6 Properties

Victoria’s Secret model Karolina Kurkova and her real estate agent husband, Archie Drury, are suing an exclusive private club on Miami‘s Fisher Island, claiming that its board of directors tried to strip the couple of “their property interests” in the tony enclave.

The 40-year-old fashion star and her spouse own six residential units on Fisher Island—one of which is currently for sale for $6.9 million—and lived in the community full time with their three children until 2023.

In 2013, the couple purchased a $250,000 membership to the community’s members-only club, then added a second in 2018, which Business Insider reports was meant to be used by one of their employees.

However, according to the couple’s lawsuit, which was filed in Miami-Dade County Court on Feb. 20, the club’s board of directors began to turn against them after Drury left his job as a broker with Douglas Elliman to set up his own brokerage on the island in 2022.

They claim that two of the board’s directors also sit on the board of directors at Douglas Elliman, stating that this is a “conflict of interest” and alleging that these two board members used their positions to benefit the brokerage business dealings on the island.

They allege that the club board—which has denied all allegations—has “threatened and intimidated” them and their employees in a bid to strip them of their “property interests” and prevent Drury from conducting his business on Fisher Island.

It appears that the couple made the decision to file the lawsuit after they were stripped of their memberships in January following two incidents that saw Drury temporarily stripped of his access to the club amid accusations of inappropriate conduct.

One of those suspensions occurred in December 2023 after Drury was accused of “stealing” another member’s Range Rover—an incident that he insists in court documents was a simple mistake on his part after he mistook the vehicle for his own.

He was also accused of “screaming” at a marina employee and of making a crude gesture to another member.

Drury claims that all of these allegations were part of an “orchestrated effort” to “target, damage, punish, and ultimately expel” him and Kurkova from the club.

The couple claim that they were actively “encouraged” to invest in residences on the island, which they were told they would be able to rent out as part of a “hotel pool” program, which was organized through the club.

One of the key draws of the rental properties was access to the club, which Kurkova and Drury were able to provide to tenants in one of two ways: Those who leased a property for a minimum of one year were given full use of the couple’s second membership, while tenants of shorter duration were provided with guest passes.

As a result of their own memberships being revoked, Kurkova and Drury are no longer able to offer this perk to their tenants, which they say has made it all but impossible to rent out their residences, because so many of the island’s key amenities are a part of the members-only institution.

Additionally, they say that their club memberships had provided them with the opportunity to “interact socially and professionally” with prospective tenants and clients, access that they have now been denied.

The couple say that they have effectively been “prohibited from” renting out their properties under the terms that they agreed to when they purchased them, alleging that they have been “deprived of income” as a result, while also suffering damage to their reputations.

Per the lawsuit, Kurkova and Drury claim that the board members’ actions have caused them millions of dollars in damages—which they are now attempting to recoup.

In a statement to Business Insider, the Fisher Island Club said that it “denies all of the allegations in the lawsuit as baseless and is firm in the belief that the complaint is nothing more than disgruntled former members.”

“The Fisher Island Club looks forward to defending each of its challenged actions in detail in court filings as appropriate,” a spokesperson added.

The popular members-only club sits at the center of almost all social activity on the upscale barrier island, which is one of the most exclusive—and expensive—communities in the Miami area.

Described as a “millionaire playground” thanks to its regular influx of wealthy and high-profile residents, the barrier island is accessible only by ferry or yacht, ensuring the utmost safety and privacy for its lucky residents.

It boasts an array of luxuries for those fortunate enough to own property in the community, not least Fisher Island Club, which describes itself as “Miami’s most exclusive private island beach club.”

“At the Beach Club, enjoy breathtaking views, sugar-white sand, and glistening waters. Shade yourself under our airy and elegant white seaside pavilions along this scenic stretch of private, uncrowded beach,” the club’s website states.

“The Vanderbilt Mansion Pool is relaxing, and the collection of mega-yachts at the marina makes for an interesting backdrop. One touch of a button on your umbrella at the beach or pool, and our consummate staff will fetch your favorite cocktail or an ice-cold towel.

“Sunset over Biscayne Bay heralds in a special time of day where members and guests can be found gathering at the Beach Club’s outdoor Sunset Bar for pre-dinner cocktails, tropical breezes and a view of Miami’s iconic skyline.”