British Billionaire Chris Rokos Wants $150 Million for His Florida Mansion

British billionaire Chris Rokos set a record for the affluent town of Manalapan, Fla., when he paid $40 million for a home there in 2017. Eight years later, Rokos is relisting the home for more than triple what he paid.

If it fetches its $150 million asking price, the Bali-inspired waterfront estate would be one of the priciest homes ever to sell in Manalapan, most of which is located on a barrier island just south of Palm Beach. Rokos, founder of the hedge fund Rokos Capital Management, declined to comment.

The roughly 35,000-square-foot estate is one of the largest in the area, according to listing agent Jack Elkins of William Raveis Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International. With approximately 3 acres of land, the Rokos property has frontage on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.

The structure itself dates to the 1970s, when a more modest 4,000-square-foot home was built on the site for the late Generoso Pope, Jr., the onetime owner of the National Enquirer, and his wife, philanthropist Lois Pope. Over the decades, the home has been expanded several times, Elkins said. About 10 years ago, Elkins said, it was gut renovated by then-owner Edward M. Brown, who was president and CEO of the Patrón Spirits Company at the time. 

Amenities

The eight-bedroom house has a spa wing with a massage room, gym, hair salon, rain shower and a meditation-and-yoga terrace. The pool has a waterfall, a waterslide and a hot tub. Also on the grounds are a one-bedroom guesthouse, a private dock and a high-security garage with space for eight cars.

After Rokos bought the home, he upgraded several subterranean living spaces, including a movie room, library and wine room, Elkins said. He also added solar panels, replaced the artificial turf lawns with real grass, and revamped some of the exterior woodwork.

Lower level

Elkins declined to comment on why Rokos was selling, saying only that he and his family are entering a new phase of their life. Rokos co-founded the European hedge fund Brevan Howard before launching Rokos Capital Management, which has offices in London, New York and Singapore. Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.3 billion. He splits his time between Florida and the U.K., where his large country house was once owned by the Earl of Cardigan. 

In 2022, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison purchased a Manalapan property for $173 million, setting the current record. Since then, the town has seen several high-price listings, including a planned spec mansion asking $285 million.

Elkins said he believes Manalapan real estate has always been undervalued in comparison to Palm Beach. Ellison’s purchase speaks to the strength of the market in the area, he said.

“When you have the smartest and wealthiest people in the world putting their personal money here, that’s a sign,” he said.