Real estate billionaire Vladislav Doronin has built a hospitality empire and a legacy adored by celebrities and the ultrawealthy. At 61, he stands as the founder and chairman of OKO Group, a Miami-based real estate development firm, and the owner and CEO of Aman, a luxury hospitality brand with high-priced hotels across the globe. His journey is a testament to the power of vision and determination.
Born in Russia, he moved to Switzerland in his 20s and got his start in business as a commodities trader. He built his real estate empire in Moscow before venturing abroad with the OKO Group in 2015. He’s known for being reluctant to speak to the press at length and has been dubbed “the Russian James Bond” by architect Zaha Hadid. This concerns his affinity for suave luxury items, aloofness, and vaguely Daniel Craig-esque appearance. Another peer described him as a “ghost.”
In April, he told the Wall Street Journal that Aman Group, which includes 36 hotels and has an additional 38 projects, is worth approximately $4.5 billion. His property empire includes impressive personal residences in addition to these hotels.
In July, it was reported that Doronin was the buyer of the $135 million penthouse atop the historic Crown Building where Aman New York is located.
While the real estate tycoon and man of luxury is from Russia, he has long since cut ties with his home country. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Doronin has publicly condemned the country where he was born. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has prompted Doronin to address his ties to Russia. “I’m against war,” he told the Journal. “It doesn’t matter where.” According to a statement published in 2022, he hasn’t been to Russia in over five years and hasn’t “conducted business in Russia in many years.”
He is a spiritual man who makes wellness a hobby. Despite his relative attempts to maintain a low profile, Doronin has been very public and open with his love of wellness. Doronin practices wellness activities and has spoken about being a student of the Taiwanese martial art of qigong. Although he isn’t always open to talking to the press about his personal life, videos of his qigong practices can be found online.
Wellness is a common theme at Aman Resorts, and Doronin has said he meditates daily. In addition to this, he is also a renowned art collector, which brings him similar serenity. Doronin is the new owner of the most expensive unit in Aman, New York. In a surprising turn of events, Doronin bought his penthouse. Since 2019, he maintained that the company had an Asian buyer ready to spend $180 million on the five-floor unit.
But people familiar with the matter confidentially said that Doronin ended up closing a deal on the penthouse for $135 million, adding to his already extensive personal real estate collection, which includes a condo in Manhattan, one of the few residential homes designed by Zaha Hadid in Moscow, and a Miami mansion.
“I have an apartment, but I am missing a fireplace, and I’m missing a terrace,” he said in 2019 when he was considering buying a place in his New York project.
