'People are afraid': Monaco real estate billionaire Patrice Pastor is buying another historic building in a California hamlet where locals fear they are handing the town over to a person who wants to “destroy everyone.”

Monaco real estate billionaire Patrice Pastor has purchased another historic property in Carmel, sparking “fear” among locals about the California city's future.

Pastor is known for his feud with Prince Albert II of Monaco – and for the heated public dispute between the two in recent years.

Through his company Esperanza Carmel, Pastor has been buying up homes and businesses – including a $22 million home by Frank Lloyd Wright – in the small town since 2015.

He now owns over a dozen properties, according to SFGATE, with an anonymous third-generation Carmel resident telling the outlet, “People are afraid” that they will “hand over our city to a person who will do what he wants to do.”

The city – which has just 4,000 residents – was named the “destination of the moment” by Vogue and is frequented by celebrities such as Brad Pitt, who bought a $40 million home there in 2022.

Monaco real estate billionaire Patrice Pastor has bought over a dozen properties in the small town

Monaco real estate billionaire Patrice Pastor has bought over a dozen properties in the small town

Pastor reportedly purchased a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Carmel for $22 million - the only oceanfront home the architect designed

Pastor reportedly purchased a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Carmel for $22 million – the only oceanfront home the architect designed

Pastor's most recent purchase was the historic $7.5 million La Rambla building, which consists of two apartments and two commercial spaces.

The white villa-style property features a large sunny courtyard with a water feature.

In 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that Pastor purchased renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's only existing oceanfront home for $22 million.

The Carmel property was designed to look like a boat sailing through the water.

Lloyd Wright originally designed the house, also known as “the cabin on the rocks,” around 1950 for artist Della Walker.

According to his real estate company's website, Pastor is also currently undertaking three construction projects in the area.

Its largest project is the new Ulrika Plaza development, which is a 42,000 square foot (3,900 square meter) mixed-use, retail and residential space.

The website also lists the JB Pastor project, which is a 2,800 square meter mixed-use space with retail and residential space.

He is also renovating the Rocky Point Project. The website states: “Rocky Point was originally built in 1951 and is located on Highway 1 between Carmel and Big Sur. It offers one of the best views in the world.”

Rocky Point is one of the development projects Pastor is working on

Rocky Point is one of the development projects Pastor is working on

The Ulrika Plaza project is a 2,600 square meter new development with mixed use, retail and residential

The Ulrika Plaza project is a 2,600 square meter new development with mixed use, retail and residential

The JB Pastor project is a 30,000 square foot (2,800 square meter) new construction mixed-use, retail and residential project currently in the planning phase

The JB Pastor project is a 30,000 square foot (2,800 square meter) new construction mixed-use, retail and residential project currently in the planning phase

And he owns notable buildings, including the L'Auberge Carmel Hotel, the Brown-Spaulding Building and the Eastwood Building.

The concerned business owner told SFGATE that “people are scared.”

They added: “What's going to happen when he spends so much money on the building and property taxes go up and rents go up and the only people who can afford it are chain stores?”

“What will happen to our mom and pop shops?” What will happen to our local feel?

They said the small town is now divided into four camps: those who are too afraid to speak out because they are financially tied to Pastor, those who won't speak out because they are financially tied to Pastor want to, and those who speak out and finally new residents who “fortunately don’t know about it”.

But not everyone is afraid of Pastor's involvement in the city.

Real estate agent Tim Allen told SFGATE, “I think the focus was, 'Oh my God, he's buying up everything!' owns.

“We need an influx. When he restores something in an area large or small, it shows that when people work together instead of thinking that someone is right or wrong, you can move things in the right direction.”

He added: “I know Patrice, he's like family, and he loves Carmel, loves it. “And what he does is good for our community.”

The most recent property purchased by Pastor is La Rambla, a mixed residential and commercial property

The most recent property purchased by Pastor is La Rambla, a mixed residential and commercial property

It features a sun terrace that can be used for outdoor seating or weddings

It features a sun terrace that can be used for outdoor seating or weddings

The building has two apartments upstairs and two commercial spaces on the ground floor and sold for $7.5 million

The building has two apartments upstairs and two commercial spaces on the ground floor and sold for $7.5 million

Local conservation groups have also expressed support for Pastor's plans.

Karyl Hall, who helped found the Carmel Preservation Association, told local newspaper Carmel Pine Cone, “We're the luckiest people in the world to have him (pastor) coming in.”

“He takes care of Carmel and makes sure Carmel stays in character…He has the money to come in and do what no one else can do.”

Pastor is notorious for his ongoing feud with the Crown Prince of Monaco since 2021.

In 2021, an email from Prince Albert II's press adviser to a close friend of the prince was shared on an anonymous website, LesDossiersDuRocher.com, which published incriminating evidence about the royal family of Monaco.

The email said: “This octopus pastor is everywhere!” He has captivated Monaco. He's gone crazy, he knows no limits!'

Le Monde reported at the time: “This alleged “octopus” appears to be multi-billionaire Patrice Pastor, a 49-year-old who has built and rented buildings and apartments for a small fortune for decades.

“Proud and no-frills, he is a distinctive character in Monaco.” “I'm not a nice guy,” he said. “I'm free, independent and I have money, so… Everything in the 'Dossiers du Rocher' is true and everyone knows it! The truth is that I irritate her.”

Meanwhile, AirMail reported last year: “Patrice Pastor has been described as the only man in Monaco more influential than its ruler.”

It added: “He is a shrewd, outspoken developer with flashy glasses and lion hair who has long controlled Monaco's real estate market, and therefore essentially most of Monaco itself.”

Rivals described him in the article as competitive and said he wanted to “win contracts not for the money… but to destroy everyone.”

contacted Esperanza Carmel for comment.