Luxury properties for sale on Barbados
Property hunters along the west coast in Barbados come looking for everything from a grand mansion to a small plot of land. The mix of quaint and hip and the laidback lifestyle is an endearing one and attracts people who return annually, as Richard Young from West Coast Villas and Sotheby's International Realty explains. ‘When people come every year, and sometimes two or three times a year, they properly become part of the culture. It's incredibly informal: you have people with a waterfront mansion living beside local people who might not have as much, but everybody co-exists, which is part of the charm. Of course, you can dress up and go out to The Cliff [restaurant], but the main thing is that people come here to relax and be themselves.' Barbados also remains popular, because, in today's property market, emerging destinations aren't as attractive, both from an investment and from a lifestyle viewpoint.‘People want their lifestyle today,' Mr Young continues. ‘Many don't want to wait another decade to enjoy life in an up-and-coming place. They want it now and Barbados has it-we've had it for decades.' West Coast Villas is having a good 2011: by August, it had already sold the same number of properties it sold in total last year, and it looks as if it's the top end of the market that is most active. ‘Any stock that isn't unique, and perhaps is a bit dated, is taking much longer to sell,' observes Mr Young.
One word of advice for buyers on Barbados: even along the vaunted, Platinum Coast, you should look carefully at any new projects. Even big brands such as The Four Seasons have stalled, so make sure you buy somewhere well established. Unusually, most of the agents are instructed on most of the properties for sale, so, effectively, you can choose which agent you buy from.
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One private property that came to the market this year is Villa Hugo, an exceptional new villa set on more than an acre of land. Built over one elegant storey in the exclusive Queen's Fort area, the house has 30ft ceilings, and light and airy living areas. Large east- and west-facing terraces overlook the gardens. Three spacious bedrooms are located in the main villa, which has a striking great room in its centre, and bedrooms four and five are in the charming guest cottage. This is a beautiful and very private house, with a guide price of £8.64m (US$13.5m) (www.westcoastvillas.com).
Alternatively, the Martello House has five-bedrooms and about one acre of land with unobstructed west-coast views to the Caribbean, set on the crest of Lancaster Ridge. This substantial property offers 9,634sq ft of living space and comes with a large infinity pool, sauna, wine cellar and an authentic English-style pub. The guide price is £4.8m (US$7.5m) (020-7016 3740; www.savills.co.uk/international). The majority of buyers on the west coast are looking within a development for easyto- manage, rentable turnkey houses and apartments. If you want to buy up in the hills, there are two fantastic established projects that offer top-of-the-range properties in managed environments, with optional rental schemes.
The first is Apes Hill, which was built by Sir Charles Williams and his family in conjunction with Wentworth Golf Club in Surrey. It has 470 acres of land and offers a variety of property options. Set 1,000ft above sea level, it has spectacular views, and growing numbers of people are choosing to live in this friendly community, where owners are automatically members of the country club.
The 18-hole championship golf course high up in the hills has both west-coast and east-coast views and the polo field and equestrian centre are unquestionably some of the best in the West Indies. On top of this, Apes Hill offers a spa, a tennis centre, a fitness club and oasis-like gardens, and has a partnership with the Port St Charles Yacht Club and marina. Residences (starting at nearly 1,400sq ft) are released as lots, and different designs of villas are built subsequently depending on their location; there are also resales available. For those who want an elegant luxury property already built, off-plan villas are available at the even more exclusive Moonshine Ridge, on plots further elevated above the golf course. Prices begin at £278,000 (US$436,000) at Apes Hill and £2.3m (US$3.6m) at Moonshine Ridge (020-7861 1097; www.knightfrank.co.uk).
The other residential project in the hills is Royal Westmoreland, a well-loved, 750- acre villa community and golf resort. Ownership provides access to the legendary facilities, including the championship golf course, floodlit tennis courts, large communal pool with pool-side cafe, restaurant, beach club and spa at Mullins Bay, and the well-equipped gym.
There is an enormous rage of high-quality property here. For instance, The Royal Apartments is a collection of 36 homes-available from just £265,000-all of an open-plan design to ensure easy, comfortable living. For buyers with bigger budgets, Jasmine Ridge offers 19 lots on which owners can choose from a variety of villa designs.
All come furnished and completely fitted with modern appliances, and have tropical landscaped gardens, pools and sun terraces. Plots start at £797,000 (US$1.25m) (01524 782649; www.royal-westmoreland.com). Down in Holetown, The Grove Residences is the property element of the new Limegrove lifestyle development. The residences will eventually comprise a mixture of apartments, penthouses and hillside villas: currently, eight of the latter have been built as the first phase. The properties are spacious and open plan, with accommodation over two floors. With 3,433sq ft of living space and 12ft ceilings, these three-bedroom properties are bringing the concept of modern loft living to Barbados. Access to the beach will be by a landscaped boardwalk (00 1 246 627 2537; max@limegrove.com).
Heading up the coast, Saint Peter's Bay is located on the waterfront between Holetown and Speightstown. It is a beachfront development of 57 traditionally styled three- and four-bedroom apartments, which offer at least 2,700sq ft of space, and have private terraces, sea views, spa pools and a lift to the beach. Outside are the 160ft-long swimming pool, gym, concierge and beauty salon. Owners at St Peter's Bay are automatically granted membership to the Port St Charles Yacht Club-the water taxi to and from the Yacht Club takes just a few minutes.
The St Peter's Bay team is also working on the launch of two further projects. The first is marina development Port Ferdinand by Port St Charles, offering three-bedroom apartments, the first phase of which should launch in spring 2012. The second is Palazzate: four extremely grand properties of 12,000sq ft, with large outdoor terraces, pools, and sea views. Completion is estimated for January 2013 and prices will be about £16m (US$25m). Prices at St Peter's Bay start at £1.5m (US$2.3m). Visit www.stpetersbaybarbados.com or telephone 00 1 246 419 9601.
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