British Virgin Islands
PR OPERTY&YACHT FEB 2011
indigo house On the beach in CGB, originally an artist's retreat, continues to inspire.
BVI Billabong Kite Jam The event returns to Virgin Gorda and Anegada for its second year.
Rock haven Mike Masters uses his expertise to see his dream house realized.
Keeping a steady course with your investments is a precondition for reaching your goals, whether you rely on our advice or entrust us to manage your portfolio along the course you have plotted. VP Bank – your partner.
VP Bank Group Domiciled in Liechtenstein – is quoted on the Swiss Stock Exchange SIX in Zurich. Providing bespoke banking services in Liechtenstein +423 235 6655, Switzerland +41 44 226 2424, Luxembourg +352 404 7771, British Virgin Islands +1 284 494 1100 and Singapore +65 6305 0050.
2
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
STERLING HOUSE
FORT RECOVERY
GOVERNOR’S POINT
ENDYMION
Tortola. Beachfront splendour. Exquisitely appointed villa on Long Bay. Three floors, over 9000 sq.ft., 6 ensuite bedrooms, gourmet kitchen, infinity pool and castle tower. US$7,500,000
Private, 4-bed, 4-bath, waterfront property. Panoramic ocean view. Glass doors open to deck, inches above the Caribbean Sea. Elegant, contemporary furnishings. US$3,950,000
Tortola. Exceptional 5-bedroom family home in exclusive Mansion Hall Estate with community beach and walking distance to marina. Original home of 1st Lt. Governor of BVI. US$3,500,000
4-bed, 4.5 bath private house with a spectacular view overlooking Hodge’s Creek and the Sir Francis Drake Channel with the verdant peaks of the numerous islands in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. US$1,375,000
LEMON GRASS Tortola, Cane Garden Bay. Delightful 3-bed, 3ensuite bath house with pool near the beach on Cannon Point Estate. Beautifully landscaped gardens and pool. Excellent vacation rental. US$1,200,000
TAMARIND Tortola. Sunset views right on Apple Bay beach, world renowned for surfing and just a few steps from this property. 2-bed and 1-bath. Walking distance to restaurants, entertainment and 10 minute’s drive to West End ferry. US$950,000
HAVERS VISTA Lovingly improved and maintained by the current owners the house is on a single floor and comprises of 2 ensuite bedrooms both with air-conditioning, a large sitting room, entrance hallway and an open kitchen/living area replete with breakfast bar. US$795,000
WAVELAND Waveland is a uniquely private, 3-bed, 2-bath luxury villa with a spectacular elevated position and a magnificent view. A covered lanai with full wet bar connects the living area, two guest bedrooms and master bedroom with unique his and her bathroom suites. US$750,000
Spotlight on Rental Property Blue skies, warm seas and salt spray romances the traveler’s soul. The warm trade winds transport not only the sailors and their yachts, but also their fantasies. The safe waters, the quiet anchorages and the world-renowned sailing community means that many sailors choose to make their land-base ashore in the British Virgin Islands. Due to the world economy, prices have come down, and now is a good time to purchase that island retreat you have always dreamed of. There is more on the market now than ever before, and most of the properties have high quality finishes and very attractive locations. The vacation season seems to get longer every year and now there are renters wanting to escape the crowds all year round. Many have sampled island life while on charter and some while on a cruise ship, but all have experienced the same relaxed, gentle way of life offered in the islands; a place to spend quality time with loved ones and a place to unwind. A home away from home may also provide several tax benefits, at least for those in the USA. Now is the time to invest while prices are reasonable and sellers are more flexible.
THE SALES TEAM Managing Director/Broker Maritha Keil t: 284.494.5700 c: 284.340.5555 maritha.keil@sothebysrealty.com Sales & Marketing Associate Dietmar Lichota t: 284.494.5700 c: 284.340.5559 dietmar.lichota@sothebysrealty.com Sales Support Damara Penn 284.494.5700 damara.penn@sothebysrealty.com Trish Dobson 284494.5700 trish.dobson@sothebysrealty.com
British Virgin Islands Sotheby’s International Realty bvisir.com | t: 284.494.5700 | c: 284.340.5555/5559 | Road Town, Tortola VG1110 ©MMVII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Farm of Jas de Bouffan, used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty is a registered trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated
Tingalayo . . . Serenity Among the Clouds!
Dougall & Associates
Real Estate BVI
Northwest shore of Tortola - Long Bay Resort
Exceptionally finished two bedroom home with pool. Ready to entertain you and your guests.
Spectacular 6 Bedroom home located on almost 4 acres of pristine land overlooking outer islands and mountains in West End, Tortola.
$3,750,000 USD
Near Smugglers Cove - West End Tortola
Exquisite 3 Bedroom private home with 1 Bedroom apartment attached below on 1.34 acres of exclusive land.
US $1,500,000
(284) 495-3003 l info@realestatebvi.net 4
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
US $2,495,000
Prime selected land lots will be becoming available at tranquil Nail Bay, Virgin Gorda with concreted roads and full utilities in place!
We add the professional touch to your BVI real estate needs. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or rent a home, purchase land to build a tropical dream home of your own, or become an investor in a growing and vibrant real estate market, we are here to assist you at every step in the process.
Bonnie Dougall Managing Partner
Havers Hill just west of Nanny Cay
3 Bedroom Home with pool located on 0.80 acres of prime land, private road access.
North shore of Tortola - Brewer’s Bay
Rare beachfront land! One acre on the beach, with building permissions already in place.
US $850,000
US $395,000
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
5
Cover Photo: Gretta Krusie at BVI Kite Jam Erin Calmes/Ketafilms.com
British Virgin Islands
PR OPERTY&YACHT
Features
Fe bru ary 20 11
10
10 Jammin'
15
By Owen Waters After a phenomenally successful first year, the Billabong BVI Kite Jam returns to the BVI and promises even more fun and amazing kiting.
38 Real Estate and Asset Allocation By Adam Stauffer What percentage of an investment portfolio should be composed of real estate?
www.bvipy.com British Virgin Islands Property & Yacht is published eleven times a year (February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December/January) by aLookingGlass Ltd., Road Reef Plaza 6 and 7, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110. Copyright 2010 by aLookingGlass Ltd. All pieces reproduced in this issue are under prior copyright by the creators or by the contractual arrangments with their clients.
15 Indigo House
By Traci O'Dea A bungalow and former artist's studio directly on the beach in Cane Garden Bay still manages to seem like a private retreat.
41 Hurricane Waters Calm a Coral Crisis
By Dan O'Connor The BVI barely avoided a major coral bleaching event this year, thanks to our busy hurricane season.
Nothing shown may be reproduced in any form without obtaining the permission of the creators and any other person or company who may have copyright ownership. The publisher of BVI Property & Yacht, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, aLookingGlass gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in its publications.
Direct all inquiries to: Email: info@alookingglass.com Phone: 284-494-7788 Fax: 284-494-8777 Mail: aLookingGlass PO Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110
20
20 Rock Haven
By Traci O'Dea The man of steel, Mike Masters, branches out to design and build his dream home in Cooten Bay.
43 Ratted Out
By David Blacklock Our writer battles a resourceful rodent.
Editorial and Business Office: aLookingGlass Ltd., Road Reef Plaza 6 and 7, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Web: www.alookingglass.com Email: info@alookingglass.com Phone: 284-494-7788 Fax: 284-494-8777 Mail to: aLookingGlass PO Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110
Columns Publication Design aLookingGlass
Chief Editor Traci O'Dea
26
30
32
Editor at Large
The View at Brandywine Bay
Spicing Up Happy Hour
Valentine's Day Gifts through History
David Blacklock
By Richard Finnegan A new residential and commercial building overlooks the beach at Brandywine Bay.
By Susie Younkle By preparing snacks in advance, the boat chef can enjoy those sunsets, too.
By Traci O'Dea Learn about Valentine's Day and get some non-traditional gift ideas.
Writers Traci O'Dea Owen Waters David Blacklock
Art Director Nick Cunha
34
44
47
Being an Architect in the BVI is Never Boring
Decorating the Dream Vacation Property
Is Your Pool Safe Enough for Guests?
By Steve Fox In fact, the challenges and freedom in BVI building can make it an architect's ideal.
By Dawn Southgate Our interior design expert recommends fashioning a "home away from home" for rental guests.
By Erick Oeseburg Homeowners should have all their ducks in a row before renting out a home with a pool.
Designer Akiya Brewley
Web Developer aLookingGlass
Distribution Coordinator Francoise Frank
Articles 24
28
36
Advertising Director
RBVIYC's Raft Splashes Down
Hull Paint that Performs and Protects
From Beef Island to St Maarten to Dominica...
Owen Waters
By David Blacklock When Nanny Cay is too windy, the youth sailors launch from a raft in Sea Cow's Bay.
By Traci O'Dea ePaint is an earth-friendly alternative to harmful copperbased hull paints.
Extras
By Traci O'Dea By 1pm on a random Wednesday, BVIPY travelled to Dominica and back again.
Advertising Sales Owen Waters
Printing aLookingGlass
56 Directory
Distribution
57 Listings Map & Classifieds
C & B Enterprises
General Manager Colin Rathbun
Editors' Letter
Tra c i O ' D e a
It's the end of an era. F e b u a r y
2 0 1 1
First of all, I have moved. I’ve swapped my much-mentioned studio apartment in Cane Garden Bay for a hillside bungalow in Little Bay with stunning views. But, before I packed up the last few boxes at my studio, I had the pleasure of visiting Indigo House—a property that I’ve passed hundreds of times on my local beach. The house was better than I’d expected—full of Caribbean charm and a noteworthy past that further supports my claim that the BVI is any artist’s perfect locale. Cane Garden Bay definitely offered me plenty of material, and I hope Little Bay is up to the challenge of being my new seaside muse. It’s also the end of an era as I will be changing roles at aLookingGlass and handing over the reins of BVI Property and Yacht to Dan O’Connor. Dan brings his experience of writing and photographing for The BVI Beacon to aLookingGlass, and I’m excited to see how the magazine evolves under his leadership. In my new role, I will be expanding the publishing side of aLookingGlass—focusing on book production and publication. Dan’s first assignment was to interview Shannon Gore from the Department of Conservation & Fisheries about the coral bleaching event that the BVI narrowly avoided this year. Dan will continue to cultivate relationships with our friends in the community as he and I share an interest in the
8
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
individuals who make the BVI what it is. While I visited Mike Masters’ new property in Cooten Bay, I had a chance to interview him about his vision and expertise as well as his history in the BVI. Over the past thirty years, Mike has seen a lot of changes, and he wants to embrace the historical aspects of BVI architecture in the home that he’s building. My last assignment as editor of the magazine was an impromptu plane voyage to St Maarten and Dominica one morning with the guys from BVI Airways. I was able to relax and imbibe the joy of flying without worrying about my destination. After the trip, I decided I might even want to take flying lessons. Another kind of flying will be going on in Anegada and the North Sound this month as the Billabong BVI Kite Jam returns for the second year. Kite Jammers cruise around the BVI on Sunsail catamarans in between races, events, parties and down-wind sessions. Keep an eye out for famous pros and amateurs, including Sir Richard Branson and our own Owen Waters. I’m looking forward to the new year, new challenges, and a new voice for BVIPY. I’ll probably still turn up in these pages every now and then, straight to you from the shores of Little Bay.
Keep Reading!
The Seduction of Intimacy and Exclusivity at Mooney Bay Estate. Your Private Playground Awaits. 22 pristine acres surround the distinctive estate house and slope gently to your own secluded bay. Mooney Bay Estate offers nature and luxury in perfect harmony. Now taking reservations for Fall 2010.
Call 1+888.624.3213 or info@mooneybaybvi.com
Mooney Bay Estate, PO Box 127, North Sound, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, VG1150 www.mooneybaybvi.com
Jammin’ By Owen Waters
10
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
In 2010,
the BVI added another destination event to its sports arena.
Long the dream of its founders Charlie Smith, Scotty Wilson, Abby O’Neal and Sir Richard Branson, the BVI Kite Jam inaugural event attracted pro and amateur riders from all over the world to cruise, schmooze and ride the waters surrounding the British Virgin Islands. With the week focused on having fun, sharing knowledge and making the most of the available winds, the event was a global success and attracted the endorsement of Billabong, so that now in 2011, the event is named the Billabong BVI Kite Jam. There is a lot to be expected from this year’s event, and there is a lot planned. The event organizers have made every effort to make each part of the tour unique, with every aspect of adventure and freedom that the sport dictates. Unlike other wind-related sports, kitesurfing has light and compact equipment—everything can fit into a bag or two. Add wind, flat water or waves, and attach a rider, and the magic begins to happen. Imagine a wakeboard or snowboard on your feet and a parachute boosting you up with your board being the drag. Kiting deals with wind on a global sphere, not at water level. The wind “up there” in power zones propels and boosts the rider along at high speeds with very little sound at all. With a giant power feathering at the rider’s fingertips and propulsion from a small wake, the rider boosts into airtime and a number of transitions at accelerating heights and then glides back to water level and continues. In the Caribbean Sea, not a surf zone or lake, there are no limits. There is a slight celebrity status of Kite Jam. Sir Richard Branson is one of the founders alongside his long-term Necker Island employees Scotty and Charlie, and the BVI Premier’s daughter, Abby O’Neal. All four will be kiting alongside world tour riders. The list has the world’s best from all shores, including the who’s who of current global kiteboarding. From the men’s division, kite jammers include Davey Blane, Chris Burke, Tom Court, Jeremy Lund, Jon Modica, Andre Phillip, Jason Slezak and Madison Van Heurk. On the women’s side, professional kitejammers are Kristin Boese, Tura Jensen, Gretta Krusie and Susie Mai. These are the stars from the world of kiteboarding—in your magazines, videos and pro shoots, and they’ll be here in the BVI jamming together. It’s not often you get to see all that
Above: A Kite Jammer catches some air. Photo by Paul Hubbard/Rainbow Visions Photography. Opposite top: Some of the founding members of Kite Jam enjoy a relaxing moment. Photo by Erin Calmes/ Ketafilms.com Opposite bottom: BVI kiteboarder Michael Hirst glides on the water.Photo by Sayula Hirst.
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
11
Left: Photo by Erin Calmes/ Ketafilms.com Below: Kites in the air. Photo by Paul Hubbard/Rainbow Visions Photography.
talent together, and it’s not often you get to place yourself alongside that talent. The locations have definitely been researched. With sunburnt skin and wild eyes, Charlie and Scotty have sought, found and practiced each course. Charlie said, “We score more than 15 days per month on the water in the North Sound and Anegada and frequently ride both flat water and world-class waves in the same day. The opportunity to kite these kind of conditions in balmy, crystal clear waters, combined with the chance to ride alongside he world's top riders and visit new kite spots every day make Kite Jam the most fun you can have in a week.” Kite Jam is as much about kiteboarding and a celebration of the sport as it is a workshop in the BVI. It is unlikely that winds will gust over 30, they are more likely to average around the 12-15 knot range, meaning that conditions aren't brutal, and, if anything, are also great for the learner or intermediate. Each day, top pros share tips from their own experiences, teaching and coaching methods and the latest equipment and, of course, transitions, a lot of the footage is then posted online for the
12
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
world to share. The Kite Jammers put no preference over any style at all, embracing all forms of wake tricks, racing, slalom, wave or long down winders. Therefore, there appears to be no strict competition format or pressure. Peers decide the overall winner, something I haven’t seen since the old days of touring where you didn’t really compete against a nation, a brand team or a discipline—it simply becomes about the conditions, the camaraderie and pushing your limits. “After last years event,” Charlie said, “the feedback we had from both our pro and amateur riders was that the beauty of the event is that regardless of the conditions, we have the local knowledge to make the most of every day and night, whether it's chilling on Necker Island, hitting 45-foot rails off Saba Rock or two and a half hour down winders on Anegada. And then there's the parties.” For the future, Charlie listed, “custom-made obstacles for the wakestyle enthusiasts, the same epic down winders on both Anegada and Virgin Gorda with everything from flat water, rails, waves and pure freeriding…We intend to show the world how much of a diverse sport kiteboarding is and how all disciplines can be enjoyed in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.” PY For more information, visit www. bvikitejam.com.
Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011 Schedule
•K&J Party at the Billabong BVI Kite Jam Village at Anegada Reef Hotel Thursday 3rd March •Yacht race to Bitter End Yacht Club
Saturday 26th February •Registration
•Lunch at Bitter End Yacht Club
•Kite Jam beach party at Long Bay beach on Beef Island with professional demos and Kids And The Sea (KATS) pro clinics
• BVI Party at Leverick Bay
•Sunsail Billabong BVI Kite Jam welcome party at Sunsail base
•Lunch
Sunday 27th February •Flotilla departs for North Sound •Welcome to North Sound event and lunch at Saba Rock •Free kiting session and race brief for Round Necker Island Challenge
•Afternoon event at Eustatia Sound
Friday 4th March •Kiting event at Eustatia Island
•Billabong BVI Kite Jam Awards Ceremony at Bitter End Yacht Club Saturday 5 th March •Flotilla Departs for Sunsail Base •Check out
need to ship?
Green has you covered . . . and size doesn’t matter Parcels and Mail
Get a Miami shipping address with TortolaExpress’ Parcels and Mail, and start shopping instantly. You can finally order everything you ever wanted online and now enjoy nonvolumetric weight charges! Cargo Service
•Dinner & party Monday 28th February •Round Necker Island Challenge •Lunch •Catamaran race to Anegada •Sunset kiting •Dinner •JTV Tight & Bright Party at the Billabong BVI Kite Jam Village at Anegada Reef Hotel Tuesday 1st March •Anegada kiteboarding—location TBD based on wind conditions •Lunch •Pro clinics •Dinner •Finlandia Tribal & Invent the Official Kite Jam Cocktail Party at the Billabong BVI Kite Jam Village at Anegada Reef Hotel Wednesday 2nd March •Anegada Kiteboarding—location TBD based on wind conditions •Lunch •Pro clinics •Dinner
Confirmed Pros and Legends of the Sport 1. Greg Norman Jr: Cabrinha 2. Kristin Boese: BEST, 9 Times World Champion and 2010 Rolex ISAF Female World Sailor of the Year Nominee (first kiteboarder ever) 3. Brandon Scheid: Liquid Force 4. Sam Light: Naish 5. Kris Kinn: BEST 6. Stephen Schank: Founder Agression Kiteboards 7. Pete Cabrinha: Founder of Cabrinha 8. Laurel Eastman: BEST and Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding 9. Davey Blair: REBOOTIZER 10. Susi Mai: Cabrinha of the Dominican Republic 11. Andre Philip: Cabrinha of Antigua 12. Tom Court: North 13. Chris Burke: Liquid Force 14. Youri Zoon: Slingshot, Currently No 3 on PRKA World Tour and Dutch Champion 15. Juan Carlos Morales of Puerto Rico
With our extensive network, you can send your freight from anywhere in the USA to our warehouse. Just leave all logistics to us. All you have to do is decide what you want to get and where you want it from. As soon as you have purchased your bulk shipment, email us an order confirmation, and we'll tell you where to send it. Once it arrives we can have it delivered to your door here in the BVI.
Sign up online at
www.aeropost.com/eis T: 284 494 0707 info@tortolaexpress.com www.tortolaexpress.com www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
13
For A Less Taxing Life, Own a Home in The BVI.
SEA’S SONG VILLA F R E N C H M A N S PA R A D I S E LO N G B AY F R E N C H M A N S C AY $2,950,000 $3,000,000 The view, privacy, quality & When you dreamt of a waterfinish are all breathtaking. front home, it probably looked
RAKU C R O O K B AY $8,8000,000 19 room custom beachfront home. No other BVI home finished to this standard.
INDIGO LANDING LAVIDA F R E N C H M A N S C AY N A I L B AY $5,200,000 $5,500,000 Brand new contemporary Waterfront Frenchmans Cay, 5 bedroom home on the dock & mooring, luxurious & beach with large infinity pool secluded. Exquisitely finished.
T H E R E E F S AT B A L L A S T B AY $1,550,000 Brand new architect’s home marries contemporary luxury with Caribbean comfort.
CASA VERDE A LTA M I R A HARBOUR HOUSE HODGE’S CREEK L E V E R I C K B AY L E V E R I C K B AY $875,000 $1,200,000 $1,400,000 4 bedrooms with extra 1 bed Best view of North Sound 3 bed family cottage on over an acre apartment. Fantastic North Sound from top of Leverick Bay. of mature tropical gardens above Views. Walk to marina and beach. 3/4 bedrooms. Great value Hodges Creek Marina. What a view!
New 3 bed, walk to dock. like this. 3 bedrooms, 2 beaches.
C A N N O N P O I N T E S TAT E C A N E G A R D E N B AY $750,000 Last available 2 bed cottage in heavenly, private setting. Manageable vacation home.
Waterfront Homes with Docks Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola
from $850k
Nanny Cay is Tortola’s flagship marina with berths for 180 yachts, full service boatyard, pool, restaurants, shops, beach and more. Nestled within this thriving community marina will be 32 waterfront homes with docks. Finished to the highest standards, these 2 & 3 bedroom homes are available turn key, fully furnished if required. Guaranteed marina berths available for larger boats. The most competitive, optional rental program in the BVI.
Best selling homes in the BVI 2009 and 2010! Only a handful available. Please call 495 3000 or email info@coldwellbankerbvi.com to check on availability and arrange a tour.
BLUNDER BAY, NORTH SOUND - 10 Waterfront Lots with docks available now $1m/acre Call 340 3000
To view these & many other listings call (284) 495 3000 or visit www.coldwellbankerbvi.com. Or call in to our offices at Nanny Cay Marina (Tortola) or Spanish Town (Virgin Gorda).
14
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
Indigo House
On the Beach in Cane Garden Bay by Traci O'Dea www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
15
Previous Page: The unassuming entrance. Above: The colourful Caribbean interior. Opposite top: The almond trees and other vegetation provide privacy. Opposite bottom: The view from the bathroom includes the beach, the sea and Jost Van Dyke. All photos by YachtShotsBVI.com
16
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
In the November issue of Property Guide, I reviewed a home in my neighbourhood of Cane Garden Bay that I’d never seen before because it was tucked away on Cannon Point. For this month’s feature, though, I had the opportunity to spend some time exploring a house that I’ve passed almost every day on my morning walk or swim in Cane Garden Bay. Indigo House, located Cane Garden Bay beach, has a history that begins with James Havard—an American artist who is one of the pioneers of the Abstract Illusionism movement. In the book James Havard, Julie Sasse refers to the artist escaping his cold New York studio “by paying visits to the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands...eventually purchasing his own piece of land and building a home there.” The book then mentions paintings’ titles from that period which “allude to the islands, such as BVI (1973) and Tortola (1973).” The artist had the house built in 1977 by BVI architect Alan Smith. Smith Arneborg Architects are known in the BVI for incorporating the Caribbean vernacular into their contemporary projects. Their most recognizable commercial project is probably Soper’s Hole Whar f—where white wooden balconies complement bright Caribbean exteriors. With its cobalt blue shutters and doors and red tin roof, Indigo House fits right in with the firm’s aesthetic. I spoke with architect Alan Smith who said that his firm tries “to reflect the Caribbean rather than Tuscany or sunny Spain.” He pointed out Indigo House’s walled courtyard area, something he cited as a signature of Caribbean urban living which allows guests to “retire and escape the fact that it’s in a very public place.” He added that the internal floor being two feet
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
With its cobalt blue shutters and doors and red tin roof, Indigo House fits right in with the firm's aesthetic.
above road level and even higher above beach level ensured additional privacy. “We were aware that we were right on the high-water mark, so we built a very, very solid wall that goes down very deep,” he said. The beach wall and foundations have lasted thirty-three years, so the structure is definitely sturdy. Just over the beach wall, the Saltillo-tiled patio wraps around the house. A wooden deck extends off the patio, over the sand, offering the perfect spot for watching the famous Cane Garden Bay sunsets. Two sets of double doors open to the living room—a bright, colourful space decorated in the kaleidoscopic Caribbean style. A spiral staircase leads up to the second floor which houses the master bedroom and bathroom. Both rooms host oversized windows that open to the sea. Back downstairs, a fully equipped kitchen features custom-built, solid wood cabinets and tiled countertops. Off the kitchen and living room, the courtyard provides a large dining and entertaining area amongst upside-down hibiscus, young almond trees and palms. The spacious second bedroom and bathroom can be accessed from the courtyard. A third room, which originally served as James Havard’s studio but could be used as an office, storage or third bedroom, sits farthest from the beach, with access off the gallery entrance that leads to the stone drive. Aside from the structure itself, Indigo House boasts one thing that most other BVI properties cannot—it sits directly on the beach at Cane Garden Bay. Not “steps to the beach” or “a short walk to the beach” or “beach
access.” You couldn’t get any closer to the sea unless you were on a boat. As I sat on the wooden deck, beneath the shade of the almond trees, listening to the sound of the ankle-high waves, a translucent crab peeked out of its hole, ventured a few feet on the sand then retreated to its subterranean home. Dozens of pelicans floated on the water while others dove to catch their prey. Between them, tarpons flashed their triangular dorsal fins. The aforementioned almond trees provide shade and privacy, along with one of the tallest coconut palm trees in Cane Garden Bay, a stand of sandbox trees and a purple bougainvillea vine, so even though the house is on the beach, it remains cool and comfortable. Current owner Valerie Rhymer credits the shady spaces to her husband Kareem’s preference of letting plants and trees grow wild. In addition to its ideal location on the beach, there’s the Cane Garden Bay factor. The seaside village is like no other on the Islands. Yacht Shots BVI photographer Brynley Rathbun was late to the shoot because she had to “stop and give a hug” to a visiting friend she hadn’t seen in years. The Dove’s chef Travis Phillips strolled along the beach while we were shooting the sunset. On the way
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
17
Right:The sunset from the beachfront Indigo House. Photo by YachtShotsBVI.com
home, I paused to say hi to two ladies who were walking the Bay and shook hands with one of my neighbours hanging out by Big Banana Paradise Club. Indigo House is a home on the beach of Cane Garden Bay that initially offered inspiration to artist James Havard and continues to be inspiring. Guests of Indigo House can sip cocktails on the sunny sand or in the shade of the many flowering trees or at any of the nearby bars and restaurants. They can relax or socialize in the courtyard while listening to the percussion of the waves. PY For more information, contact Val Rhymer at (284) 495-9649 or visit www. indigohouse.org.
18
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
WE ALREADY KNOW YOUR DREAM HOME’S ADDRESS.
As you consider a new tropical lifestyle in the British Virgin Islands, our rental or sales associates will assist you in searching for the perfect home.
Leo House, 65 Main Street Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands, VG1110 Tel: (284)494.2500 :: Fax(284)494.6969 :: Skype: truderealestatebvi :: E-mail: monica@trudebvi.com :: Web: www.trudebvi.com
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
19
Haven
Rock
by Traci O'Dea
Mike Masters, known in the BVI as the go-to guy for stainless steel banisters, biminis and barbecues, is in the process of building a one-of-a-kind home on Tortola. Above: The view to the east, including Guana Island and Little Bay. Opposite: Left: The view to the north through the columns in Cooten Bay. All photos by YachtShotsBVI.com.
20
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
I visited the Mediterranean-style villa, still under construction in Cooten Bay, and chatted with Mike about the project. Mike chose Cooten Bay as the locale for the villa, in part, because of the view which encompasses Cooten Bay, Josiah’s Bay, Little Bay and Guana Island. “It faces east, so you’ve got morning sunshine, and in the afternoon, it really cools down,” Mike said. He also chose Cooten Bay because it’s a gated community of mostly one-acre lots with a concrete road and all underground utilities, so no unsightly wires and poles tarnish the panoramas. Another attractive feature of Cooten Bay is the boulder-strewn hillside. “I’m calling the house Rock Haven because there are so many beautiful rocks,” Mike said. During our visit, the alwaysdedicated Brynley Rathbun from Yacht Shots BVI climbed up between the boulders to take shots of the property and its surrounding landscape. While the granite boulders that will be incorporated into the landscaping reflect Mike’s appreciation of the natural beauty of the island, the columns—the predominant architectural feature of the house—nod to Mike’s affinity for historical structures. This affinity is partially
influenced by the Pasea Hall project—a 100year old house that Mike restored above Road Town. “When I came here thirty years ago,” Mike said, “that was the only house 200 feet above Road Town. In all the old photographs, you can see it. It’s the old Treasure Isle Plantation home. There’s a lot of history there, and that’s where the columns come from. I’m trying to put some character back into building here.” Mike designed the columns and had the wooden die and fibreglass molds locally made by Jones Woodwork and Lester Fahie, respectively. “We poured them on site, one by one,” he said. I counted 20 columns so far, but Mike assured me there were more to come. The columns on the main level—with archways between them—serve to frame the view while the main purpose of the lower-level columns is to hide the practical parts of the house—storage and cisterns. Mike envisioned a home that is open plan in the extreme. “I gave the architect [Brian Edmund from SA Architects] a hard time,” he said, “because my vision was no doors.” Mike described his dislike for closed off interiors and added, “Instead,” he said, “I use walls to hide any intimacy,” with a few practical exceptions.
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
21
Below: The floor plan of Mike Masters' dream home.
Upstairs, the main house boasts three bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and each shower overlooks the sea and sky. Mike took some advice from BVI realty guru Maritha Keil of Sotheby’s International Realty. “She had a large input on sizes and what makes a good house—balcony sizes, for example. She insisted that I put large balconies so you could fit a chaise longue on each one,” Mike said. Another friend of Mike’s, an executive chef in the States, helped him design the kitchen and al fresco cooking area which will include a barbecue and pizza oven. “I like to cook, so I designed it so that when you’re in the kitchen you can still talk to people in the living room, and you still get the view. In fact,” he said, “there’s no living area that’s closed off from the view.” Mike and his wife selected Wolf and Miele appliances for the state-of-the-art kitchen. Beyond the kitchen of the main house are the expansive pool and guest house. “The pool is way bigger than I wanted,” Mike said. “I just need something to plunge into and maybe a few Jacuzzi jets, but now that it’s done, it’s created a great outdoor area.” The pool seems to jut out from the cliff, and bathers can soothe their skin in the water while listening to the waves wash over the rocks of Cooten Bay below. On the other side of the pool, a separate two-storey building will serve as the guest house, “but it could also be used as an office and gym or a separate master bedroom,” Mike said.
22
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
In the property world, Mike and his company Nautool are known for stainless steel railings— mostly straight, sleek lines. “I’ve always had an eye for lines, straight lines,” he said, but for this property, he wanted to try something different. “I have a custom idea in my head,” Mike said. “I want a soft touch, a warm touch. I’m going to try and incorporate curves that arch out—a Romeo and Juliet-type thing.” So the arch design overhead, above the columns, will be mimicked in the arched railings between each column. In addition to the stainless steel railings, Mike has designed a stainless steel feature for the front door—a stand of bulrushes—that will serve as a security gate and also add “some personal, artistic flair.” When I asked Mike where he got his ideas, he said, “I dream about things like that. It’s that vision you start to put on paper.” He described how he used to make what he called “boat jewellery—trinkets of shiny, stainless steel things hanging off a boat” for customers who wanted a little bling. At clients’ request, “I used to put a lot of flair into things that didn’t really need it,” he said. Mike’s stainless accents will also be used in the bathrooms and kitchen of this new home. The luxury villa, with nods to historical architecture as well as contemporary stainless steel design, should be completed by the time of publication. PY For more information, email stainless@surfbvi.com, attn: Rock Haven.
Drakes’ Traders Ltd.
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
23
Story and photos by David Blacklock
RBVIYC's Raft Splashes Down Youth Programme Moves to Nanny Cay The BVI abounds with sailors of impressive calibre. From Olympians and class champions to America's Cup squad members, many have settled here to raise children and enjoy the bounties of the Caribbean lifestyle. Contributing to the education of the Islands’ children in the fun and exciting pursuit of sailing, the Royal BVI Yacht Club hosts a number of programmes for kids of various ages, under the watchful eye of Director of Racing Richard Wooldridge. BVIPY met with Richard to discuss the club's programmes and recent changes in the way classes are being conducted. “The Yacht Club's Youth Sailing progamme is moving from town,” Richard told us, “from the beach next to VISAR at Road Reef to Nanny Cay. I've been Director of Sailing at the Yacht Club for the past three years and have been trying to run dinghy sailing from the beach there, and it's just like pushing string uphill. It's such a wreck beach, and it's never going to change. There's sewage works planned for there, a new boat slipway, scrap vehicles everywhere, and parents didn't want to bring their kids down there and drop them off—let alone get involved in the programme. It was really tough to get any momentum going. So we went and had a meeting with Nanny Cay and they said ‘Yeah, come down, and we'll put the boats in an area that's never going to be developed. We'll give you Saturday mornings, and we'll see how it goes.’ Well the first thing we found was it's fantastic. We launch off the beach there. But as soon as it's blowing
24
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
more than 12 knots out of ESE, you're launching kids straight into what I call Cape Nanny Cay. It can be ferocious. When the current is going up channel, you get square waves there that can be really quite nasty. So we identified a need to build a raft that we could put into Sea Cow's Bay,” Richard said. “The idea of the raft is very simple,” he continued. “With beginners, we start their sailing session from the raft in the sheltered waters of Sea Cow's Bay rather than try to drag them out into the maelstrom off Nanny Cay. We're storing Optimists on the raft, so we just load up the coach boats with the rigs, motor round to the raft where the water's pretty clean, and we can rig up in safety. Pretty soon we have them doing a reach/tack/reach/tack backwards and forwards to the raft. We don't have them all afloat at the same time—we have some kids kicking around on the raft where they can swim. It works a lot better.” There is considerable overlap between the various sailing programmes in the BVI: KATS and the BVI Watersports Centre each serving slightly different constituents than the RBVIYC, whose participants are mostly children of the club's members. Richard did point out that his sailors would be joining with those from BVI Watersports Centre, also at Sea Cow's Bay, for the Christmas Regatta. As can be seen in the photos, the fun and frolic of playing around in boats is very much a part of the RBVIYC's programme. PY
2011 Sailing and Watersports Calendar Lowell Wheatley Anegada Pursuit Race & Cruise St Croix Yacht Club Hospice Regatta Sweethearts of the Caribbean and Classic Yacht Regatta BVI Dinghy Championships Billabong BVI Kite Jam
Feb 5-6 Feb 11-13 Feb 18-20 Feb 26 Feb 26-March 5 March 3-6 March 14-19 March 25-27 March 29-April 3
April 16 April 23-25 April 24-30
14th Annual Dark & Stormy Regatta 8th ClubSwan Caribbean Rendezvous International Rolex Regatta at St Thomas Yacht Club 40th Annual BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival Virgin Queen Pizza Pursuit Race Tortola Surf Classic Antigua Race Week
Above: The youth sailors use the raft to launch into the water.
BVI YACHT CHARTERS...
THE BOATS. THE SAILING. THE EXPERIENCE...
“Your service was superb… from my first call to book a charter to our last contact when we headed home from the marina.” A satisfied BVI Yacht Charters guest
B V I YA C H T C H A RTERS BVI Yacht Charters is the first port of call for all yacht charters and sales in the BVI. Whether you are looking to charter or to buy, looking for Bareboat or Crewed yachts, a Catamaran or a Monohull, a week or just a few days, our professional team is on hand to make it work, your way.
Tailored and Personal Service Yacht Brokerage service available Beneteau Fractional Programmes Monohulls from 31’ to 52’ Catamarans from 36’ to 47’ 24 Hour Emergency Call Out
T: +1 888 615 4006 or +1 284 494 4289 or E: charters@bviyc.com
BVI YACHT CHARTERS: www.bviyc.com www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
25
The View at
Brandywine Bay by Richard Finnegan, Roger Downing & Partner
Where you choose to live in Tortola is all about the view. The View Apartments at Brandywine Bay is a contemporary oceanfront residential and commercial property on the last sand beach on Tortola’s south shore.
Left: The plans for The View Apartments in Brandywine Bay. Rendering courtesy of Roger Downing & Partner.
26
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
The View was designed by architect Richard Finnegan of RDP Architects & Engineers, well known for the recent modern, iconic building in orange and black— Commerce House—in the heart of Road Town. The design concept was to provide contemporary spaces using durable and safe construction methods with convenient access to work and leisure. Tropical landscaping (watered from collected grey water) greets residents with shade and fragrance as they walk through covered, secure entryways into a clean, modern building lobby and elevator. A French café/boutique at street level has steaming espresso and fresh croissants, with outdoor seating where residents can enjoy the breeze and listen to the sea just steps away. Living space is all on one floor with elevator service to all floors, so stairs only become an option for those looking to stay in shape. Floorto-ceiling operable glass doors and windows are oriented to the trade winds for natural passive cooling and to take advantage of the spectacular views of the beach and channel beyond. Solar power-equipped air conditioning systems, combined with insulated glass, louvers and the nearby beach take care of hotter summer days and those hefty electrical bills for mechanical cooling systems. The open-concept plan incorporates living, dining and kitchen areas into one great room with adjacent entertainment-sized decks overlooking the white sand beach of Brandywine Bay. Gourmet kitchens feature maple cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances including dishwashers and washer and dryer
units. Bedrooms are open plan with walk-in closets and spa-inspired bathrooms that have stall showers, granite countertops and soaker tubs. Interior décor furnishing packages that complement the modern interiors will be available thru RDP’s interior designer. The steel and concrete structure with hurricane glass, water storage cisterns, sewage treatment plant and back up generator protects its occupants from storms, earthquakes and interruptions of water, sewage and power that occur all too often on Tortola. With floor levels starting at 30’ above sea level, the building protects against problems with flooding or storm ocean surges. Public transportation in Tortola is limited, and many currently available residences lack sufficient parking. Onsite, paved parking is designed with an average of two spaces per unit with additional guest and commercial parking. The location is only five minutes to Road Town, one minute to HLSCC Community College, one minute to Brandywine Bay Restaurant and ten steps to the beach. The View at Brandywine Bay offers a very appealing lifestyle with contemporary living spaces, adequate parking, café and boutique, adjacent white sand beach for walking, swimming and bbqs combined with a close proximity to town, the college and fine dining. PY Visit www.architecture.vg/view for more info or to reserve a new home today, or call Andrea Hedrington at the sales office 284-340-3161.
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
27
Hull Paint that Performs & Protects By Traci O’Dea I spent a hot and sunny Friday afternoon walking around the boatyard at Nanny Cay with Eldred Williams and Andy MacDonald from BVI Painters (Nanny Cay) and Caribbean Colours (Fish Bay) who pointed out yachts at different stages in the painting process. Some of the boats had been stripped down to the fibreglass, wood or steel while others had new coats of paint being applied on top of last year’s layers. “If you put paint on top of several layers,” Eldred explained, “it starts cracking. For a racing finish, you really want to strip it back. More paint slows you down.” I touched the rudder of a cruising yacht that had several layers of paint on it then, when we moved over to Defiance, a Martin 49 racing yacht, I definitely noticed the difference. Whereas the cruiser’s rudder paint seemed thick and spongy, the racing boat’s rudder felt ossified—like bone—or as if the paint had been baked on in a kiln. “That boat has been painted with ePaint,” Eldred told me. He also mentioned that if a boat has already been painted with ePaint, it doesn’t need to be stripped. “Just give it a nice sanding and put on two coats,” he said.
Left: Defiance, sleekly painted with ePaint's racing formula. Photo by Traci O'Dea
28
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
According to Mike Goodwin, ePaint’s Senior Staff Scientist, “the foundation of ePaint technology is a patented photochemical process where the paint uses energy from sunlight diffracted through the water column to combine water and dissolved oxygen molecules to form hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide blankets the hull and deters the settling of shell-type larvae yet instantaneously dissipates back to water and oxygen when washed from the hull. This technology allows for good antifouling performance without the use of TBT and copper-based pesticides.” In layman’s terms, the paint reacts to the sun and water to make a microscopic layer that safely creates an unfriendly environment for hull growth. Trish Baily, captain of the charter yacht Serendipity has used ePaint for the past four years. She started using ePaint because, she said, “I run what I term Ecosailing™ charters, and as such, try to be as environmentally responsible with the boat as is possible.” In terms of hull growth, Trish mentioned that she normally has to clean the bottom after about seven months and said that it’s “an easy clean.” Practical Sailor magazine’s October 2010 article “A Hard Look at AntiFouling” said “Epaint was one of the big winners at the sixmonth mark” and “continued to perfrom well at 12 months,”
“Some people don’t have the patience,” he said, “but it’s worth it to get it done right the first time.” adding that “Two hard paints, the popular racing paint ZOHP and the water-based EP2000, remained very clean.” Both Paul Crossby of s/v Sayang and Trish Baily mentioned that one of the drawbacks of ePaint is that it’s a relatively new paint that takes a little more instruction than your typical paint job. “The application needs more care and rigor than regular paint,” said Paul. Eldred added that a lot of boat owners want rush the job, and with his 25 years in the marine refinishing business, he knows better than to skip steps or cut corners. “Some people don’t have the patience,” he said, “but it’s worth it to get it done right the first time.” Trish said that she used the water-based ePaint this year and said it was “fantastic as there are no nasty fumes to breathe in” and “super easy to apply.” BVI Painters carry several new ePaint products that can even be applied on top of other antifouling paints. On the racing side of things, regatta regular Shamrock’s captain Tom Mullen contributed, “This is a high pedigree
paint. It’s not something you can slap on; it’s essential that it’s applied properly. Also, because it does react with the sun, it requires additional coats at the water line.” He also mentioned the time factor. “For putting a good bottom on, you’re out of water a week,” he said but added that “properly applied, you’ve got a bottom that’s going to stand up really well to marine growth,” and that’s going to save time on boat cleaning. He mentioned that other boats around him at Nanny Cay were annoyed because he had no growth at all when “everyone around me was growing long, green beards.” On top of that, Tom was winning races with ePaint. “We had it on Shamrock IV, a J120, and we were on the podium in every regatta we were in. There’s no question in my mind that the quality of the race bottom was a factor in our boat speed.” BVIPY will monitor how ePaint performs at this year’s BVI Spring Regatta, on Defiance, Shamrock and on the BVI Watersports Centre’s newest squib, Grace. Caribbean Colours donated the materials and BVI Painters dedicated the labour to cover the 40-year old boat’s hull with ePaint, and we wish her luck. PY
Go Fast, Stay Clean With eP nt EP-2000
EP-2000 high-performance water-based paint provides exceptional antifouling protection and a hard racing finish. EP-2000 was the only paint out of 65 paints tested to earn an “Excellent” rating after 12 months in high-fouling waters by Practical Sailor Magazine (Oct. 2010). Learn more about ePaint EP-2000 and other products at www.epaint.com.
BVI Distributor!
Skelton Baylots Fish Bay, Tortola
Tel: (284) 494 1448 www.caribbeancolours.vg
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
29
Spicing Up
Happy Hour
There are few empty bedrooms or berths in the BVI at this time of the year as people flee cold climates and seek refuge with friends and family in the Islands’ predictably balmy weather. After spending the day exploring the BVI on land and by water, my visitors are always hungry when happy hour rolls around. Since happy hour is rarely limited to an hour in the BVI, serve some tasty snacks to satisfy everyone’s hunger prior to dinner. Consider making appetizers in advance to minimize time spent in the kitchen and maximize time spent relaxing with friends and family. For a truly hassle-free evening, serve a variety of substantial appetizers (pre-made) in lieu of a more formal dinner, letting everyone graze all evening. While beans may not come to mind as an appetizer, two of my standby appetizers involve beans, a staple of Caribbean cooking. Black bean dip is easy and healthy, and my recipe can be doubled or tripled with little additional effort. Simply combine all the ingredients and blend a few batches in a food processor. As an added bonus, this dip is even better the second day. One of my favourite Caribbean snacks is
by Susie Younkle
crunchy, spiced chickpeas. This Trinidadian bar snack—called channa, the East Indian word for the beans, due to the Indian influence on the food of Trinidad—is ideal paired with a cool cocktail. I first sampled this snack in Grenada and promptly stocked my boat’s galley with the little packets found in Grenadian supermarkets. As I sailed north, I couldn’t find the snack. My stash of channa was growing low, but I wasn’t sure how to make it. When I finally asked a Trinidadian friend for the recipe, she said: “Easy. Rehydrate, fry, and season the channa.” I was supposed to FRY beans? Never had I heard of this. Of course, I should have known. Caribbean cooks are masters at frying anything—even dough, as evidenced by the popularity of delicious johnnycakes—and everything seems to taste better when fried. I’ve tried to achieve comparable results by baking the channa but have found there’s no substitute for the crunch provided by frying. A bowl of spicy channa is like a bowl of cashews or candy…so irresistible that they seem to evaporate and suddenly you realize you’ve eaten the entire bowl! Be sure to make a huge batch of channa so you have plenty to share with visiting friends and family. PY
Recipes
Black Bean Dip
Serve with a large bowl of tortilla chips.
2 15-oz cans black beans ½ C light sour cream 3 Tbl cilantro leaves 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped OR hot sauce to taste 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp ground cumin Salt and pepper Drain and rinse beans, reserving some of the liquid from the can. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Add reserved liquid from the beans, as needed, to attain the desired consistency. Makes about three cups.
Sponsored by
Spiced Channa Snack
Vary the spices depending on preference. Cumin is a good addition. ½ lb dried chickpeas Oil for frying ¾ – 1 tsp crushed red pepper ¾ tsp garlic powder Coarse salt Place beans in a large bowl and cover with lots of water. Let sit overnight so the beans can rehydrate. Drain the beans and thoroughly remove excess water with a dry towel. Heat oil to 350 degrees. Working in batches, add beans to hot oil and fry until a golden color, about 10 minutes. Remove beans from oil and place in a bowl lined with paper towels then transfer to another bowl and add the spices. Sprinkle generously with salt.
Riteway Food Markets provisioning service offers a number of services to help your visit to the British Virgin Islands be a fuss-free, enjoyable experience. Time is of the essence for you and our 20 plus years' experience in provisioning has enabled us to tailor our services to suit the needs of all concerned by providing a wide selection of choice foods, beverages, liquor and dry products. So, whether it is your private getaway schooner, or a Super Mega yacht, each order, no matter how large or small, is given the same amount of detailed attention and delivered directly to you. After all, it's the Riteway way of doing business!
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
31
Valentine’s Day Shopping through History by Traci O'Dea
Though many cynics like to claim otherwise, St Valentine’s Day has a history that began long before the holiday was hijacked by Hallmark, chocolatiers and florists. This list offers possible Valentine’s Day gifts with historical significance while also providing an abridged history of the holiday. Bath Products—In the fifth century BC, Februa, “the Roman festival of general expiation and lustration” according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, emphasized purification. Leather—Februa later morphed into Lupercalia, a celebration in which nude young men ran around Rome bearing whips made from the skins of sacrificed animals to gently strike willing women seeking reproductive assistance, says Wikipedia. Relics Box—At the turn of the third century, a Christian named Valentine of Terni allegedly died on February 14, according to The Telegraph, and relics assigned to him are housed at Basilica of Saint Valentine in Terni.
All photos taken at Arawak Interiors by Traci O'Dea.
32
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
Tableware—Wikipedia notes that the feast of St Valentine was established around 500 AD by Pope Gelasius I in honour of the martyred saints. Birds—The Oxford English Dictionary cites the literary uses for St Valentine’s Day starting in 1381 with Geoffrey Chaucer’s Parlement of Foules which mentions birds looking for their mates. In Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Theseus says: “Saint Valentine is past. Begin these wood birds but to couple, now?” Blank Notepads for Love Poems—Charles D’Orleans is credited with writing the first Valentine’s Day poem in the 15th century: “Je suis desja d'amour tanné/ Ma tres doulce Valentinée” (Love’s already tanned my hide/My very precious Valentine) which actually sort of ties back to the Lupercalia celebrations.
Cards—Valentine’s Day cards were exchanged in the UK in the eighteenth century. In 1847, they were first mass produced in the US by Esther Howland. Hallmark’s website states that the popular card manufacturer “first offered Valentine’s Day cards in 1913.” Picture Frames—On February 14, 1849, James Polk became the first serving US President to have his photograph taken.
+1.284.494.5240 Road Reef Plaza, Road Town, Tortola
Biodegradable & Compostable products for all food container needs STORE OPEN at Studio 244, Road Town, Tortola greentechbvi@gmail.com for catalogue requests and wholesale orders
Tel +1 284 340 1835
Fax +1 284 494 3896
www.greentechbvi.com www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
33
Being an Architect in the BVI is Never Boring by Steve Fox, Managing Director, OBM International Working as an architect in the British Virgin Islands, people I meet are often curious to know more about what it’s like— what do we design, who do we design for, is it enjoyable. Well, from the outset, when I came to work here nearly seven years ago, it was clear that things would be very different to the ways of working that I’d been used to back in London. For a start, London is densely developed and saturated with architects and designers, all competing to stand out from the crowd, hoping to win that rare dream commission to design a new building, hoping to make their mark. In contrast, the BVI is geographically tiny and sparsely developed, with more space, scope and opportunity to do what we as architects want to do; design beautiful, unique buildings. In architectural school, we often find ourselves developing idealized, imaginary projects for beautiful, challenging sites, only to find that, in the real world, things can be somewhat more mundane. So it’s very exciting to be working in a place where virtually every site is beautiful and challenging. With our steep hillsides, stunning
34
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
vistas, lush vegetation and unusual natural features, it’s a pleasure to design to integrate with the naturally spectacular topography of the islands. And in aiming for this integration, it follows that no two designs are the same, with every project having its own special characteristics. This variety helps to ensure that we’re constantly inspired and enthused. Things get even more interesting when combined with our broad range of clients. We desig for a wildly varying range of people with differing backgrounds, cultures and income brackets. On the residential side of our business, projects can range in size from a 200-acre private island to a modest guest cabin. Clients hail from all over the world and come with their own specific needs and desires. Projects currently on my desk include a 12-bedroom holiday villa in Anguilla for three generations of family from Elkhorn, Nebraska, a small, traditional wooden cottage for a pair of Swedish surfers and their dogs, and a simple but dramatic, modern eco-house for a local family of three. Working in the islands necessitates a very close involvement and understanding of the environment. As with all aspects of life
Opposite: Traditional BVI architectural features. Photo courtesy of OBMI. Right: One of many BVI possibilities. Architectural rendering courtesy of OBMI.
here, everything we do has an immediate and apparent impact, but this is particularly evident with construction. Unlike in the big city, where a new building simply “plugs in” to the existing infrastructure, here in the BVI we need to carefully consider and be closely involved with all elements of the design and construction, which results in an intimate understanding and connection to the heart of the project. Although we may be far removed from the centres of technology, we’re in a position to be leaders in the field of “sustainable” design, as we integrate strategies for drainage, water and energy use, durability and minimization of the impact on the natural landscape. Of course, the tropical climate is another factor which draws people to these islands. This climate also allows us to design more freely than in colder regions. Buildings can be open, light and airy, and construction detailing
can be simple. One of the main ambitions of modern architecture is to achieve a sense of the free flow of space, within the building and from the inside to the outside spaces. In our climate, we can virtually eliminate the boundaries between inside and outside to achieve an expanded feeling of space, at one with the landscape, embracing the picture-perfect views of the ocean and the horizon. All of these factors come together to result in an intense involvement with every project. The variety of clients and sites ensures that things never get boring. Most projects are fun, some are truly glamorous, and, once built, almost all are deeply satisfying. It’s a pleasure to be able to help clients realize their dreams, to provide them with intelligent and beautiful solutions to their needs, and to contribute positively to the environment of our islands. PY
ARCHITECTURE RESORT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING MASTER PLANNING INTERIOR DESIGN
OBM INTERNATIONAL T 284 494 2148 OBMI.COM BVI Property Guide OCT09.indd 1
www.bvipy.com
35
10/30/09 5:17 PM
FEBRUARY 2011
Beef Island to St Maarten and Dominica From
and Back Again. All Before 1PM. Story and photos by Traci O'Dea
I enjoy flying, but I probably spend most flights distractedly anticipating what I’ll be doing when I get off the plane—whether it’s going on vacation, visiting family or returning home. But on a random Wednesday in January, I got on a plane just to fly. It’s a completely different experience, and I was able to solely focus on the journey. My captain, Ken Smith, and first officer, Martin Halstead, welcomed me aboard the 19-seat Jetstream 32, assigned me to the jump seat directly behind them, and handed me a headset so I could listen in to them and air traffic control. I was listed on the books as an ACW, Additional Crew Member, and not one of the passengers—pretty cool. I spent most of the trip looking ahead of me through the windshield of the plane and trying to sort out what the chatter over the airwaves meant. We took off from Beef Island with seven passengers headed for St Maarten. I watched as Martin set
36
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
the altitude and heard a loud alarm over the headphones whenever that altitude was reached. We climbed to 11,000 feet, and even though we were speeding through the air above the clouds at velocities over 300 mph, I felt like we were cruising along a newly paved highway at about 65. As we travelled through the air and descended into St Maarten, the early morning discourse over the headphones was minimal and served as a nice introduction to what was going on. Drake 103, our plane, requested clearance to land, and it was granted. Ken pointed out the beach below, now deserted, where tourists would later be lined up to take photos of the incoming and outgoing planes, and as we flew over, I understood why; I thought we were going to skim the sandy beach before we hit the runway. After a smooth landing, we hung out on the tarmac for a few minutes while the passengers deplaned and new passengers arrived.
Right: The descent down the mountain to the Dominica runway. Opposite: The view of Dominica from the jump seat.
Before we took off from St Maarten to Dominica, Ken asked me through the headphones, “Traci, do you like rollercoasters?” Then he announced over the loudspeaker that we would have some turbulence for about ten to fifteen seconds after we first ascended. I started counting once the wheels left the ground, and I kept waiting for some major turbulence, but only felt a few dips and shudders typical of any takeoff. After sixteen seconds, we had completely balanced out. Then after a few more minutes, we passed through the little bit of weather that had been sprinkling St Maarten with rain (and providing a thick rainbow beyond the airport) and flew toward blue skies. Upon seeing a cottony cloud in front of us, Ken made an abracadabra motion with his hands, and within seconds, we were inside of it. “That’s what flying’s all about,” he said. “Those little things.” As we approached Dominica, the moisture from the air conditioning formed a swirling fog around my passenger side window that framed the view of the lush, undeveloped, cloud-strewn mountains and added to the mystique of the island that Ken compared to Jurassic Park. Before we had left St Maarten, Ken explained how we would fly into Dominica,
but I wasn’t prepared for the cinema-like event. First, Ken passed over the landing strip and airport below us and headed towards the mountain range ahead then we turned around, almost at the top of the ridge, and soared down the valley, with the verdant hillsides surrounding us, and landed facing the sea. I think I forgot to breathe, not from fright, but because I just wanted to soak in the experience. As we headed back to St Maarten, the headphones were much busier with chatter in English and French—the latter because of our proximity to Guadeloupe and Martinique. This time, as we drew nearer to the St Maarten airstrip, I observed that a small crowd had gathered on the beach by the airport. They snapped photos as we passed over, and we definitely ruffled some hair before we landed in St Maarten again. For the last leg of the journey, back to Beef Island, Ken and Martin had no passengers, so I felt like I was travelling on my own private plane. Not bad for a Wednesday morning. Next time I fly to St Maarten and Dominica with BVI Airways, though, I plan on seeing more of the islands than just the tarmac. PY
Travel Plans Tortola to St. Maarten fares as low as $99
Booking Agent
284 494 2347/8 and 284 340 2347 travelplan@romascobvi.com Romasco Place, Admin Drive, Road Town, Tortola BVI. VG1110 284 495 5580 and 284 340 5580 Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, BVI VG1150
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
37
Real Estate and Asset Allocation by Adam Stauffer, CFA, Chief Investment Officer at Offshore Investment Advisor
US home equity peaked in 2005 at $13.1 trillion when it accounted for over 22% of households’ net worth, according to the Federal Reserve. Now five years later it stands at $7 trillion and accounts for only 13%. The magnitude of this fall and its unprecedented global reach have left many investors breathless—questioning the role that real estate plays in maximizing long-term wealth. Historically, real estate has been an excellent way for individuals to not only save but to build wealth. Despite this, many wealth managers do not include it in their asset allocation calculations. In fact, there is a relative dearth of research on how home equity fits into an individual’s overall portfolio. In my opinion, this is a mistake. Not only can real estate offer great diversification relative to other assets, such as stocks and bonds, but it also forces investors into a regimented savings plan.
38
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
Some of the best asset managers in the world, the managers of the Harvard and Yale endowments, currently allocate 23% and 32% to real assets, respectively. Real assets are instruments, such as commodities and infrastructure, that tend to preserve their value during periods of heightened inflation. Real estate is a subset of this—currently Harvard allocates 9% and Yale an estimated 14%. Given their success in providing superior returns with less risk, we can use the average of their allocations, or 11.5%, as a logical starting point for individuals. There are no set rules, since every investor has different objectives and risk constraints. A significantly higher allocation, and your portfolio may be too geared to inflation and more risky than you think; too little, and it may not be hedged enough against inflation. Taking this a layer deeper, data suggest that foreign real estate offers even greater diversification benefits and may enhance return. When analyzing foreign real estate, the two most important factors to consider, in addition to the risks inherent in all real estate, are political—the stability of the government and the level of bureaucracy—and economic—the stability of the exchange rate and the economy. The British Virgin Islands seems to grade well on both fronts. However, the journey forward remains riddled with potholes and real estate’s previously squeaky clean ability CGIBVI0610-1
28/6/10
19:30
to grow wealth is now soiled. Many analysts forecast prolonged weakness in US real estate as anemic demand and high inventories extend the slump. To make matters worse, the European sovereign debt crisis threatens to be a major aftershock to the global credit crisis, which means real estate could face new deflationary headwinds. As a result, every investor, whether just beginning or well underway, should have an idea of their exposure to real estate as well as equities, bonds and commodities to ensure they are not overly concentrated in any one asset or region. When deciding between real estate versus other investments, a simple analogy guides the way. Asset allocation is like farming—the risk of failing to produce anything can be significantly reduced by dividing the land into smaller plots and then planting a variety of vegetables and fruits that grow under different conditions. The end result is farm-fresh produce regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way. The same applies for long-term investing—by spreading wealth across uncorrelated assets and culling losers before they overtake your portfolio, you can produce superior risk-adjusted returns and a portfolio that performs regardless of the economic environment. Your wealth manager can help you conduct this analysis. And while sometimes working with your advisor can seem like going to the doctor—it is easy to put off and you hesitate to tell all—you are almost always better off after you go. PY
Page 1
Colonial
Health, wealth and happiness cover. Colonial protects lifestyles and livelihoods with insurance, health care and pensions. From competitive home and motor insurance to business protection, you will have the reassuring support of a $300 million regional insurance group behind you. If you need lifestyle protection that delivers more value, cover and service for your money, just ask Colonial for a quote.
Save with home and motor insurance! CALL 494-8450 or visit www.cgigroup.bm
COLONIAL INSURANCE (BVI) LTD. Palm Grove House, P.O. Box 2377, Road Town,Tortola,VG1110 Tel. 494-8450 email. colonial@surfbvi.com www.cgigroup.bm A member of Colonial Group International: Insurance, Health, Pensions, Life
www.bvipy.com
Colonial Group International is rated A(Excellent) by AM Best.
FEBRUARY 2011
39
A GUIDE FOR NEW RESIDENTS & VISITORS TO THE BVI
NEW to the BVI? Let NEWBIE help you out.
For sales, distribution and where to find your free copy of NEWBIE contact info@alookingglass.com published by
www.bvinewbie.com
40
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
Hurricane Waters Calm a Coral Crisis By Dan O’Connor
Above: Corals that lose their healthy brown and green hues and turn white are most likely showing tell-tale signs of bleaching. Photo by Armando Jenik
The past hurricane season brought heavy rains, high winds and a cause for concern—both on land and below sea level. For many BVI residents, the wet and windy season proved either threatening or costly— or both. But for local marine biologists and dive enthusiasts with a vested interest in the territory’s lush yet increasingly threatened coral reefs, the heavy systems that swept through BVI waters brought a sigh of relief. Early studies of surrounding reefs indicate that the BVI escaped a threat of widespread coral bleaching, thanks in large part to sea temperatures cooled by passing tropical systems. A recently released report co-authored by BVI marine biologist Shannon Gore shows through satellite and field evidence that the territory dodged predictions suggesting that high water temperatures
caused by global warming would devastate the region’s vast coral networks. Instead, the busy hurricane season had a cooling effect on the waters, after numerous systems filed one after another off the cape of western Africa and from the Gulf of Mexico, largely trampling the northern Leeward Islands. And while many of those islands experienced millions of dollars in costly surface damages, much of the underwater habitat survived in large part because of the natural cooling effects that helped to shelter marine life from the harmful effects of global warming, Gore explained. “Interestingly, it’s basically a way that nature kind of protected itself,” the marine biologist said, adding that hurricanes also help to clear out dead coral, stimulating fresh, productive life. Predictions before the start of the 2010 hurricane season suggested that the Caribbean region, along with coral reef breeding grounds around the globe, would be susceptible to a rise in water temperatures significant enough to cause more devastation to the underwater www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
41
habitat than in 2005, when coral bleaching effectively terrorised coral basins globally. From June to October of that year, researchers from 22 different countries found that more than 80 percent of basin-scale coral experienced bleaching, which occurs when the healthy algae (zooxanthellae) dies off as a result of unsustainable living conditions. Here, the Department of Conservation and Fisheries recorded a 60 percent mortality rate due to coral affected by bleaching. “That was the worst in recorded history,” Gore said, adding that rising water temperatures have taken their largest toll on tropical waters over the past two decades. Warm, calm waters shocked by heavy sunlight and minimal winds provide the perfect recipe for bleaching, Gore explained. When water temperatures rise as little as one degree Celsius above average maximum temperatures, corals can expel the living algae from their bodies, subsequently expelling the provider of 90 percent of their food. The coral will turn white, and, after only a few days living in this condition, will likely to die. Coral bleaching is a phenomenon researchers link directly to global warming, but that doesn’t mean the battle to preserve the BVI’s pristine waters is hopeless, Gore explained. Aside from increasing water temperatures, reefs can be even more negatively impacted by the human imprint, she said. The marine biologist added that many divers and snorkellers who swim without a trained eye have a hard time identifying bleaching patterns and often overlook its cause for concern. “For the most part, people just think, ‘Wow! That’s pretty,’” she said of the bleached coral. Generally, a lack of concern about the problem persists, she added. Here, policy makers and those charged with enforcing the law need to be equally proactive protecting the reefs, she said. Furthermore, she added, boating and SCUBA enthusiasts visiting the Caribbean should respect the living coral’s fragility as they admire its beauty. PY
42
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
Above: This coral is suffering from early symptoms associated with bleeching. Photo courtesy of Department of Conservation and Fisheries
Ratted Out:
Our Writer Battles a Resourceful Rodent by David Blacklock When the rains finally stopped and the cleanup began, boat owners were faced with some surprises. Not only were boats covered with mud, leaves and other debris, but certain furry rodents were to be seen (or more accurately, heard) wreaking havoc in the dark places aboard. This writer experienced firsthand the privations of the toothy terrorists. I lay in my bunk one evening and heard a rowdy racket on deck. It sounded as if something with claws was trying to get purchase on the fiberglass. Leaping out of the companionway, I shined a light around the cockpit and soon illuminated the source of the scramble: a wee rat, looking confused. I thought he might have sensed my disapproval and returned whence he came—presumably my anchor rode. Such naiveté was rewarded by the next day's discovery of a delicate half-moon shape nibbled out of a banana. Curses were uttered, and I set several traps; the next night I caught a little creature which I promptly dispatched to the gruesome depths of the inner harbour. Success was mine. Next day, however, I discovered another chewed banana. This was serious. Feeling confident in my hunting abilities, I set out a series of big spring-loaded snap traps and a couple of glue boards and smugly awaited the destruction of the beasties. In the middle of the night, I heard a loud snap and leaped from my bunk to discover that the bait had been removed from the spring trap; the trap itself was sprung, but the wily rascal was gone. The stakes were now higher. I put word out that I had been invaded and was offered an electric trap. Being called away on charter, I laid traps around and left in full knowledge that it was only a matter of time before victory came my way. Eight days later, I returned to find the blinking light in the electric trap indicating that there had been a massive voltage event. Peering into the depths of the trap, I saw that the bait was gone but there
was no rat. How could this be? There was only one possible course of action— reinforcements. So I purchased an $80 super rat zapper along with some new type of spring trap, and, against my better judgment, I stocked up on poison baits. I thought the upgraded electric zapper would do the trick, but it was not to be. I observed that one of my poison baits seemed to have disappeared, but I thought that might have been a trick of memory. Off I went on charter again. On my return, I noticed no changes to my traps and baits though I did see some dark droppings indicating the persistence of the pestilence. One other thing I noticed was a rather sharp odour. “Hmm,” I thought, “that darn mould again.” Ha ha—that wasn't any mould; that was a dead rat stinking up my crib (or so I came to believe). My emotions were mixed since on the one hand, I seemed to have solved my problem, but on the other, there was a dead rat somewhere in my bilge. A month has passed, and still no sign of the rodent. Until I get truly to the bottom of this issue—which means some dark and hitherto unexplored nook deep in my bilge somewhere— I'll never know if the little rat truly is dead, or just biding his time until I've finally relaxed again and reintroduced bananas to my cabana. PY
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
43
Decorating the
Dream Vacation Property by Dawn Southgate
Above: One of he crisp yet comfortable bedrooms of Villa Aquamare on Virgin Gorda. Opposite: Villa Aquamare's spacalibre bathroom. Photos courtesy of Villa Aquamare
44
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
The sheer beauty of the BVI makes it a sought-after vacation destination, one that merits accommodations reflecting its tropical appeal and easygoing lifestyle. For those offering vacation rentals, it’s important to take your clients’ needs into account before designing and decorating your property to get the best return on investment. Start by deciding on your target market. Is it honeymooners, the sailing community, families, singles or all of the above? Next, ask how each of their needs differ and how will this be reflected in the design. While newlyweds might be looking for a vacation property oozing with romance, families and sailors will need a more practical space, one where sand and damp swimwear aren’t going to ruin the decor. Consider whether your property is a high-end rental or in the mid price range and what level of service you are offering your guests. When designing the property, remember most visitors come to the islands to enjoy outdoor living. Having a large terrace or patio provides the opportunity to live and dine outside—to enjoy the soft island breezes and warm evening temperatures. While an outdoor kitchen or barbecue area is a must, also create a well-equipped indoor kitchen for all your guests’ cooking needs. Choose high-end major appliances, quality accessories, as well as matching dinnerware, glassware, flatware, placemats and napkins for the ultimate dining experience. Bathrooms should inspire a spa-like feel and relaxation with beautiful tiles, a powerful showerhead, a deep-soaking bathtub and lots of soft, fluffy towels.
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
No matter what design style you select, it’s important to purchase quality, or even contract-grade furniture that will withstand the wear and tear of renters and continue to look great for years. While there is no set design style for vacation homes, clean lines and an uncluttered, light, airy space create the perfect retreat. Tropical, Asian or contemporary themes work best, whereas traditional furniture may not endure in an island setting. That said, elements of traditional design could easily blend into any style. Choose outdoor fabrics for upholstery and pillows. Their stain and water-resistant properties make them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. And most appealing, the ever-increasing range of colors and textures makes it easier than ever to create the design you want. Select fabrics that coordinate in a way that looks relaxing rather than introducing too many patterns and colors. Comfort is a top priority for any vacationer, so select chairs and sun loungers with sumptuous pillows and soft fabrics to inspire rest and relaxation. Complete the decor with colorful, washable rugs, interesting artwork and bold accents. While most guests are looking for something special with their vacation rental, many also want a home away from home, a space where they can immediately feel relaxed
with all the comforts of home plus added luxuries. This translates to a wonderfully comfortable bed, crisp clean sheets and attractive bed covers. Luxuries should extend to incidentals such as bath and body care products, bathrobes, alarm clocks, iPod docks, TV and DVD players, internet access, luggage racks, books and games, extra pillows and blankets, a hammock and beach towels. A guide to local restaurants, bars and recommendations for day trips is a must. Also remember to include candles, flashlight and other practical items in case of a power outage. When creating the perfect BVI retreat, there really is no area to compromise in giving your guests the ultimate BVI vacation experience and creating a sound business for yourself. PY
Reliability. “The most acclaimed law firm in the BVI.” - Legal 500 Harneys is the British Virgin Islands’ leading law firm, and our dedicated BVI Business practice group advises domestic and international clients on British Virgin Islands transactional and non-transactional real estate, finance, regulatory, tax and general commercial matters. We have an unparalleled wealth of experience in property law and practice and also specialise in ship registration and finance. For more information contact us at 284 494 2233, or visit our website at www.harneys.com.
British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Cyprus London | Hong Kong | Montevideo www.harneys.com
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
45
Caribbean Technology When it’s mission critical, call Caribbean Technology
For Generators
For UPS
Suppliers to: Peter Island Resort, Riteway, Scrub Island, Nail Bay and BVI Government
We also supply and install surge protection, lightning protection, circuit breakers, contactors and switchgear. Call or click for a quote: T 494 6782/3150 F 494 5389 cabtech@surfbvi.com robtech@surfbvi.com
46
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
www.caribbeantechnology.com
Is Your Pool Safe Enough for Guests? By Erick Oeseburg Swimming and playing in the beautiful ocean waters that surround the Caribbean islands is a dream for many. Here in the BVI, we are lucky to have this ideal at our disposal every day of the year. When visiting these tropical outposts, guests are naturally drawn to the sea. Days are spent on, at or in the water; whether partly submerged or flying above it, no other experience is equivalent. Water is such an invigorating substance, and we love to be submerged in it. To stay competitive in the vacation industry, the majority of rental homes and villas have added swimming pools to their property. Some pools are fantastically laid out with slides, massage jets, shallow playing areas, and yes, even here, heated water. Creating the perfect backyard water paradise is a great expression of homeowners’ creativity and personal wishes, and friends and guests will likely enjoy the pool as much as the owners. For those who plan to rent their beautiful creation during the time that they don’t occupy the house, certain preparations must be made. The property needs to be made ready for the arrival of unknowns as it is going to be subject to the judgment of others—people from a variety of countries, beliefs and walks of life. When it comes to pools, homeowners have to be very careful. Is the pool safe? Is there suction entrapment avoidance installed? Are the right amount of ladders installed? Are there depth markers? Is the light bright enough to allow nighttime swimming? Something as simple as the steps that lead into the water should be sized adequately and within a certain range of dimensions. While all these considerations are typically addressed before and during the construction of the pool, the game changes when it is built for “public use.”
Real estate booking agents have strict guidelines on houses and swimming pools. In order to ensure that the property is marketable, it is good to work with the advice of specialist in the field. Sanitation of the water is probably one of the most daunting tasks of absentee pool ownership, without having the benefit to check on the pool water, homeowners must rely on more automated systems. The addition of a simple salt chlorine generator takes out the guesswork and ensures proper sanitation of the water with minimal human intervention. With a simple once a week check up, the pool can be kept in terrific shape with minimal cost and downtime to guests. After all, the majority of guests are here to enjoy. For some, that means relaxing at the beach or reading a book in the soothing waters of a spa or swimming pool while for others it is making incredible jumps while hanging on a few three-millimeter lines, which is inherently more dangerous than walking on a wet pool deck…the latter, however, should not require the use of a helmet. Be safe out there. PY
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
47
Legend: Regions
EE FB NC PP PR RR
Property & Yacht Directory
East End Fish Bay Nanny Cay Port Purcell Prospect Reef Road Reef
RT SB SH TB VG WE
Road Town Sea Cows Bay Sophers Hole Trellis Bay Virgin Gorda West End
Use the legend to reference the businesses listed. ACTIVITIES
LAW FIRMS
Dolphin Discovery (PR) – (284)494.7675
Harneys (RT) – (284)494.2233
ALTERNATIVE & BACKUP POWER
Marine & Yacht Clubs
Alternative Energy Systems (PP) – (284)494.1478 Caribbean Technology (RT) – (284)494.6782
Nanny Cay Marina & Hotel (NC) - (284)494.2512 Royal BVI Yacht Club (RR) - (284)494.3286 Manuel Reef (SB) - (284)495.2066
ARCHITECTS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Caribbean Architecture LTD. (RT) – (284)494.1913 OBM International (RR) – (284)494.2148 Roger Downing & Partners (RT) – (284)494.2762
BareCat (SB) - (284)495-1979
Yacht Shots BVI (NC) – (284)495.7550
est. 1993 | Fleet size: 10 | Sells boats: No | Charters Boats: Yes | Brand(s): Fontaine Pajot, Lagoon, Leopards, Island Spirit, Robertson & Caine, Privilege, Voyages | Year Make: 1997-2005 | Type(s): Catamarans | barecats@surfbvi.com
PROPERITES
Book StoreS
National Educational Services (RR) - (284)494.3921
Consultants
Sail Bravura (RT) -(284)443.2586 Southern Trades (RT) -(284)494.8003 Sunsail (RT) -(888)416.8420 The Moorings (RT) -(888)416.8420 TMM (RR) - (800)633.0155 Tortola Yacht Sales (RT) - (284)494.2124
Baraka Point (VG) – (800)969.9713 Mooney Bay (VG)– (888)624.3215 Nail Bay (VG) – (284)494.8000 Oil Nut Bay (VG) – (284)495.5400
BVI Charter Yacht Sales (RT) (284)494.4868 est. 1986 | Fleet size: 46 | Sells Boats: Yes | Charters Boats: Yes | Brand(s): Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Leopard, Norseman, Island Spirit, Athena, Hunter | Year Make: 1996-2004 | Type(s): Sailboat Cats and Monohulls | www.charteryachtsales.com
BVI Development Consultants (RT) - (284)494.5353
Provisioning dIVING & aNGLING
Dive Tortola (RT) - (284)494.9200
Riteway Food Markets (RT) – (284)494.2263 Supa Valu (RT) - (284)494.3600
FURNITURE
REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Arawak Interiors (RR) – (284)494.5240 Nutmeg Designs (RT) – (284)494.9151 Poolworks (PP)– (284)494.0989
Gardening
Fort Garden Center (PP) - (284)494.2362
GREEN PRODUCTS Greentech (RT) – (284)340.1835
Health
Crown Dental (RR) - (284)494.2770 Sole Spa (RT) - (284)494.5999
HOME IMPROVEMENTS Caribbean Colours (FB)– (284)494.1448 Clarence Thomas LTD. (RT)– (284)494.2359 Drakes Traders LTD. (FB)– (284)494.3282 Woodwork Shop (FB)– (284)494.9010 Tool Town (PP)– (284)494.2352
INSURANCE Colonial Insurance (RT) – (284)494.8450 Nagico Insurance (RT) – (284)494.6433/4
INVESTING
Coldwell Banker Real Estate (NC)– (284)495.3000 Dougal & Associates – (284)495.3003 Sotheby’s International Realty (RT) – (284)494.5700 Trude Real Estate (RT) – (284)494.2500
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Representing the finest selection of luxury crewed charter yachts in the BVI | bvicrewedyachts.com
Restaurants & Pubs
BVI Yacht Charters (RT) - (284)495.4289
Pisces Restaurant (SH) - (284)543.6724 Jolly Roger (WE) -(284)495.4559
est. 1974 | Fleet size: 45 | Sells Boats: Yes | Charters Boats: Yes | Brand(s): Beneteau, Lagoon, Leopard, Fountaine Pajot, Seawind | Year Make: 2000 - 2009 | Type(s): Sailboat Monohulls and Catamarans | bviyachtcharters.com | www.bviyachtcharters.com
shipping
Tortola Express (RR) - (284)494.0707
Travel
BVI Airways (RT) – (284)494.3247 Travelwise (RT) - (284)4944252 Tortola Travel Services (RT) (284)494.2215
Yacht Charters & BrokeRs Charterport (RT) (284)494.7955 Double D Charters (VG) (284)499.2479 Footloose (RT) - (284)494.0528 Racing in Paradise (NC) (284)494.6781
VP Bank (RT) – (284)494.1100
48
BVI Charter Yacht Society (RT) - (284)494.6017
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
Serving the BVI since 1982 with repairs, rentals and sales of construction and party equipment. T 494 2352
F 494 3545 tooltown@candwbvi.net
Property Listings A
B
1
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Use the map and legend to reference the properties listed. K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
Legend: Regions
Tortola Virgin Gorda Jost van Dyke Northern Islands Southern Islands Anegada
2 3 4
The Settlement
Anegada
Prickly Pear Island Moskito Island
5
Necker Island Eustatia Island
Oil Nut Bay
The Dogs
6 Guana Island
7
Jost Van Dyke
8
Little Jost
Virgin Gorda
Marina Cay Spanish Town
Beef Island Road Town
Buck Island
The Valley
n
Fallen Jerusalem
Long Bay
10
Road Harbour Round Rock
Cooper Island
Nanny Cay
Great Thatch
Ginger Island
Frenchman’s Cay
Dead Chest
12
Carval Rock
Salt Island
13 14
Scrub Island
Cane Garden Bay
Sandy Cay
Little Tobago
11
Great Camanoe
Little Camanoe
Tortola
Green Cay
Great Tobago
9
Q
Pelican Island
Peter Island
Flannigan Island
Norman Island
TORTOLA
J8 3 bedroom Ridge Road Home with 3 bed Apt: Lovely 3 bedroom
H9 Lovely Lot at Ballast Bay: Beautiful Ballast Bay Lot now available. Glorious views of Cane Garden Bay and Jost Van Dyke. US$120,000 | (284)495-3000 chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com
G10 Two and Three Bedroom Hillside Villa – Long Bay Resort: Cleverly designed Villas with fantastic views, great beach and full use of all resort facilities. Lock off units designed to maximize income potential at Tortola’s leading beach resort. From US$435,000 | (284)495-3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com
Private Lots for Sales 0.8 Acres: Located on the North Shore are two parcels
of land, with stunning views, available to build your own dream home. US $155,000+ | (284)494-2500 www.trudebvi.com
I10 WATERFRONT HOMES WITH DOCKS, NANNY CAY: 2/3 bedroom waterfront townhouses with docks now available at
Nanny Cay, Tortola’s premier marina. Full resort facilities and competitive rental program available to offset costs of ownership. US$750,000 | (284)495-3000. | Contact chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com.
Long Trench Estate Home: Situated on .623 acres this split level home has 4
bedrooms, 2 baths and a separate 1 bedroom unit which has rental income. This home is set on .3 acres so an additional house can be erected giving two for the price of one. This is a must see!! US$715,000 Monica at (284)494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com
H8 1 acre Lot, Glorious Cane Garden Bay views: A rare Lot on Luck Hill with fantastic views of Cane Garden Bay. Beautiful sunsets. Very buildable. One not to be missed! US$225k | (284)495-3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com
H8 Cane Garden Bay Cottages: Two delightful cottages set within landscaped palm fringed gardens, less than 50 yards from the beach. Set in under 2 acres, prime investment property. US$1.295k | (284)495-3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com
family home with rental income potential from 3 bed apt beneath. Great views of North Shore and Guana Island. Lush mature garden filled with coconut palms and fruit trees. Motivated Seller. US$750,000 | (284)495-3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com
Jost Van Dyke Land: There is a 1 acre lot located about a mile east of Foxy’s Restaurant. It has utility access, road access and stunning panoramic views of Tortola and St. Thomas. US$110,000 | Monica at (284)494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com
G10 Hummingbird House: Located in the prestigious Belmont Estate only moments
from Smugglers Cove and Long Bay beaches, this delightful home has been extensively remodeled by the current owner, an English Architect with over 20 years island experience designing first class, luxurious homes. Pleasing proportions and scale, elegant finishes and fixture choices of the highest quality and wonderful ocean, island and sunset views. US$2,495,000 | (284)495-3000 chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com
Villa Asolare at Mansion Hall: This stunning home is located around a point
which gives panoramic views of the outer islands from Scrub Island to Norman Island. There are stone steps that lead to each of the three buildings, the two beaches and thru lush flowers, fruit trees and the historic ruins of Fort Hodge dating from the 1740’s. There is also an infinity pool with an out door kitchen, perfect for entertaining! Monica at (284)494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com
H9 Rose Lodge, 3 bedrooms Windy Hill: Beautiful hillside setting with exceptional island and sunset views. Two bedroom main house with lovely gardens and lawn. Delightful views of Cane Garden Bay from very private guest house. US$1.1m | (284)495-3000 www.coldwellbankerbvi.com | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com H9 Business Opportunity: 1.04 acres of hill side land just 200 feet beyond the picturesque beaches of Cane Garden Bay. The property houses six buildings containing 5 one-bedroom, 2 two-bedroom and 1 three-bedroom units. US$2,500,000 | (284)495-4825 G10 Waveland: Waveland is a uniquely private, 3-bed, 2-bath luxury villa with a spectacular elevated position and a magnificent view. A covered lanai with full wet bar connects the living area, two guest bedrooms and master bedroom with unique his and her bathroom suites. US$750,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
49
Virgin Gorda Home for Sale: This charming Home comes furnished with all modern amenities and enchanting views overlooking the Ocean and a lovely garden. This location is prefect for this price. US$300,000 | (284) 494 2500 | www.trude.com
I10 Havers Vista: Lovingly improved and maintained by the current owners the house is on a
single floor and comprises of 2 ensuite bedrooms both with air-conditioning, a large sitting room, entrance hallway and an open kitchen/living area replete with breakfast bar. US$795,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM
Cane Garden Bay 0.5 Acres: This land is above the hills in Cane Garden Bay with road access and spectacular views and no covenants attached. US$150,000 | (284) 494 2500 www.trude.com K9 Endymion: 4-bed, 4.5 bath private house with a spectacular view overlooking Hodge’s Creek and the Sir Francis Drake Channel with the verdant peaks of the numerous islands in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. US$1,375,000 | (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM G10 The Blessing: Exquisitely appointed home above Long Bay. Main house, two bedroom suites, a third loft bedroom and marble deck around infinity pool. Magnificent view. US$1,250,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM K8 Villa Zenaida: Overlooking Little Bay and Atlantic Ocean in exclusive estate. Beautifully
appointed throughout with 3 en-suite air-conditioned bedrooms including guesthouse, swimming pool and deck. US$1,950,000 | (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM
Q7 A Dream Come True, Pond Bay: A five bedroom, cliffside/waterfront home above Virgin Gorda’s most spectacular beaches at Pond Bay and Savannah Bay. Simply stunning. Ask to see the rental history and figures on this property. A phenomenal story. US$3.5m | (284)495-3000 chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com
JOST VAN DYKE E8 JOST VAN DYKE LAND: There is a 1 acre lot located about a mile east from Foxy’s
Restaurant. It has utility access, road access and stunning panoramic views of Tortola and St. Thomas. US$110,000 | Marianne at (284)494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com
NORTHERN ISLANDS M7 Very private 2+ acre lots on Exclusive Scrub Island Marina & Spa Resort! Part of an upscale island resort, waterfront land is available to
build your own dream home. US $1,500,000+ | Monica at (284) 494 2500 | www.trude.com
M7 CHARMING 5 BEDROOM VILLA ON GREAT CAMANOE:
Delightful 3 bedroom Main House with 2 Bedroom Guest house on Great Camanoee. Lots of character. Fantastic island and ocean views, incredible panorama. Easy access to dock. Approx 2 acre Lot. US$1,.200,00 | (284)495-3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com
M7 DIAMOND REEF ESTATE, UNIQUE 10 ACRE PROPERTY:
VIRGIN GORDA Q6 Moonlit Sea: Amazing 180 degree unobstructed sea views. Sunsets and gentle breezes. 4 min. walk to pristine beach, swimming and snorkeling. Beautifully landscaped. 2BR/3BA, open concept, large deck. More photos at www.virgingordahouseforsale.com. Priced below market yet still negotiable. US$695,000 | Bonnie Dougall at (284)495-3003
A fabulous property, full of character and charm. Upon this 10 acre site sits a magnificent 3 bedroom main house, built largely from local stone in 1968 by the Upjohn Pharmaceutical family. A delightful one bedroom guest house built in later years. Residents treated to glorious views yet completely private. Wonderful landscaping, beachfront, private swim dock. Absolutely one of a kind property. US$6m | (284)495-3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com
ANEGADA Loblolly Bay Land
P9 Charming two bedroom, two bath home at Windy Hill:
Set on 0.4 acres in a quiet neighbourhood the property enjoys beautiful views of Tortola and Beef Island and a lush tropical garden. | US$550,000
Great Investment Opportunity!!! Walking distance to the beach and Flash of Beauty Restaurant, this freehold 3.88 acres lot is ideal for any investment venture. There is a road access and utility poll next to the property. US$550,000 | Monica at (284) 494 2500 | www.trude.com
Pedro Wells
WOODWORK SHOP WE SELL GLASS
Makers of WELL’S OPERABLE LOUVERS CELL: 544-3139
Tel: (284) 494-9010 Skelton Baylot, Fish Bay, Tortola 50
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.
www.bvipy.com
FEBRUARY 2011
51
In the serene, protected waters of North Sound, nature created the perfect deepwater sanctuary. We took it from there. We’re pleased to introduce the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Marina Virgin Gorda, a state-of-the-art superyacht marina developed by Victor International. The marina will offer up to 38 slips for mega yachts ranging in size from 30 to 100 meters. Situated in a protected harbor, it is the ideal Caribbean base from which yacht owners can experience the beautiful cruising and racing waters throughout the BVI and beyond. A beautiful clubhouse is scheduled to open by late 2011. Operated in partnership with the storied Mediterranean club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, it will be a place where the grand tradition of yachting is celebrated throughout the year. www.yccsmarina.com
harbourmaster@yccsmarina.com
284.495.5400
The Yacht Costa Smeralda Marina Virgin Gorda is partnered with Oil Nut Bay resort, a prestigious Victor International resort community and Biras Creek, A Relais and Chateau resort.
www.OilNutBay.com / www.Biras.com
52
BVI PROPERTY & YACHT
Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.