REALLIFE Winter 2011 by REAL LIFE Caribbean

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raditionally, the New Year is about fresh starts, renewed commitments and examining the year past. Here at REAL LIFE (RL) we are no different, except that after a long year we might be found reflecting at the beach, sundowner in hand. Looking back on 2010 I am struck by what a full year it was for us at RL, not only did we celebrate our fifth anniversary in the fall, but we moved offices, welcomed new team members into the fold – my son included – and bid farewell to others. This issue of RL brims full of shining examples of people and places who did the year proud. Fifteen years in the making, the re-development of GoldenEye is yet another example of Chris Blackwell’s Midas touch. Our intrepid in-house writer, Juliet Austin, flew to Jamaica to spend some time with Blackwell, getting an insider’s take on his colourful life, eclectic career and discovering what makes him tick. Read about Juliet’s journey on page 42. When it comes to pursuing one’s passion, St Kitts artist, Kate Spencer, whose work graces page 56, is an inspiration to those reluctant to take a leap of faith. Four years ago she threw off the proverbial shackles, trading the title of businesswoman for that of artist and has been revelling in her true calling ever since. And it shows. Our Showcases in this issue reflect the Caribbean’s architectural diversity. In Turks and Caicos, Windermere House on page 16 is a show-stopping harmony of architectural lines while our St Kitts Showcase on page 26 was inspired by the desire to embrace a life less cluttered.

It is hard to believe, but it was a year ago today that RL expanded its reach from three Caribbean islands to sixteen, and branched into areas of the US, Canada and UK. Despite a tough economic year, we continued to grow and have introduced new editorial features such as “24 Hours in” – this issue highlights the diversity and excitement of The Bahamas on page 53. We have also funked up our Profiles – make sure to check them out inside. 2010 saw us expanding the RL family with our recently landed Account Handler, Maya Ogorzalek and Web Genius, Andrew Forster. But it is with great sadness that we bid farewell to one of the longest-standing members of the RL team, our Sales Director, Claire Harris. After over four years leading us through multiple expansions and developments, Claire has made the bold decision to spend more time with her expanding family. Yes, she is expecting baby number two! Claire will be sorely missed. Putting a magazine together is a collaborative and sometimes chaotic effort. It demands imagination and resourcefulness – especially in the Caribbean. With that in mind, I would like to thank all of our contributors and the RL team who continually pulled together time and time again to make REAL LIFE a reality.

Happy New Year, I hope you enjoy this issue!

contributors’ bios DR. MICHAEL CONNORS A fine and decorative arts scholar, antiquarian and thirty-year veteran in his field, Michael received his Ph.D. from New York University, where he taught for fifteen years. Having established Michael Connors International Inc. in the 1980s, Michael’s comprehensive authority has made him a key resource for dealers, designers, private collectors and museums alike. Turn to page 64 to read our review of his latest book and enter to win a signed copy.

www.reallifecaribbean.com Vol 6, issue #1 Winter 2011

PUBLISHER

mc2 Ltd Melanie Roddam melanie@reallife.ky

TULLY CORNICK Heading up the Corporate Finance division of KPMG in the Cayman Island and BVI, Tully has been advising private and public sector clients since 2000. Before coming to Cayman, he worked in London with KPMG Corporate Finance and, before that, with Citi Capital Strategies in the USA. Tully’s experience includes advising clients on acquisitions or disposals, debt and equity fundraising, strategic options reviews and valuations. On page 70 Tully examines the economic forecast for 2011 and what it means for the Caribbean region. JOHN DOAK, ARCHITECT Calling the Cayman Islands home since 1979, ‘Imagineer’ John formed his own firm, John Doak Architecture, in 2001. With an emphasis on constructing buildings that respect local vernacular style, he is proud to perpetuate the cultural legacy of the islands in which he works. When not at the office, John can be found blasting Pavarotti while relaxing with his family, rum in hand. Find out more about John and his firm on page 63. RICHARD FINNEGAN, ARCHITECT Canadian-born and trained, Richard practiced with modernist firm di Castri Architects and taught at the Pacific Design College before relocating to the British Virgin Islands in 1998 to work as a Director at RDP Architects, Engineers + Interiors. An advocate of preserving heritage structures in the Virgin Islands, Richard is also committed to designing new buildings that are socially, economically and environmentally responsible. An aficionado of all things vintage, in his spare time Richard can be found tooling around in his classic car or maintaining his forty year old sailboat. Read what Richard has to say about the future of Caribbean architecture on page 61. MARCIA MILLGATE A resident of the Cayman Islands for the past thirteen years, Canadianborn Marcia is a fulltime ‘domestic goddess’ to her three children and has a keen interest in the arts. A volunteer for the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands and the Central Caribbean Marine Institute, she loves to run and travel whenever possible. This past year she carved out her own aerie above her garage where she is pursuing her passion for painting and all things creative. In this issue Marcia wets her feet with RL and reviews St Kitts artist, Kate Spencer, on page 56.

EDITORIAL

Editor Kyle Fulton kyle@reallife.ky

Writer Juliet Austin juliet@reallife.ky

SALES & MARKETING

Sales Director Melanie Roddam melanie@reallife.ky

Senior Account Executive Kimberley Bentley kimberley@reallife.ky

ART

Senior Designer Mike Johnston mike@reallife.ky

Designer Jaime Doak jaime@reallife.ky

CONTRIBUTORS

Dr. Michael Connors Tully Cornick John Doak Richard Finnegan Marcia Millgate Willa Tavernier Simon Watson WEBSITE

Website Administrator Andrew Forster andrew@reallife.ky

DISTRIBUTION CONTACT

Kyle Fulton kyle@reallife.ky

WILLA TAVERNIER A Senior Associate with law firm O’Neal Webster in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) since 2004, Willa grew up in St Kitts and Nevis. A nomad at heart, Willa chose to study in Barbados, Jamaica, Washington and Europe before settling in BVI. When not travelling abroad, Willa can be found planning her next adventure or entertaining at home. In this issue Willa outlines the legal ins and outs of buying property in BVI on page 72. SIMON J. WATSON BSC IRRV (HONS) FRICS PARTNER A practicing Chartered Valuation Surveyor for over twenty years, a founding Board Member of the regional chapter of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, RICS Caribbean, and the first accredited RICS Assessor in Valuations in the region, Simon put his experience to good use as a founding partner of Charterland Ltd. Originally from England, he now lives permanently in the Cayman Islands and is an ardent Clash fan. Learn more about Simon and Charterland Ltd. on page 69.

The views expressed within this publication do not reflect those of mc2 Ltd, REALlife magazine or their employees. mc2 Ltd. and REALlife magazine accept no responsibility for the views contained herein. Published quarterly. © 2011 mc2 Ltd.

t. 345.946.1220 f. 345.946.1221 www.mc2.com.ky ADVERTISE WITH US For details of our extremely cost effective rates, or if you are interested in contributing editorial, please contact our sales team. Email: ads@reallife.ky Tel: 1 345.943.REAL Skype: reallifecaribbean

contents 26

Hip to be Square

Windswept Villa

Quartz in the Spotlight

In a mathematical coup d’état, Windermere House in Turks and Caicos gets to the square root of contemporary Caribbean style.

Where lofty mountain peaks plummet into a cerulean sea on St Kitts’ Sandy Bank Bay, one idyllic home plays harbinger to the landscape of the soul.

Now, thanks to a gem of an idea by CaesarStone, she can have gemstones wherever she goes.

12 32

Industry News

Must-Haves Sumptuous Sunbeds

24 H O U R S

in BAHAMAS T H E

The Bahamas has a plethora of activities to offer any visitor.

61 The Spirit of this Caribbean Place The last in our three part series on Caribbean architecture: the balancing act of past, present and future.

Flip Flops and Laptops

Kate Spencer

Hometown Glory

Innovator, Translator, Mogul, Creator, Rich Man, Wise Man, Visionary… Chief! The legendary Chris Blackwell introduces us to his Jamaica.

Kittitian artist, Kate Spencer, embraces her calling and unleashes a Caribbean soul she can barely control.

Camana Bay in Grand Cayman unveils its residential release and shares a 21st century perspective on what it means to be home again.

PROFILES John Doak – 63 Simon Watson – 69 Willa Tavernier – 72

70 Real Report Green Shoots in 2011

64 The House Whisperer Dr. Michael Connors’ latest visual extravaganza, British West Indies Style, unlocks the historical treasures of the English Caribbean.

Tully Cornick, of KPMG, examines the economic forecast for 2011 and discusses how the Caribbean region must plan ahead in order to capitalise on any upswing.

Real Estate Section

80 Directory and Useful Numbers

12 | INDUSTRY NEWS

EuroGroup Continues to Excel USA EuroGroup International, Inc is one of the world’s only exclusive companies that has worked with the likes of the Trump Organisation, The W Hotels as well as some of the most prolific designers and architects around the globe. To its A-list clients, EuroGroup defines the ultimate in custom cabinetry. As an innovator in the industry, professionals such as designers, architects, developers and construction companies alike turn to EuroGroup’s designs for their projects in the United States, Caribbean and around the world. Founded in 1999, EuroGroup found its niche specialising in turnkey installations for all applications, most notably highrise apartments and condominiums, commercial buildings, hotels and condo-hotels, multi and single-family homes, casinos and department stores. EuroGroup offers middle to high-end modern and classical designs of superior craftsmanship where cabinetry is designed and cut in Italy and sent to the company’s headquarters in Miami for assembly in their 350,000 square foot showroom before being shipped directly to any job site around the world. For more information please call 305.513.0066 or visit www.eurogroupintl.com

Secret Harbour Comes to Life CAYMAN ISLANDS Construction of Secret Harbour at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is now underway. Secret Bay is the newest phase of the existing water-based community which has been inspired by the world’s greatest maritime villages. “We’ve started construction and we look forward to finishing up the first group of buildings very soon,” commented developer Mike Ryan. “The final, streamlines designs have shortened the construction process so we are now looking at 24 to 30 months.”

Dragon Bay developer Mike Ryan (left) with project manager Eric Kline at the Secret Harbour site.

CARIBBEAN REGION TUUCI, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative shade structures, has won the 2010 Design Excellence Award for shade products for it’s newest parasol – the Plantation MAX Classic. “The addition of the Plantation MAX Classic was a natural next step to our selection of MAX products,” said Dougan Clarke, founder and CEO of TUUCI. “Its combined strength and beauty create the perfect parasol for cool shade with a warm ambiance.”

Secret Harbour will feature unique Harbour Loft residences inspired by Mike’s sailing expeditions. Exceptional features include soaring 12-foot ceilings,10foot glass walls overlooking the water, floating staircases and expansive outdoor spaces including roof decks with panoramic views. The interiors by the award-winning D’Aquino Monaco design team feature clean, open spaces with abundant natural light creating a look that is both modern and fresh yet elegant and timeless.

Utilising ‘New World’ materials to portray ‘Old World’ charm, the Plantation MAX Classic features TUUCI’s exclusive Aluma-TEAK. This state-of-the-art hardwood finish together with a durable Armor-WallAluminum™ construction results in a product that is resistant to all types of seaside corrosion while maintaining a long-grain hardwood appearance. Based in Miami, FL, TUCCI’s Shadow Works division strives to fit their product design into different landscapes suitable for any environment in the world. The result is an extensive product line of shade platforms including parasols, pavilions, cabanas, lounges and marine applications.

For more information call 345.815.7777 or email sales@residences-cayman.com

For more information visit www.tuuci.com or www.facebook.com/TUUCIshade

Fourth Custom Villa Underway on Sundance Ridge ST. KITTS The Estates on Sundance Ridge, on the Southeast Peninsula of the beautiful island of St. Kitts, has announced the completion of yet another upscale luxury villa within the spectacular gated island community. With nearly 16,000 sq. ft. of living space, the villa sits 540 feet above sea level with panoramic vistas over the water from expansive verandas and an infinity edge pool. A fourth custom villa is now underway with an expected completion date of October 2011. A total of fifteen villas will be built according to the company’s mission: “Fine villas custom designed for the best in island living.” Ownership in The Estates on Sundance Ridge qualifies buyers to apply for the St. Kitts Economic Citizenship Programme making it a prime investment opportunity. For more information visit www.sundanceridgestkitts.com.

New TUUCI Parasol, Wins Design Award

Luis Pons D-Lab Creates a New Tropical Design for Hotel Guanahani ST. BARTS The Hotel Guanahani, set on the stunning cliffs of the Grand Cul-de-Sac on St. Barts, will reopen later this month with the first phase of its renovation completed. This phase includes interior renovation of 18 of the hotel’s existing 70 guest bungalows, the construction of two new bungalows, and installation of a custom designed line of furniture. “Hotel Guanahani presented the opportunity to create an atmosphere that celebrates a new kind of tropical design,” said Luis Pons, principal of Luis Pons D-Lab, a design first based in Miami. When people stay at Hotel Guanahani I want them to feel very strongly that they are in a particular place with its own history and culture, its own authentic nature.” Future phases of the renovation of the existing bungalows at Hotel Guanahani will create larger living and sleeping areas and private gardens. For more information visit www.luisponsd-lab.com

INDUSTRY NEWS | 13

Downsview Kitchens Celebrates 43rd Year CARIBBEAN REGION Downsview Kitchens has successfully celebrated its 43rd year serving the American and Caribbean markets. Through the years Downsview has proudly assembled a remarkable team of designers, technicians, craftsmen, finishers, and artisans who together have made the company one of the industry’s leading custom furnishing manufacturers. The company has now developed a custom line of bedroom furnishing that includes walk-in closets and wardrobes. Traditional craftsmanship has been combined with the latest technologies to create unique closets and wardrobe systems. A team of professional designers and support staff provides a superior service to residential projects for distinguished and prominent homeowners throughout the Caribbean. Downsview products are available through two factory showrooms in Florida, and showrooms respectively in The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. For further information visit www.downsviewkitchens.com

The Grove Show Home Now Open BARBADOS The Grove is the residential aspect of Limegrove Lifestyle Centre, a unique Caribbean development providing an extraordinary lifestyle, as well as an excellent investment opportunity. Designed as a landmark tropical living environment, the residences within The Grove will feature lush gardens and communal park-like spaces, along with inspirational architecture. The Hillside Villas have a unique open design, conceived by Robertson Ward Architects, which incorporate swimming pools into the living area. The exterior architecture represents a modern take on traditional design that complements the surroundings, and the interior spaces are inspired by urban lofting, with high ceilings allowing for plenty natural light. Situated in Holetown, St James, Limegrove occupies 10 acres within the embrace of one of Barbados’ oldest settlements – the site where the English first came ashore in Barbados in 1627. Today Holetown is a heritage site and a compact but busy hub – the heart of the island’s dynamic West Coast, which stretches for 10 miles from the planned Four Seasons Resort in the south through to Port St Charles Marina in thenorth. For more information call 246.432.0840 or visit www.altmanbarbados.com

Four Seasons to Re-start BARBADOS Recent news from Paradise Beach Limited, the developers of the Four Seasons Barbados, announced the agreement of a re-financing package to enable the re-commencement of construction works at the Four Seasons Private Residences on Clearwater Bay in the fashionable West Coast area of Barbados. New consultant appointments are currently being made with a view to works starting on site towards the end of 1st quarter 2011. Funding for the development has been arranged through ANSA McAL merchant bank from Trinidad, with the Barbados Government providing a $60m security package to enable the re-financing to be agreed. Local Barbados based consultants BCQS International have been appointed as Cost Managers for the construction works. For more information visit: www.paradisebeachltd.com

R.A. Shaw Designs Ltd. Awarded at Americas’ Property Awards TURKS & CAICOS The results of the Americas Property Awards in association with Bloomberg Television have been announced, putting an elite number of leading companies firmly in the global limelight. The event is part of the International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious competition dedicated to finding the best real estate professionals across the globe. One of these rightly proud winners is R.A. Shaw Designs Ltd. which has won an award in the category of RESIDENTIAL BEST ARCHITECTURE. The fact that R.A. Shaw Designs Ltd. has won one of these coveted awards is proof that the Turks & Caicos Islands is not only capable of competing at this level but also triumphing within the highly competitive Americas’ property arena. Ronald A. Shaw, Principal said of winning the award, “With recognition comes gratification. To be recognized locally is very rewarding, but to be acknowledged on an international stage is the ultimate measure of gratification. On the flip side, I am grateful for all the efforts of my staff and consultants for their hard work and dedication that helped to make the Turtle Breeze Villa the world class residence that it is”. For further information call 649.941.4394 or email Ron@RAShawDesigns.com

Victor International Announces Partnership with Yacht Club Costa Smeralda BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Victor International is pleased to announce a new partnership with the renowned Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), to create a new yacht club & marina in North Sound, British Virgin Islands. The inauguration date for YCCS Virgin Gorda is scheduled for March 2011, in conjunction with the inaugural Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous, taking place from March 16-20, 2011 and organized in partnership with YCCS and Boat International Media. “We are honored to be partnering with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda,” said David V. Johnson, chairman of Victor International. “We have combined the finest real estate marine property in the Caribbean with one of the world’s leading yacht clubs with decades of tradition and sailing excellence. The YCCS Virgin Gorda and Oil Nut Bay luxury resort community will offer the highest standards and services for owners and guests, and will provide the ideal home base for cruising the Caribbean. Together they will set a new benchmark for the planning and design of a Caribbean resort destination.” For more information call 284.495.5400 or visit www.oilnutbay.com or www.yccs.com

14 | INDUSTRY NEWS

Floral Arts Celebrates 30 Years THE BAHAMAS Established in 1979, Floral Arts is now celebrating over 30 years in the events industry with a host of new celebrity clients, such as Martha Stewart and Colin Cowie in their address book. Michelle White has maintained a relationship with clients, some who have been revisiting them for decades and making them one of the leading special events companies in the Bahamas. Famous for their exotic florals from around the globe, as well as specialty linens and elegant furnishings, Floral Arts are the preferred supplier to exclusive venues including Atlantis and the One&Only Ocean Club. With 30 plus employees, they are more than adept to create any picture perfect event. For more information visit www.floralartsbahamas.com

2010 Governor’s Award for Design and Construction Excellence Announces Two Winners CAYMAN ISLANDS The Cayman Society of Architects, Surveyors & Engineers (CASE) and the Cayman Contractors Association (CCA), in conjunction with His Excellency Governor Duncan Taylor, CBE are proud to announce the recipients of the 2010 Governor’s Award for Design and Construction Excellence in the Cayman Islands – Elmslie Memorial Church and Camana Bay Town Centre. The winners were selected from 34 submissions that represented a diverse variety of projects from modern buildings to heritage projects. “I was extremely impressed with the quality of the projects that were submitted and shortlisted,” said Governor Taylor. “It was very difficult to choose just one project as both the Elmslie Church and Camana Bay Town Centre exemplify what the award stands for – Design and Construction Excellence. These two particular projects although built almost 90 years apart – were (and are) ahead of their time with regards to sustainability and design.”

Island Air Evening of Luxury – spring 2011 CAYMAN ISLANDS The annual Island Air Evening of Luxury collaboration between Island Air, NetJets, The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Camana Bay and Fidelity – is set to take place on the 4th February 2011 in Grand Cayman. At the invitation only event, guests have the opportunity to learn more about NetJets® Fractional Aircraft Ownership and the Marquis Jet CardsSM* whilst viewing the latest and greatest planes, cars, boats, fine jewellery, watches and other luxury items while sipping fine champagne, wines or cocktails and enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres. For more information please email julieb@islandair.ky or call 345.949.5252.

CAYMAN ISLANDS Stafford Flooring has provided residential and commercial flooring solutions (materials, labour and consulting) for clients in Bermuda, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and the Bahamas over the last 23years and felt it was now time to open a second showroom in Governor’s Square, Grand Cayman that offers all types of flooring products including; wood flooring (solid and engineered), porcelain and ceramic tile, laminate, resilient flooring (sheet and tile), epoxy and commercial carpet. Owner Randy Stafford, the first ever National Wood Flooring Association Hardwood Flooring Inspector in the Caribbean, heads up the Cayman office working with manufacturer trained installation technicians and sales staff that are all National Wood Flooring Association Hardwood Flooring Sales Counselors. Stafford Floorings motto is, “Floors for life” as they continue to offer their clients products that provide both quality and value for money. Working with their industry partners and National Trade Bodies, they are constantly evolving in an effort to keep their product lines fresh and relevant in today’s ever changing market.

The Award ceremony took place at the Governor’s House along with honourable guests, industry professionals and the Award sponsors Kirk Home Centre/Kirk Enterprises, Cox Lumber Co., Cayman National, AL Thompson’s Home Depot, CL Flowers and Sons, MC2 Design Group, REAL LIFE Magazine, National Concrete, Cayman First and Cayman Airways. To view a complete listing of the short listed projects and learn more about 2011 Governor’s Award (in June 2011), please visit www.GovernorsAward.ky

Stafford Flooring Opens New Showroom

For more information on Stafford Flooring visit www.staffordflooring.com

WIN

Dr. Michael Connors’ latest visual extravaganza, “British West Indies Style” The Caribbean ‘house whisperer’ turns the spotlight on the British West Indies in his latest tome, to examine the interiors, architecture, furniture, and lifestyle of the English colonial great houses and historic townhouses found in the islands of Antigua, Jamaica, Barbados and beyond. Featuring rare collections from over fifty private homes, West Indian decorative arts scholar Michael Connors takes readers on an intimate, photographic journey. Turn to page 64 to read our review of his book. To enter the contest visit www.reallife.ky/Connors To learn more about Dr. Connors visit www.michaelconnorsantiques.com

INDUSTRY NEWS | 15

UBS (Bahamas) Ltd. Partners with the Minnis Family to Host a Bahamian Art Exhibition THE BAHAMAS UBS (Bahamas) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the UBS Group with over 42 years as a local partner, recently partnered with the Minnis Family to host a truly unique and rarely experienced Bahamian Art Exhibition. The fourday exhibition held in November featured breath taking paintings and life-like ceramic sculptures in the newly constructed UBS Annex Building, located just behind the institution’s primary business office. The Minnis family of artists spanning two generations of artistic expression, worked closely with UBS’ representatives to deliver an event befitting both partners. Local collectors, aspiring artists, students and the general public alike were afforded the opportunity to witness first hand the family’s artwork, as it had been almost five years since the family last participated in an organised exhibition of their work. UBS (Bahamas) Ltd. through Mr. Juerg Haller, Head of Wealth Management International and Mr. Beat Paoletto, CEO of the Bahamian subsidiary, expressed their satisfaction with the event. They commented on the similarities shared between the delivery of top tier banking services and the preparation of quality art as both disciplines require significant attention to detail and constant consideration of society’s ever changing needs and perspectives. For more information call 242.394.9300 or visit www.ubs.com/bahamas

Knight Frank and IRG Celebrate 10 Years in Affiliation CAYMAN ISLANDS IRG, Knight Frank’s Cayman Affiliate, celebrated 10 years of working together in November 2010. The anniversary was marked with an evening of drinks and canapés at the Residences at the RitzCarlton, Grand Cayman. Jeremy Hurst, IRG’s owner, spoke at the event, “We are delighted to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of our partnership with Knight Frank, having been a founder member of the Knight Frank Caribbean Network a decade ago. We have greatly enjoyed the past 10 years and have found the membership of their Global network highly valuable not only in terms on generating business, but also in our ability to offer our clients a truly global perspective to their real estate needs.” As one of the world’s most successful financial centres and still a zero tax jurisdiction, The Cayman Islands is a highly attractive destination for high net-worth investors and residents from throughout the world.

Eddie, Nicole, Roshanne and Ritchie Minnis with guest artist, Tamara Russell

“Creation’s Glory” by Eddie Minnis

For further information please visit www.Irg.ky

SQUARE p

In a mathematical coup dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ĂŠtat, Windermere House in Turks and Caicos gets to the square root of contemporary Caribbean style. Words by Juliet Austin. Photography by Tropical Imaging.

f luxe could kill, Windermere House in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, should be considered downright dangerous. Blazing the trail for contemporary Caribbean design, its sleek modernism is a bold celebration of the perpendicular and affirmation to one and all that white is the new black. Brainchild of Ron Shaw and the design cognoscenti at R.A. Shaw Designs, the private canal-front home eschews typical Caribbean forms in favour of a design aesthetic inspired by audacious geometrics and an intriguing exploration of line and point. With formulaic methodology, multiple pyramid-over-square structures create an amalgam of ‘peaks’ of varying heights and sizes. “Mimicking nature, the structures emerge from the earth at low elevations around the perimeter and rise to the centre pinnacle much like a mountain peak,” states Shaw. Coupled with the dazzling white exterior, the Bermuda roof (devoid of eaves to underscore the contemporary styling) quietly anchors the design in a Caribbean context. In addition to a two-bedroom guesthouse, the three-bedroom, fourand-a-half bathroom home boasts 5,992 square feet of orderly precision with the inventive interplay of interior and exterior spaces creating a structure that, according to Shaw, “Lives many times larger than the space simply covered by the roof.” Characterised by bisecting diagonals, rectilinear angles, crisp lines and clean points, the home asserts a restrained sophistication, conveying a sleek, understated glamour in the simplicity and candid honesty of its uncomplicated features. >

18 | CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN

“Every inch of the home involves outdoor living.” RL

NOW OR NEVER | 19

Adding an element of titillation, 90% black tinted glass, framed in black aluminium, significantly absorbs natural light from linear windows, some towering a dramatic two storeys in height. Nanawall bifolding window walls provide a uniform, clean finish, opening up the space and underscoring the uninterrupted boundaries between outside and in. Meticulously planned to facilitate ease of movement and energy between spaces, interiors seamlessly flow outdoors as seen in the kitchen where the folding glass wall opens out to create an extension of the exterior loggia. Interior Designer, Michael Brosche’s pairing of interior and exterior floor tiles and furnishings compounds this unity. As the owners state, “Every inch of the home involves outdoor living.” >

Arguably the most innovative pool design in the Caribbean, Windermere Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calling card is the stunning 150-foot aqua ribbon that begins at the entrance. Cascading from the second floor, a waterfall pools around an intriguing cubed water sculpture, winding its way 55 feet beneath the house and culminating in an infinity edge at the canal. With pool, canal and 115-foot dock tied together architecturally, oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye is drawn from a horizontal level to a vertical plane as boundaries dissolve, accentuating purity of form in all its glory. >

NOW OR NEVER | 21

22 | HIP TO BE SQUARE

Inside, large reflective milk-white floor tiles add lustre and sheen, amplifying the design scheme and providing the perfect foil for an inspired stitching of clear glass floor panels which reveal piercing glimpses of aquamarine underfoot and create the effect of hovering on air. A glass and chrome motif emphasises the contemporary drama of the abode,

HIP TO BE SQUARE | 23

building lines and minimising distraction while occasional sand tones add warmth. Driven by clean lines and minimalist forms, furnishings throughout are in-built with floating cabinetry and chairs raised off the floor, while architectural interest is underscored in the recessed square ceiling panels and reveal baseboards. The linear elegance of the interior is illuminated indirectly eliminating the need for standing lamps. At night, interior floor lights wash up the walls and outside lighting bleeds out from beneath elevated pavers encircled by white marble stones as if the earth itself is aglow. A square peg in the conventional hole of Caribbean architecture, Windermere House stands pure in uncompromising integrity of form, function and essence. Its arresting virgin faรงade and crisp interior catapulting it to the forefront in a new generation of style, it stands as incontrovertible proof that it is hip to be square.

windsweptvilla Words by Juliet Austin. Photography by Kiawah Partners.

Where lofty mountain peaks plummet into a cerulean sea on St Kitts’ Sandy Bank Bay, one idyllic home plays harbinger to the landscape of the soul.

ucked into the ancient hills, cosy harbourside and dramatic shoreline of Sandy Bank Bay, the four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom Windswept Villa borrows from the tradition of the world’s great hideaways. Expertly marrying Riviera-inspired glamour with soul-stirring Caribbean style, the new Christophe Harbour property embraces a time when the living was easy, dancing to its own gentle rhythm and promising a lifestyle of serenity far, far from the madding crowds. Set astride the Atlantic and Caribbean Seas on the leeward island’s south-eastern peninsula, Windswept Villa’s 3,893 square feet of drama play out against a rugged, romantic terrain where tropical hillsides swell from the ocean floor like the undulating crest of a giant sea monster. With architectural design courtesy of Stephen Herlong of Charlestonbased Herlong & Associates, Windswept Villa’s site responsive design and casual elegance allow for the purest form of living. >

Above: Maximising indoor and outdoor living, the deep verandah is the perfect place to enjoy a meal or take in the breathtaking views of the tropical hills in the distance.

Following Page: The open-plan kitchen blends the streamlined modernity of Siematic cabinetry and Viking appliances with neutral tones to enhance overall spaciousness.

WINDSWEPT VILLA | 29

Drawn by the connection to the great outdoors, it took only one weekend visit to convince the owners to high-tail it out of their frenetically-paced lives and move in to paradise. Here, gazing out over the endless horizon, life became

simple; priorities suddenly clear. “We knew that we could raise our children here without the need for too many ‘screens’ (TV, computer, Playstation) – that we could allow them to actually be children.” Recharging only their own batteries, the family’s rejuvenating retreat set a new pace of life – one they thought was long-gone. Taking refuge in the soaring hills, the sympathetic design provides a layout that “accommodates the sandy feet and book bags of our children.” And, as if blown in on the warm tradewinds, a new rhythm of life evolves, inspired by the simple indigenous forms at the heart and soul of the Caribbean story. According to Herlong, “A keen understanding of the light and breezes shaped the arrangement of spaces as we created both leeward and windward outdoor living areas.” A massing effect and wide roof overhangs, combine with a soft curvature, to allow the roof to envelop and protect the home, providing shade >

“We knew that we could raise our children here... that we could allow them to actually be children.”

30 | WINDSWEPT VILLA

“It was essential to find the right balance and make sure that the furnishings didn’t overpower the house, but rather complemented the relaxed feel.” and shadow, and creating a harmonious home that nestles into its surroundings. Wooden wallaba shakes, Messel-green shutters and archways of locally-hewn stone anchor the villa in its setting, while indoor and outdoor spaces fluidly merge via broad pocket doors that feed out onto shady, natural stone decks and patios – perfectly at one with the ebb and flow of island life. Open-plan main living areas, designed to foster a relaxed and inviting ambience, seem to live and breathe in their natural environment, expanding to bring the charm of the island indoors. An outside living room, complete with curtains that waft in the warm breezes and plush seating so perfect for curling up with a good book, blur the distinction further. Clerestory windows frame views past the verandah to the pool and hillside beyond, while stucco walls combine with an organic palette of neutral colours, mahogany wood finishes and durable ceramic and stone flooring to create a home that, according to Susan Ford, Materials’ Coordinator, “flows clean.” With island chic interiors by St Kittsbased Allison Elebash of Allison Elebash Interiors, the comfort and serenity of personalised living spaces transition effortlessly outside. According to Elebash, “It was essential to find the right balance and make sure that the furnishings didn’t overpower the house, but rather complemented the relaxed feel.” Uncluttered, airy rooms blend classical elements with colour accents in aqua, green, yellow and coral. Soft linen draperies are trimmed in subtle tones, while natural woven shades and the muted geometrics of an antique Kars Kilim rug perpetuate the earthy vibe. Inspired

CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN | 31 HIP TO BE SQUARE

Left: Illuminating the shabby-chic slip-covered furnishings is a chandelier fashioned from the staves and hoops of a reclaimed wine barrel. Top: A smattering of custom-mounted indigenous botanical prints courtesy of local artist, Claudia Amory, frame an antique French mirror and turtle shell.

by natural textures, tones and colours reminiscent of the design ethic of India Hicks, Elebash’s pairing of old and new gives the abode an almost tangible sense of ‘soul’, creating the illusion of an accumulation of objects over time. Bathed in natural light, high-vaulted ceilings, exposed whitewashed beams and creamy walls create an exotic haven at one with the inherent beauty of this soul-stirring sanctuary. “I wanted,” states the designer, “a house that instantly felt like home.” With its elegant simplicity and native character, Windswept Villa’s sympathetic design grows out of the landscape, its proportions and lines artfully composed to mirror the beauty of its natural surroundings. Perfectly attuned to the easy living of the Caribbean, it is a place of soul asylum, celebrating the best that coastal living has to offer.

32 | MUST-HAVES

S U N B E D S

UMPTUOUS By Kyle Fulton

1. SQUARE CHAIR Take your yard to the third power with Kuboletto’s cubes. Capable of countless configurations, and available in a rainbow of colours, the chameleon-like cushion blocks add flare to the great outdoors. www.bonbon.co.uk

4. TEETER SEATER Containing universal nautical themes, David Trutbridge’s Body Raft is a rocking chaise that will leave your limbs longing to lounge. The sublimely sophisticated design, constructed from solid beechwood fillets, is a timeless treasure that will have you on your back in no time. www.unicahome.com

2. MERCURY RISING When the mercury rises you will be made in the shade with this pagoda-inspired sun bed. Sun smart and stylish, this room with a view allows you to draw the curtains for a nap in the lap of luxury for a fine recline. www.tuuci.com

5. CLIP TRIP Moulded from a single piece of high-tech carbon fibre, the Le Clip Sun Lounger is paper-thin and seductively simple. This is one sun bed you will be eager to fasten your seat to. www.glynpetermachin.com

3. CRISS CROSS Jump up! Jump up! And get down… on Patricia Urquiola’s vibrant Tropicalia lounger. Weaving brilliantly coloured polymer threads around a tubular steel structure, this is one distinctive lounger sure to chaise away the blues. www.moroso.it

6. WAVEY DAYS Wile away the afternoon in woven wonder with Madame Dakar. A design delight, this fun in the sun over-sized chair, available in a kaleidoscope of colours, will have you in stitches. www.moroso.it

Quartz in the spotlight

Rings on her fingers and bells on her toesâ&#x20AC;Ś. Now, thanks to a gem of an idea by CaesarStone, she can have gemstones wherever she goes. Words by Juliet Austin

Having pioneered quartzite surfaces since its inception on an Israeli kibbutz in 1987, California-based CaesarStone boasts the largest semi-precious stone surface collection on the market. Blazing a trail in innovative design, its newest inspirational collections, Concetto and Motivo, push the bounds of creativity to parade a tiptop line-up in Ăźber-luxurious stone surface art. With Florida its strongest market presence, those in the Caribbean with discerning tastes and an appetite for the extraordinary may just have stumbled upon design nirvana. >

Previous page: Clockwise from left: Tiger Eye, Amethyst Back Light, Gray Agate, Motivo Croc and Pink Quartz. Above: Clockwise from left: Motivo Lace Vanity, Blue Tiger Eye, White Quartz, Amethyst Viola Table and Daniel Germani’s Credenza with Tiger Eye detail. Opposite page: Clockwise from left: Rose Quartz, Motivo Croc, Motivo Lace – The Great Bathroom, Petrified Wood Classic. Below: Rose Quartz grown on a chair.

Surface Appeal In perfect synchronicity with leading fashionistas and design principals, the Concetto collection answers demand for something spectacular and edgy in high-end décor. Strutting its stuff with a selection of nineteen semi-precious stones, hand-cut and embedded in polymer resin, each bespoke surface is akin to, “an original work of art in every slab.” Living large at last year’s Annual Academy Awards, Concetto’s unforgettable 1,100 lb Hematite masterpiece bar graced the exclusive backstage lounge for Oscar presenters and honourees, proof to any doubters of its immense design clout. Combining the innate brilliance of nature, artisanship and cutting-edge technology, raw materials are sourced from licensed quarries as far a-field as Israel, Brazil and Madagascar, including Brown Agate, traditionally sought after for its protective powers,

luminous White Quartz, radiating purity and serenity, and beguiling Tiger Eye, thought to raise energy levels and enhance concentration. Kiln-cured and polished to a lustrous and enduring shine, these “gifts from nature” suit a diversity of design applications from kitchen and bathroom surfaces to walls, floors and furniture. Non-porous and highly heat, stain and scratch resistant due to its hardness rating of seven on the Mohs scale, translucent designs even lend themselves to atmospheric backlighting, creating a three dimensional, opaque effect– aweinspiringly beautiful with an unmatched timeless appeal guaranteed to transcend any utilitarian function. Whether used as a stunning entranceway, eye-catching backsplash or elegant vanity, Concetto’s versatile

QUARTZ IN THE SPOTLIGHT | 37

surfaces guarantee to transform any room from humdrum to haute couture. Incorporating stunning bands and contours of Tiger Eye inlays into his latest limited edition furniture line, designer Daniel Germani states, “Each surface tells a story… thousands of years in the making. And just when you thought they had reached their creative apex… comes Motivo. Leather & Lace Bursting onto the scene in August 2009, Motivo’s show-stopping textured finishes are wildly avante-garde, providing a striking visual and tactile experience and upping the ante on glamour. Developed in response to an upsurge in consumer demand for patterned wallpapers and fabrics, their groundbreaking embossed designs use patented technology to apply pattern to durable quartz surfaces… no seams, no grout, no paste and with the surety of a residential lifetime warranty.

Using a polishing method involving brushes that probe different depths, and contrasting matte and gloss finishes, intricate motifs add character, dimension and intrigue to interiors like Crocodile – Motivo’s daring finish with its hip, leather-like appearance in exotic black or its antithesis, Lace, which balances traditionalism with trendsetting, courtesy of its delicate, white floral tracery. It may well be mind-blowing to imagine a product with such boundless versatility that it can be all things to all people, yet, in the hands of elite designers and forwardthinking architects, quartz’s finger-onthe-pulse wow factor has proven its power on the design scene time and again. Looking into the future, it is crystal clear quartz will continue to court an adoring fanbase and, in doing so, carve out a niche for itself as the surface that rocks.

Innovator, Translator, Mogul, Creator, Rich Man, Wise Man, Visionaryâ&#x20AC;Ś Chief! The legendary Chris Blackwell introduces us to his Jamaica. Words by Juliet Austin

‘‘

’’ I

n the interest of full disclosure, I ought to confess to being a die-hard U2 fan, longing for the day I am plucked from the moshpit by Bono. Not one to succumb readily to nerves, I also admit to a few twinges of anxiety as Maguiva winds our taxi around hairpin bends atop death-defying drops on our way up to Jamaica’s luxury Strawberry Hill hotel. Making matters worse, the refrain, “Oh, you’ll never go to Heaven… in a taxi cab…” loops incessantly in my head. Forget the 3,100-foot ascent. That I can deal with. It is the thought of meeting the man behind the myth; not just the hand that has touched Bono, but the man who made Bono. I am on my way up to Heaven to sit at the right hand of…. The son of an Irish father and Costa Rican-born mother of Jamaican parentage, Chris Blackwell’s auspicious childhood in Jamaica’s ‘old country’, >

FLIP FLOPS AND LAPTOPS | 45

Opening spread: The black-bottomed infinity pool at Strawberry Hill with views out over Kingston town. Photograph by Juliet Austin. Opposite top: The legend himself, Mr. Chris Blackwell today. Photograph by Sally Henzell. Opposite bottom back: Golden records line the walls of the conference room at Strawberry Hill. Photograph by Peter Brown. Opposite bottom front (left to right): Junior Marvin, Bob Marley, Jacob Miller and Chris Blackwell. Photograph by Natalie Deleon. Above: A hammock hangs on a private verandah at Strawberry Hill, enticing one to relax and enjoy the vista. Photograph by Cookie Kinkead. Left: Up in the Blue Mountains, the heavenly Strawberry Hill estate. Photograph by Island Outpost.

FLIP FLOPS AND LAPTOPS | 47

was an experience that profoundly affected the course of his life. Despite his Harrow education, it was in his native Jamaica that he felt most at home. Inspired by the rootsy rhythms of ska music forged in the crucible of Jamaica’s backstreets and ghettoes, he began recording artists on his own independently founded label, Island Records, returning to the UK in 1962 to sell records from the back seat of his Mini Cooper to a burgeoning West Indian immigrant population eager to get its hands on sounds from home. With a genius for ferreting out new talents and trends – Island Records produced artists of the calibre of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear, Black Uhuru, as well as Steve Winwood, Roxy Music and U2 – a legend was born, propelling the unassuming man behind the music into the spotlight as one of the most influential players in music industry history. Credited with introducing

rocksteady and reggae into the mainstream, Blackwell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 by the mighty Bono himself, where he humbly thanked his people and “his country,” Jamaica. Blackwell’s loyalty to Jamaica is paramount. His British accent softened by a lyrical West Indian brogue, he says: “Jamaicans are very generous, funny people. I’d like to think I’m one of them.” Driving through Kingston, observing its industrious inhabitants so adept at making silk purses out of sows’ ears, I wonder whether this is indicative of Blackwell’s penchant for hitting the creative bullseye time and time again. Like a mystical diviner, during his music mogul days, he invested in real estate. Perhaps driven to create something solid and permanent in contrast to the ethereal legacy of music, he set his sights on nine rundown Art Deco hotels in

Miami, transforming them with his signature low-key luxury into a mecca for affluent South Beach crowds. Recognised as having helped revitalise Miami’s South Beach with his individualistic boutique approach, it also proved to be the seed of a luxuryhotel empire that would later become Island Outpost. Other properties followed – Pink Sands and Compass Point in The Bahamas – but Jamaica owned his heart, calling Blackwell back to its shores where, in 1972, he acquired Strawberry Hill, debuting it as the first Island Outpost property in 1992. Having visited the former mountaintop estate as a child with his mother, Blanche, he felt magnetically drawn to the Blue Mountains. Here, he created a haven for artists and musicians, where for decades talents percolated and emerged unhindered. Encapsulated in the casual black and white snapshots lining the >

Cris or criss: (adj.) cool, great, fine; “Every’ting cris!”

48 | OPPOSITES ATTARACT

walls of Strawberry Hill’s legendary bar, the faces of so-called ‘A-listers’ and ‘legends’ testify to the purity of Blackwell’s intent. It is clear that, here, imposed hierarchies are meaningless. This is a place where talent matters more than Tinseltown reputations; where photographs do not steal the soul but rather, capture the magic. These artists are Blackwell’s people. I feel every nuance, every idiosyncrasy of this special place, is a mirror of the man himself. In my epiphany, I understand: CB, as he is affectionately known, collects people… it is what he does best. As long-time managers, Paula and Jonathan Surtees, show me around, I am struck by their passionate loyalty. This is no job to them. I partake in an early morning hike through the recently replanted coffee plantation, past laden mango trees and exotic shrubs bursting with blooms. The ratio of green space to buildings is staggering but, as Paula reminds me, “Strawberry Hill is about a quality of life that some people have forgotten. That is the luxury.” Looking up from the bottom of the Devil’s Steps, I reflect how Strawberry Hill alters one’s perspective. The black-bottomed, negative edge pool defies gravity, flowing seamlessly into an endless sky; casting the shutters open at dawn my head crests the clouds while, at dusk, hawks circle the valley below. Here, I can sit for hours listening to the chorus of cicadas, watching the storm clouds brew over the city below. If you want white glove service, go elsewhere. Strawberry Hill offers a different kind of luxury borne of simplicity, quality and authenticity. It is, as Blackwell states, “a place where you feel life.” Page 46 top: The interior of Cedar cottage boasts luxury Strawberry Hill style. Photograph by Peter Brown. Page 46 bottom: The Georgian-style cottage at Strawberry Hill. Photograph by Cookie Kinkead. Page 47: Blackwell’s signature rum is the ideal complement with which to enjoy the view. Photograph by Island Outpost. Above: A delightfully dilapidated door — characteristic of the atmospheric beauty found at GoldenEye. Photograph by Adrian Boot. Left: The private Fleming beach at GoldenEye. Photograph by Adrian Boot.

Obliterated in 1988 by Hurricane Gilbert, the three-hundred-year-old former coffee plantation was skilfully re-imagined in creative collaboration with deeply respected heritage architect, Ann Hodges. Initially commissioned to restore the main villa, one became two, then three and so on until the ‘new’ Strawberry Hill somewhat organically emerged. Using Hodges’ sketches, based on a contemporary interpretation of the Jamaican vernacular, craftsmen, carvers and artisans were required to

bring on board apprentices to pass on traditional techniques. Everything wooden was made in workshops and crafted by hand from mahogany fourposter beds to the unique cedar fretwork and working shutters that adorn each cottage. Do not expect air conditioning or ceiling fans – they are not needed here. At Strawberry Hill, fresh mountain air provides the coolest ‘grassroots’ luxury you could imagine. Another heart-stopping drive across to the former banana port of Oracabessa, “a magical sliver” of Jamaica’s north

shore, and I enter the wrought iron gates of Island Outpost’s iconic flagship resort, the inimitable GoldenEye. Once home to author, Ian Fleming, this is where James Bond, “icon of international cool,” was dreamed into being; where Bond girls Pussy Galore and Honey Chile were born. I descend the hallowed stone-cut steps to a platform overlooking the lagoon where CB’s jetski is tethered. ‘Very 007,’ I think. Standing there, it is easy to imagine the swashbuckling heroes and glamorous parties that played out on this spot or at Noël >

CAYMAN’S BLACK BLACK MAGIC MAGIC MAN MAN 50 | CAYMAN’S

Previous page top: A romantic bedroom villa at the existing GoldenEye reveals barefoot luxury. Photograph by Peter Brown. Previous page bottom: FieldSpa, Goldeneye’s spa, sits nestled in its lush surroundings. Photograph by Adrian Boot. Previous page top right: Fleming Villa embraces indoor/outdoor living. Photograph by Adrian Boot. Previous page second down: Lit up at night, the pool at Fleming Villa comes alive. Photograph by Island Outpost. Previous page third down: The interior of Fleming Villa, the home where author Ian Fleming wrote the James Bond series. Photograph by Cookie Kinkead. Previous page bottom right: An outdoor garden bathtub – perfect for bathing under the stars. Photograph by Adrian Boot. Above: The front patio of a new beach cottage on Low Cay Beach. Rendering courtesy of Island Outpost. Right: The new beach cottages at Low Cay Beach Village. Rendering courtesy of Island Outpost.

FLIP FLOPS AND LAPTOPS | 51

Coward’s nearby home, Firefly, during Jamaica’s glory days. Acquired in 1977, the original 17-acre estate is reputedly Blackwell’s favourite property, featuring the five original – now gently refitted – water’s-edge cottages in jaunty pastels, and Fleming’s own three-bedroom cottage with private swimming pool, secluded beach cove and dreamy outdoor garden soaking tub. Naseberry, Sweetsop and Purple Starapple join trees planted by a host of celebrities – Johnny Depp, Grace Jones, the Clintons and Naomi Campbell to name a few – creating an intimate canopy over this “tribal enclave.” I spy Chris Blackwell and Ann Hodges, armed with flip flops and laptops, strategising the continued 35-acre expansion, relaunched in part in October 2010. Amid six new “sexy-andsecluded” lagoon suites and eleven beach and lagoon cottages on the 52acre site, I notice that mature trees and rock formations remain intact. Hodges’ knowledge and respect for the environment are integral elements of her portfolio: landscapes, not overly engineered, retain a romantic, organic quality completely at one with the easy

“ Good

charm and nostalgic glamour of the original resort. A beach village emerges at Low Cay with nature as the superstar: pretty cottages overlook a tiny island complete with seawater pool and a stage for entertaining. Historic forms combine with modern technologies and comforts to create an intimate retreat characterised by cedarshingled cottages, traditionally sandcast to create a patina that sparkles in the sun. Casually chic interiors by renowned interior designer Barbara Hulanicki, comprise handmade oversized furniture, billowing muslin drapes, claw-foot tubs and generous, white pickled cathedral ceilings. It is a dream of a place. Of course, Blackwell understands just the reason why: “Good hotels,” he explains, “are places where you dream of staying. Great hotels are places where you want to live.” And, were it not for two little girls awaiting my return, I am tempted to throw caution to the wind and hang up my hat. Later, we dine on the most delicious fish fry, and I am surprised. The man sitting beside me listens more than he talks. He is neither puppeteer nor

megalomaniac. I realise that I made a foolish assumption. Chris Blackwell does not take ‘nobodies’ and make them into ‘somebodies’. With him, everybody begins a ‘somebody’. As if to prove my point, Ann jokes, “Chris is as likely to ask the laundrette her opinion as he is me.” In creating places where everyday people like me, or demi-gods like Bono, are afforded the freedom to be ourselves, Blackwell dispenses with pedestals. His places are not about fast cars, fast money or fast women – as everyone keeps telling me, “This is Jamaica.” CB is more interested in doing it right, taking it slow, even if (as is the case with GoldenEye) it takes fifteen years to come to fruition. Bob Marley astutely called Chris Blackwell a “translator” and I can think of no better moniker for this deeply intuitive man. So much more than a suit in a hoodie, Blackwell looks into the heart of man and sees the communality of all people. He, of course, explains simply: “It’s like a band. It has a lead singer, but if the drummer doesn’t show up….” At aged 71, he is, I decide, the quintessential dude.

hotels are places where you dream of staying. Great hotels are places where you want to live. ”

24 H O U R S

GRAND BAHAMA

GREAT ABACO

BIMINI

NEW PROVIDENCE Nassau

ELEUTHRA

ANDROS

CAT ISLAND

in BAHAMAS T H E

Georgetown

One hour’s flight south of Miami, New Providence is the eleventh largest island and home to the exciting and eclectic capital city of Nassau. A playground to the rich and famous, The Bahamas has a plethora of activities to offer any visitor.

paradise found

GRAND EXUMA LONG ISLAND

CROOKED ISLANDS

spa-ahhhh time

Wake up slowly to the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore as you revel in your luxurious villa hideaway at the exclusive One&Only Club. Enjoy a blissful breakfast from world-class chef JeanGeorge Vongerichten served on your oceanfront balcony perched above the beach as you ponder the day ahead. www.oneandonlyresorts.com

custom concierge

Slip next door to Atlantis’ Mandara Spa for a rejuvenating Elemis massage in their 30,000square foot facility boasting 32 private treatment rooms, plunge pools, sauna and much more. Offering a wide array of exotic services based on ancient techniques from Asia, traditional European therapies and natural products indigenous to The Bahamas, you can pamper yourself for hours while marvelling at your stunning surroundings. www.mandaraspa.com

high flying Next, take to the sky in style with Odyssey, The Bahamas’ most prestigious private FBO. Hop aboard and sip champagne, letting Odyssey handle the particulars while you relax for takeoff. Lose yourself in the shifting blue panorama below as you gently soar to Odyssey’s newest location Treasure Cay, Abaco and get ready for your next adventure. www.odysseyfsp.com

Take a break from the day’s activities and head back to your villa where Platinum Pineapple, a luxury lifestyle management company, has arranged to have your favourite edibles delivered to your suite. Delivering first-class service designed to make your life easier, they save you precious time and energy, maximising your enjoyment during your stay. Dedicated to taking care of the small, but important details, they can arrange your next activity so you can remain relaxed. www.platinum-pineapple.com

yahoo wahoo

Step aboard “Reel Candy”, Captain Marvin’s 47’ luxury sport fishing boat as you go in search of Wahoo and try your hand at catching some of the best big game sportfish in the world. Chase your dream catch through the deep blue whilst listening to tales of the high seas from the crew who attend to your every whim. After a morning on the waves reeling in the ‘big one’, head back to shore for a change of pace. www.reelcandyfishing.com

wine down Nip back to the beach for dinner under the stars where Floral Arts has created an exotic haven of plush pillows, exotic flowers and twinkling candles in your own private cabana. The preferred vendor to exclusive resorts on island, Floral Arts’ decades of experience has included working with Martha Stewart and Colin Cowie, giving them an edge over the competition. Organising events from the most intimate dinner for two, to lavish, elaborate events for several hundred guests, Floral Arts prides itself on providing top-notch bespoke service. www.floralartsbahamas.com

evolutionofanartist Kittitian artist, Kate Spencer, embraces her calling and unleashes a Caribbean soul she can barely control. Words by Marcia Milgate

nsconced in the redolent grandeur of Mount Pleasant House, an old sugar plantation on the north coast of St Kitts, Kate Spencer’s modest, restored-wood studio drinks in the breathtaking ocean vistas, verdant tropical rainforests and soaring mountain ranges that inspire her art. In the Caribbean, with the salt ever-present in the air, one is either absorbed into it or rejected by it – Spencer falls unequivocally into the former category. Having led a colourful and varied life as a designer, student and businesswoman, her

lengthy journey to pursue a career as a full time professional was realised four years ago when she finally relinquished her design business for a paintbrush and made the natural transition into life as a working artist. Her English accent tempered by a characteristic Caribbean lilt, she enthuses, “There is such great satisfaction to combining colour, texture and story all in one source.” If, as great German writer and thinker, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Personality is everything in art and poetry,” >

JULIO LARRAZ – MASTER OF METAPHORS | 57

Opposite: ‘Queen’, (2010) acrylic on canvas. Above: ‘St John’, (2007) oil on canvas. Far left: ‘Last Crop’ (2008) oil on canvas. Left: ‘Night Blooming’ oil on canvas. Below: ‘Frigate Bay’ (2006) oil on canvas.

Previous Page: 'The Coven' (1980), oil. Top: 'Poeta Submarino' (2005), oil on canvas. Middle: 'The Crossing' (2004), oil. Bottom: 'A Visit to the Oracle' (2008), watercolour and pastel on paper.

58 | KATE SPENCER – EVOLUTION OF AN ARTIST

Spencer is no exception. Her enthusiasm and vitality directly translate into the bright, visceral colours of her work. Cheerful and uplifting yet peacefully warm in its application, Spencer’s oeuvre may have evolved over the years from drawing to painting, oil to acrylic and portraiture to landscape, yet one theme remains constant: her art is a reflection of the moment; a pictorial diary nourished by tropical surroundings that inspire her to capture the ever-present storyline of her daily life. “Life is a little story,” she explains. “That is the thread running from one painting to another.” Though often dominated by one colour, Spencer’s paintings are anything but monochromatic. Compelled by the intense palette of her Caribbean surroundings, her evolving approach to style and colour lend her works an almost intangible vibrancy seen even in the muted tones of older oil paintings like, ‘Last Crop’. Layering thin coats of paint over main shapes on her canvas, overlapping washes of colour become luminous, creating intensification and

Above: 'Moko Jumbies’ (2010), acrylic on board. Left: 'Solace Before Leaving’, oil on canvas. Following page: 'Self Portrait’ oil on canvas.

movement. Combined meticulously to ensure that underlying pigments are not muddied or diminished but rather strengthened, shadow and texture are often achieved via the contrasting of bright colours instead of the traditional darkening of a shade or greying-over. Though deliberate in her application, symbols are mostly random reflections of natural forms; repeating shapes used to carve out hills, distinguish walls or delineate the trunk of a palm tree, sometimes achieving an almost ‘Turtle Beach’, ‘Sandy Bay Bank’ and ‘Frigate’. Landscapes such as ‘Night Blooming’ and ‘Silver Salt Ponds’, contain design motifs that are both arbitrary and

reminiscent of Batik styles, or tartan stripes. Influenced by artists Julio Larraz and Milton Avery, Spencer manipulates the angles of her subjects on the canvas in order to gain an original perspective and placement as seen in ‘St. John’ and ‘Self Portrait’ the absence of symmetry and skewed play in her work increase the sense of movement, while the interplay of figures juxtaposed against varied shapes and decorative backgrounds create the effect of a collage cocooning her subject and telling a story. Though not bound by one theme or style at any given point, Spencer returns to the discipline of portraiture

regularly in her work. Trained in Florence in classical figurative drawing, portraits like ‘Young Morgan’ and ‘Solace’ capture a palpable emotive quality and realism, while a background in interior design provides an eye for harmony of composition. In a departure from the more subtle approach to pattern and colour inflection seen in her previous works, Spencer’s recent foray into acrylics – inspired by the “gutsy” colour combinations of Scottish artist, Barbara Rae – has lead to braver colour selections and experimentation with the decorative patterned underscores evident in her latest portrait series entitled, ‘King’, ‘Queen’ and ‘Jack’, where subjects are highlighted and, in some cases, overlaid with shapes. Not one to follow the rules to

[

the letter of the law, many of her techniques are the result of what she terms, “accidental experimentation.” “The pigments generated in acrylics are astonishing,” states Spencer, whose latest work, ‘Moko Jumbies’, reveals an explosion of each concentrated hue. If ever there were a paradigm of living one’s best life, Kate Spencer is surely it. And while you may never have set foot on her island in the sun, it is easy to be transported there through her imagery; easy to imagine her entering the tiny, wooden studio by the sea, enfolded by the old sweeping sugar fields. She inhales the tropical scented air. Dust motes glimmer on a shaft of sunlight illuminating her sacred space. Joy fills her. She picks up a brush and paints.

To view more of Kate Spencer’s work, visit: www.reallifecaribbean.com

]

CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN | 61

the spirit

of this Caribbean Place

The last in our three part series on Caribbean architecture: the balancing act of past, present and future. Words by R. Finnegan

rchitecture communicates a society’s culture, traditions and aspirations without words. Its impression shapes us as we go about our daily lives, impacting our environment and future in ways not always fully appreciated. When done properly, it possesses three attributes: reliability, utility and beauty. When done poorly, it lacks purpose, pollutes our visual environment and fails to withstand the ravages of time, Above: On the island of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, the now well established Navy Rum based pub known as Pussers [designed by RDP Architects], borrowed styles from adjacent wooden houses of prominent families that had once resided there: bright colours, wooden shutters, shingled upper floors, bright red, galvalume roofs and balconies suitable for a shady sip of a rum drink. Combined, these aesthetics ease a large commercial venture into an existing environment that resonates with the spirit of the people and the place.

becoming an eyesore on our landscape and the collective soul of society. WISDOM OF OLD Sustainable architecture in the Caribbean, like elsewhere, requires that designers respond to a particular set of social, cultural and environmental conditions; the hope being that through appropriateness and sensitivity to the environment, buildings will come to represent the community. Function must fuse with fashion, the utilitarian with the aesthetic, but in a manner that is receptive to the nuances of modern island living. In the Caribbean, we are fortunate to be able to draw upon the wisdom inherent in vernacular styles — the socalled ‘living traditions’ passed down through generations and formed by,

and in response to, a particular place. How poetic to learn the lessons of our forefathers; to use the louvered shutters, deep verandahs, inner courtyards and raised homes so well suited to both climate and environment. Once synonymous with the region, these designs, so apt to the Caribbean environment, sadly lost favour in the early twentieth century when modern architects championed an international style that promoted ‘factory made’ architecture. Comprised of clean lines and sparse surfaces, this invasive, bland style ousted living traditions, resulting in a loss of the spirit of Caribbean places and the spread of the globalised architecture of ‘anywhere’. LIVING LEGENDS Centuries of hegemonic colonialism and slavery, combined with migration of peoples between islands for economic >

investment in heritage preservation in balance with new development will lead to greater community self esteem and cultural identity, limit negative impacts on the environment, and provide long-term income generation for the local population.

reasons, have created a melting pot of cultures and formed styles unique to particular islands as well as a vernacular architecture that defines the region as a whole. Yet the desire for modern amenities (air conditioning, elevators, parking and computer networks) combined with the value of the property where heritage buildings lie often makes them a target for redevelopmentâ&#x20AC;Ś and not always in ways sensitive to the Caribbean sensibility. Sustainable development requires a variety of tactics to achieve culturally and environmentally appropriate design solutions. While it might be nice for tourists to see a man growing bananas next to his wooden house with a donkey tied out front, many locals aspire to grow, develop and have more comfortable lives. Architecture in sensitive heritage areas must, therefore, respond to the desires of the community, while realising the goals of a socially responsible and environmentally responsive design, suitable for its geography. By combining locally sourced materials, generally best suited to the climate, and tapping into local construction skills and island wisdom, one creates a building process that achieves appropriate design solutions while contributing to the fabric of the society of which it becomes a part. Pressures for development in prominent centres throughout the region must be balanced not only through sensitive emulation of style, proportion and height, but through development and reuse of existing heritage structures whenever feasible. With limited legislative and funding support from governments for

Left: Built from Coralina limestone, Ca'Liza features casement-style Bahamian shutters which protect it from strong winds during a storm, while the loggia and portico provide shady areas for year-round outdoor living. Photo by Carlos Ignacio Morales. Top: Once a common site through the Caribbean, deep verandahs were social gathering space designed to protect one from the sun and rain. Middle: Once ubiquitous throughout the Caribbean, shuttered windows provide protection from the elements. Photo by R. Finnegan. Bottom: This once prominent house in St Mary, Trinidad is the oldest in the village at just over 100 years. With its gingerbread trim, chamfered posts and shaded verandah it is a diamond in the rough awaiting its return to glory. Photo by R. Finnegan.

preservation and restoration, we risk cultural homogenisation in a rapidly shrinking world where architecture becomes solely a technical or aesthetic exercise. With every demolished structure replaced anew, we further compromise the environment through carbon released into the air from manufacturing and shipping, the erection or production of concrete and the cutting of old growth forests. There are many wonderful regional building styles that can inform us with their shapes, materials, arrangements, decorations, concepts for heating and cooling, etc. Where possible,

TURNING GREEN While typically mild, the Caribbean climate can also be unforgiving, subject to lashing rains, hurricane-force winds, the cruel sun and intense humidity. There are green lessons inherent in traditional structures, dominated as they were by designs that offered protection against the elements. Close-cropped for strength in hurricane winds, main eaves gave way to larger, lightly supported secondary eaves designed to blow away in fierce storms, leaving main structures intact. Louvered walls pivoted for shaded views or closed between chamfered posts for a more weather-tight condition in a storm, while time-tested shutters provided similar advantages and protection. A common sight in many rural areas, stilts prevented flooding, allowed airflow to cool the building and provided a shady space to do laundry. Air could flow freely through verandahs and into buildings, affording comfortable living without air conditioning and encouraging outdoor living on porches, galleries and courtyards. With increased pressure on the environment, the time is ripe for architects, designers and denizens of the Caribbean to reclaim living traditions and merge them with the benefits intrinsic in green technology (solar panels, wind power, ground source heat pumps, on-site waste management and green roofs and walls). In doing so, one can take advantage of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle while reducing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environmental footprint and incurring energy savings. Architecture is the legacy we leave behind which represents our society, culture and traditions. It is a delicate act, balancing the wisdom of the past, the technological advances of the present and the hopes and desires of a twenty-first Caribbean. The time has come to pay the piper, to appreciate architecture for its multifaceted impact, to give it its dueâ&#x20AC;Ś before the piper comes a-calling.

the house

whisperer Dr. Michael Connors’ latest visual extravaganza, British West Indies Style, unlocks the historical treasures of the English Caribbean. Words by Juliet Austin. Captions by Dr. Michael Connors. Photography courtesy of Rizzoli.

nleashing his latest lavishly illustrated coffee table tome, British West Indies Style – Antigua, Jamaica, Barbados and Beyond, the Caribbean’s very own house whisperer – decorative arts’ scholar and West Indian furniture guru, Michael Connors – takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the interiors, architecture, lifestyles and furniture of the English plantocracy era. From the birth of the British Empire to its decline in the mid 1800s, Connors’ encyclopaedic knowledge of the 450-year period of empire expansion on the ‘sugar islands’ is spellbinding. From slender Queen Anne legs discovered in former great houses to the statuesque Regency backsplashes of fine townhouses, he retraces the impact of English colonialism on Caribbean style.

THE HOUSE WHISPERER | 65

GAME ON For key European powers, the 1600s were game time in the Caribbean. Wishing to challenge Spanish claims of ownership across the region, England’s King Henry VII issued a grant to Italian explorer John Cabot to commence voyages of discovery into the New World. Wanting to secure its interests in the region, in 1624 England established a mother colony on St Kitts, adding a network of outposts throughout the Leeward Islands down into the southern Windwards. There were high profile settlements in Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia as well as the little known Bequia and Mustique, but the ultimate prize came in 1655 with the annexing of the land of milk and honey, Jamaica. The sun seemed never to set on the British Empire as transatlantic trade routes thrived, dealing in sugar, tobacco, tropical hardwoods and the human cargo necessary to fuel supply and demand. According to Connors, however, the emergent English colonial great houses and townhouses erected

REIGNING SUGAR As colonial opulence reached increasingly lavish heights, sumptuous mansions were built reminiscent of English country estates. The tempered decadence of great houses like St Kitts’ Montpelier Plantation Estate metamorphosed into “outlandish displays of wealth and amorality” on display at, amongst others, Jamaica’s infamous Rose Hall with its quintessentially English manicured gardens, stone dungeons and intricately carved mahogany woodwork. Records describe planters, “rolling in gold”; homes with ballrooms, luxurious linens, Madeira lace, fine china and glassware. In plantocracy’s heyday, splendid English furniture was flaunted > during this period represented a departure from the established social order. Based on meritocracy rather than nobility, the flamboyant abodes of the newly moneyed sugar barons, plantation elite, merchants and slave traders, were blatant displays of wealth and status.

Opposite left: A fine example of island-crafted mahogany furniture. Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Top: A pair of English Chippendale-style chairs and an island-crafted mahogany tea table at The Lemon Plantation in St Kitts. Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Above: Two 19th century mahogany and caned rocking chairs. The carved-paw front feet identify it as Bajan made. Photo by Brent Winebrenner.

66 | A TALE OF ENDURANCE CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN

as the epitome of good taste. Adorned in the latest fashions from the motherland, décor was expensive and impressive with one home reputedly boasting Damask bedspreads, silkcovered chairs, walnut cabinets and black japanned tea tables. This extravagance lead to Sir William Young’s assertion in his 1807 West India Commonplace Book that, “adventurers in trade or service on the plantation, made the phrase ‘as rich as a West Indian’ almost an eighteenth century proverb.” IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT… What they had not anticipated, however, was that, when faced with intense heat, humidity and vermin, English roses are inclined towards wilting. With materials not faring well in the Tropics, estate owners turned to their enslaved workforce to construct furniture better suited to local conditions. Substituting local hardwoods, slaves and their descendents – skilled craftsmen, masons, carvers, turners and joiners – began replicating English styles that soon became less exact and more interpretive. Plentiful supplies of mahogany lead to the ubiquitous hand-carved West Indian four-poster bed, elevated to take advantage of airflow and sporting statuesque, ornately embellished posts. Native construction techniques and decorative motifs inspired by the environment – stylised pineapples, sandbox fruit, banana leaves, nutmeg and breadfruit – provided unique signatures and

distinctive island expression. Individual islands employed different materials, like the lighter grained courbaril and West Indian cypress in the English Windward Islands. There even emerged bespoke designs like the Bajan cellaret table or the Jamaican campeche chair. With one eye on the fashion-forward motherland and the other intent on honing vernacular styles inspired by more enduring designs, anomalies inevitably emerged: scalloped-edged tilt top tea tables with rope-twist turnings became the order of the day. Add to this not only the fact that some islands changed hands numerous times in the battle for European supremacy, but the influence of English designers like Thomas Chippendale and master cabinetmaker Ralph Turnbull, and there can be little surprise at the multifaceted nature of English island style. Connors’ revelatory narrative and stunning pictographic meanderings are golden keys, unlocking the doors of over fifty private homes to uncover the extent of European hegemony in trade and empire at a time when Britannia strived to rule the Caribbean waves. An unlikely historical page-turner, British West Indies Style traces the political shenanigans, wild buccaneering and battles on the high seas that typified this period of empire expansion. Whispering his way into the inner sanctum of British colonialism, Connors exposes the intriguing backstory behind this refined world, making this masterwork the definitive guide for voyages of discovery in the Caribbean.

Opposite top left: Stunning to this day, the soulful grandeur of the Montpelier Plantation Estate in Nevis, St Kitts. Photo courtesy of Montpelier Plantation. Opposite top right: A rare example of a 19th century island-crafted table incorporating a mixture of light and dark woods. Photo by Vanessa Rogers. Opposite middle: Rose Hall in Jamaica. Photo by Andreas Kornfeld. Opposite bottom: The exotic appeal of woven rattan, imported into Europe from Indonesia and exported to the Caribbean, suited a range of decorative and practical applications such as this island-crafted open-caned cedar récamier. Photo by Brent Winebrenner.

Top: A pair of locally crafted courbaril tea tables, overlooking Soufrière, one of St Lucia's oldest port towns. Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Middle left: A prized piece of furniture in Barbados is this cellaret form. The V-shaped lower drawer pulls out to reveal a fitted interior, which holds six wine bottles, and the galleried top is removable for serving guests. Photo by Brent Winebrenner. Middle centre: A Jamaican specimen-wood tilt-top table made by Ralph Turnbull in 1835. Smaller, more easily portable, replicas of sideboards and folding sidetables were made for dining outside. Photo by Vanessa Rogers. Middle right: A particularly rare planter’s chair: its folding extended leg rests swivel from between double arm supports. Photo by Andreas Kornfeld. Right: A rare find: early 18th century Queen Anne-style furniture from the second period. Photo by Brent Winebrenner.

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF DR. CONNORS’ LATEST BOOK

For details see page 14

SimonWatson

10. The Rocky Mountains

A founding partner of Charterland Ltd., a Cayman Islands-based chartered surveying practice, Simon Watson has lived in the Caribbean for 15 years and been a Chartered Valuation Surveyor for over 20 years. such as the Cayman Islands Government’s Land Information System, all allow for improved access to market evidence and thus improving the accuracy of valuations. RL: What new projects do you have on the horizon? SW: In addition to a couple of large engagements in Antigua, I am currently finalising this year’s edition of our annual Cayman Property Review, an independent analysis of the preceding year’s property market which should be released to the general public in March RL: Why did you choose to become a 2011. In my role as a Fellow of the Royal Chartered Valuation Surveyor? Institution of Chartered Surveyors, SW: I have always had an interest in I am also working on launching a property and economics, particularly the local chapter of this workings of the market, therefore professional organisation, valuation surveying seemed an RICS Cayman. obvious choice of career. RL: What is your RL: How has your proudest achievement? field changed in SW: A professional recent years? high-point in SW: There has recent years was been a successfully much greater acting as an emphasis on expert witness international in a 1. Voxan Motorcycle valuation standards, landmark by Philippe Starck with surveyors having to demonstrate a compensation much higher level of competence, case in respect of the Half-Moon qualification and experience. Clients, Bay Hotel in Antigua. quite rightly, expect to see detailed explanation as to the methodology used in arriving at an opinion of value. RL: How have new technologies helped you? SW: New technologies have been extremely helpful in improving the standards and quality of valuation reports. Tablet PCs allow site plans, aerial photographs etc. to be examined whilst on site and notes taken directly into report formats. The improvements in database systems,

S I MO N ’S T OP T E N

1. Designer: Philippe Starck 2. Furniture: Hammock 3. Work Tool: Tape measure 4. Sustainable Gizmo: Tablet PC 5. Appliance: Barbeque 6. Artist: Joe Strummer 7. Car: Land Rover Defender 8. Hotel: Jake’s, Jamaica 9. Book: “Guns, Germs & Steel – The Fates of Human Societies” by Jared Diamond. 10. Holiday: Rocky Mountains, Canada.

[To learn more contact www.charterland.ky] RL

70 | REAL REPORT

GREEN SHOOTS IN 2011 Tully Cornick, of KPMG, examines the economic forecast for 2011 and discusses how the Caribbean region must plan ahead in order to capitalise on any upswing.

n the Caribbean, many people probably agree that at least from an economic standpoint, 2010 did not turn out as we hoped. ‘Green shoots’ expectations that had been hyped up in the media turned out to be just that, delicate shoots that slowly emerged with the potential to develop into something more, but still highly susceptible to the environment they were growing in. Now, at the beginning of 2011, we are yet again trying to guess what the year ahead will bring. Economists’ crystal balls show a nebulous picture at best; however, what we do know about economic trends is that recessions are cyclical, they come and go. When they come and when they go is something we still cannot fully predict. So, in the meantime, to make sure we are poised for when the Caribbean economies do take off, we as nations, governments, companies and individuals need to understand who we are, what we do, why we do it and where we want to go. To do this we need to trace a plan on how to get there, layout every step of the way and, finally, act on it. So, what can Caribbean jurisdictions expect in the year ahead? Some indicators hint at an improvement in the economies and the performance of the sectors that the region is heavily dependent upon – tourism and finance. The first half of 2010 saw a slight improvement in tourist arrivals with stopover volumes showing an increase for most jurisdictions with a few exceptions (Bermuda, Curacao and Trinidad & Tobago). The feared mass exodus of companies that are domiciled in tax-light jurisdictions due to pressure from the US and EU has not materialised, and, in fact, there has recently been an increase in company and fund registrations in both Cayman and BVI. Meanwhile, our neighbour, the USA, already seems to be lifting itself up, albeit slowly – at the end of October the Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated that real GDP in the US increased at an annual rate of 2% in the third quarter of 2010; real GDP increased 1.7% in the second quarter. If these indicators are a sign of what is to come, governments, businesses and people of the Caribbean need to ensure that we are ready to take advantage of the upturn. Not only do jurisdictions need to

guarantee that when US tourists have enough disposable income to travel abroad, they choose Barbados over the Seychelles, they also need to diversify and target markets other than the US. Over the last few years China and India have experienced growth in the number of households with disposable income, and these households are now travelling. The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) held conversations with China as early as 2005 to promote their jurisdictions as a destination, but what has been done in recent years? Likewise with the financial services industry, countries need to position themselves so that when it gains more momentum, companies choose to set up entities in Cayman rather than

Singapore. Despite increased scrutiny and criticism from the US and EU authorities, with recent changes in regulations abroad prompting some companies to move their domicile from the Caribbean to countries such as Ireland and Luxemburg, most are choosing to stay put and new companies are being registered. This is no doubt due to the tax treaties, agreements and continued reassurance that is being provided locally. Another possibility available to jurisdictions is to broaden their reach into new sectors or to look to diversify their product offering. Medical tourism is an example that is being considered by the Cayman Islands, while St Maartin

expanded its tourism product to target high-net-worth individuals through the development of mega-yacht facilities, such as The Yacht Club at Isle de Sol. It is important that governments help support those companies that are reaching for new markets or industries and that they have a plan to maintain and improve the infrastructure that supports the industries upon which they depend. For smaller economies, in particular, the government’s role is crucial; they can help to establish legislation that facilitates investment or removes barriers. Some governments are inviting the participation of the private sector to help maintain or develop the infrastructure needed to keep their territories competitive (The Bahamas is privatising its telecommunications operations) while others are providing assistance to facilitate foreign investment (Barbados is partially guaranteeing the debt of a tourism development project). Some islands will choose to continue on the existing path. Those though that select diversification through leveraging existing skills (the ability to provide tourists with an outstanding experience, or continue to provide companies and investors with a safe and accepted market to operate in) to target new markets, or through offering new products (for example, captive insurance or medical tourism) will broaden their appeal to existing customer markets. Again, the key to success is planning. Before we choose a plan to follow we need first to assess the options available and determine our desire and ability to deliver. We need to understand the critical paths to the best way forward. If Chinese tourists are principally interested in shopping, gambling and Chinese food, can we deliver this to them? Does satisfying two out of the three requirements cut it – probably not if your competitors can deliver on all of them. Depending on the path chosen, we will need to develop a plan on how to get there and, the most difficult part of all, act on it. Regardless of what happens in 2011, if the nations, governments, companies and individuals in the Caribbean want to succeed, it will not come about by chance, but rather through analysis, planning and execution.

72 | PROFILE

real estate FEATURE PROPERTY Camana Bay, Cayman Islands ..............................74 THE CARIBBEAN Christie’s Great Estates ........................................76 BARBADOS Godiva ...................................................................78 CAYMAN ISLANDS The Residences Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.......77 TURKS & CAICOS Sailrock ..................................................................78 ST KITTS Sundance Ridge ....................................................78

HometownGlory

74 | CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN

CamanaBayinGrandCaymanunveilsitsresidential releaseandsharesa21stcenturyperspectiveonwhatit meanstobehomeagain.Words by Juliet Austin

t would seem that times are achanging once again and the soulful lyrics of Harry Belafonte’s classic reprieve, “Daylight come and me wan’ go home,” echo the sentiments of a nostalgic society’s aspirations to return to some traditional values of the past. In this busy twenty-first century Caribbean, where global mobility is the new norm, a ‘wherever-I-lay-my-hat’ mentality has turned ‘home’ into an out-modish concept leaving people feeling adrift. However, it appears ‘a change is gonna come’ in the form of Camana Bay’s latest residential offering: the opportunity not just to buy a house, but to lay down the roots of a place called home. Cognisant of the essential interface between human behaviour and the socio-physical environment, the compact, master-planned community that is Camana Bay is pioneering a new order of business in the Caribbean, issuing a decree for the return of human values to architecture as means of building heart back into the core of the residential experience. With forty percent of its five hundred acres dedicated to open water and green

space, Camana Bay’s mission is to recapture the spirit of home; to reignite the vibrancy and intimacy of small town living and to instil delight and conviviality into the bricks and mortar of community life. Long before the town centre was sketched into being or residential plans were a twinkle in designers’ eyes, the Camana Bay nursery began propagating native trees and shrubs, mindful of the importance of mature landscaping to creating power of place. Elemental in design and inspired by the natural harmonics encapsulated in a host of the most enduring and alluring seaside and port towns around the world, work began on setting the anchors to a new liveable community. “It was important to provide established, welcoming and attractive areas from the get-go – places where people could gather and relax,” explains John Hillman, Director of Sales. “We want every neighbourhood to feel like it has been there forever.” Providing a community heart, the vibrant pedestrian town centre pulses with life. Buy a book or read a book; bring lunch or buy lunch… here, life comes with no agenda, bar what

Hillman coins, ‘lingerability.’ A skeleton network of cool tree-lined streets, bicycle paths and walking trails offer a gateway to work, rest and play, ushering in a new lifestyle aimed at reviving the culture of the street. Here, families picnic on the green; children explore the island; couples stroll along the boardwalk and office workers spill out into the many restaurants and bars lining The Crescent. Using this spirited canvas as its backdrop, Camana Bay’s diverse residential release provides options to suit every need, desire and pocketbook from single-family dwellings, condominiums and quaint cottages to courtyard and town homes – all with

HOMETOWN GLORY | 75

access to the Neverland of the North Sound and the world famous Seven Mile Beach. Echoing aspects of the local vernacular, contemporary interpretations delivered up by a host of design elite from amongst others Torti Gallas and Partners, Martinez and Alvarez Architects and The Burns Conolly Group conspire to create intimate, mixed-use enclaves, all just moments away from a bustling town centre. Rooted in the principles of New Urbanism, shady overhangs, private courtyards and spacious porches become recurring motifs, with homes creatively clustered to enhance the space in between. Texture, scale and order become pivotal elements of design, succeeding keenly in returning artistry to the heart of architecture. Condominium villages centre around four large plantation style homes reminiscent of the striking traditional great houses of yesteryear. With a lively aesthetic and innovative efficiency, designs incorporate underground parking and private lap pools ensconced in lush vegetation. From skyline to grassline, neighbourhoods interconnect symbiotically, with each district retaining an autonomous and noticeable personality. Tuck-under

town homes, with gracious living areas spilling out onto expansive parks and commons, feature wide front porches that greet the street with private living quarters above offering the privacy of elevated vistas. Here, outdoor rooms complement interior landscapes: two bedroom mews with cantilevered balconies, quintessential Caribbean cottages with charming concealed gardens or private courtyard homes whose pools, secreted away down gated alleyways, offer bursts of tantalising aqua – all provide relief and interest to the streetscape. Inspired by the sentiment of novelist Wallace Stegner who said, “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are,” gifts to the street come in the form of intimate focal points that issue a welcome note to all the lives that will play out in these very spots: customised ironwork detailing, sculptures and water features and special shade trees in whose branches children will lose themselves in play; whose roots will run deep for generations to come and in whose trunks lovers will carve their names. If surroundings really do shape our thoughts, and feelings are grounded in physical space, the placemakers at Camana Bay are building a stage where human drama is free to play out. “By shaping a landscape of engagement, we want to create opportunities for lives to directly and indirectly intersect,” says Hillman. “Appearances are not enough. There has to be wisdom in the design.” Winston Churchill observed, “We shape our buildings, and thereafter our buildings shape us.” With where we are ‘from’ connoting a sense of identity so essential to understanding our place in the world, Camana Bay has found what was previously lost and is now offering the return of the rare gift of belonging. More than just an address or GPS coordinate, they use space as the exciting frontier in a new breed of human settlements rooted in the traditional values held so close to the collective Caribbean heart. Daylight has come, and it is time to go home. To learn more about Camana Bay's exciting residential offerings please visit The Discovery Centre, call 345.640.4000 or email info@camanabay.com. Visit camanabay.com for more details on this growing community.

CARIBBEAN REGION ARCHITECTS Andrew Goodenough Architects, Antigua.. ........................(268) 460 1489 Brisbane N. & Associates, St Kitts Nevis...........................(869) 465 5111 Caribbean Design, Architects & Engineers, Barbados.......(246) 427 5696 Downing Roger & Partner Co. Ltd, BVI...............................(284) 494 2762 John Doak Architecture ......................................................(345) 946 3625 Lancaster Associates, St Kitts & Nevis ...............................(869) 465 7931 Lee H. Skolnick Architecture...............................................(212) 989 2624 Melon Design, St Lucia ......................................................(758) 458 4605 OBM International Antigua .........................................................................(268) 462 1047 Bermuda ......................................................................(441) 278 3550 British Virgin Islands......................................................(284) 494 2148 Cayman Islands ...........................................................(345) 949 8115 Miami............................................................................(305) 537 7100 Trinidad and Tobago.....................................................(868) 624 6449 Tony Brooks Architects Ltd., (Barbados) ............................(246) 437 8881 ATTORNEYS O’Neal Webster, BVI. ...................................................(284) 494 5808 Lex Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago .....................................(868) 628 9255 Ogier, BVI............................................................................(284) 494 0525 AVIATION & AIRLINES NetJets Inc. ..................................................................(201) 508 4855 Arrindell Aviation Services, St Maarten .......................(599) 546 7641 Biz Jet To Yacht (FBO 2000), Antigua .........................(268) 562 4347 Bohlke International Airways, St Croix ........................(340) 778 9177 I Am Caribbean Inc, Barbados....................................(242) 428 1704 I Am Jet Centre, Jamaica ............................................(876) 971 9033 Island Air, Cayman Islands ..........................................(345) 949 5252 Lloyd Aviation Services, Anguilla.........................................(954) 804 4288 Million Air San Juan, Puerto Rico ........................................(787) 994 3200 MN Aviation, Puerto Rico ....................................................(787) 791 7090 Odyssey Aviation Asheville Regional Airport .............................................(828) 684 6832 Charleston International Airport.....................................(843) 414 9200 Chicago Midway Airport ...............................................(773) 284 2867 Cincinnati Lunken Airport..............................................(513) 871 2020 Port Columbus International Airport ..............................(614) 238 3900 Lafayette Regional Airport ............................................(337) 234 3100 Lynden Pindling International Airport, The Bahamas ....(242) 702 0200 New Orleans Lakefront Airport......................................(504) 241 2800 Provo Air Centre, Turks and Caicos ....................................(649) 946 4181 St Thomas Jet Centre, St Thomas .....................................(340) 777 9177 BANKS & FINANCIAL SERVICES UBS – Global Bank......................................................(242) 394-9300 First Caribbean International Bank ......................................(246) 367 2300 St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA)..................(869) 465 1153 KPMG, Barbados................................................................(246) 427 5230 KPMG, Cayman Islands .....................................................(345) 949 4800 Scotiabank Private Client Group : Bahamas:.....................................................................(242) 502-5701 Cayman........................................................................(345) 914-6274 Dominican Republic.....................................................(809) 545 8110 Barbados .....................................................................(246) 417 2004 Trinidad & Tobago ........................................................(868) 625 3566 Turks & Caicos .............................................................(649) 941 3971 Jamaica........................................................................(876) 946 7215 DESIGNERS Adriana Hoyos .............................................................(305) 572 9052 DCOTA: Design Center of the Americas............................(954) 920 7997 Marble of the World ............................................................(954) 745 9700 TUUCI.................................................................................(305) 634 5116 DEVELOPERS / CONSTRUCTION / SURVEYORS BCQS International Bahamas ......................................................................(242) 393 5352 Barbados .....................................................................(246) 428 8091 British Virgin Islands......................................................(284) 494 7144 Cayman Islands ...........................................................(345) 949 8644 St Lucia ........................................................................(758) 450 7040 Turks and Caicos..........................................................(649) 946 4238 Decco Products Int’l Inc. ....................................................(305) 266 0104 Expert Roof (St. Martin).....................................................+59 05 90 8717 Goldeneye Development, Jamaica ....................................(876) 297 7777 Mansail Development Group, LLC, USA ............................(813) 254 3110 Rotherley Construction Inc, Barbados................................(246) 425 0950 St Kitts Nevis Anguilla Trading & Developing Co Ltd..........(869) 465 2511 Victor International...............................................................(248) 364 2400

Laurent Paméla, Asla...................................................(239) 738 4427 MKS International................................................................(345) 916 7612 REAL ESTATE AGENTS Godiva Realty (Barbados)........................................... (246) 249 8032 Christie's Great Estates Anguilla........................................................................1 888 226 4845 Antigua & Barbuda .......................................................(268) 562 6042 Bahamas ......................................................................(242) 322 1041 Barbados .....................................................................(246) 432 0840 Bermuda ......................................................................(441) 296 0278 British Virgin Islands......................................................(284) 494 2446 Cayman Islands ...........................................................(345) 815 7777 Dominican Republic.....................................................(829) 473 0000 St. Martin ................................................................(590) 590 51 02 85 Turks & Caicos .............................................................(649) 941 4105 US Virgin Islands ..........................................................(340) 775 9000 St. Barth .................................................................(590) 590 29 88 91 Knight Frank......................................................+44 (0) 207 629 8171 Terra Caribbean ...........................................................(246) 434 9000 RESORTS / MARINAS The Estates on Sundance Ridge, St Kitts ..........................(869) 466 1277 Cap Cana, Dominican Republic.........................................(809) 227 2262 Nanny Cay Village, BVI .......................................................(284) 494 4895 Ocean’s Edge, St Kitts .......................................................(869) 466 7991 Oil Nut Bay, BVI .................................................................(800) 761 0377 Sugar Ridge, Antigua .........................................................(268) 562 7727 The Crane Resort, Barbados..............................................(246) 423 6220 Turtle Breeze Villa .............................................................1 (866) 331 4269 Apes Hill, Barbados ............................................................(246) 432 4500 SHIPPING Tropical Shipping ..................................................................800 638 8767 SHOPPING, JEWELLERY & AUTO Effy Jewelers Aruba............................................................................(297) 588 9812 Bahamas ......................................................................(242) 326 7560 Curacao......................................................................(5999) 461 9790 Grand Cayman.............................................................(345) 949 3393 Puerto Rico...................................................................(787) 721 0256 St Kitts & Nevis.............................................................(869) 465 1339 St Maarten ....................................................................(599) 542 3951 St Thomas...................................................................(340) 776 3339Mercedes Benz International ........................................+55 11141736611

CAYMAN ISLANDS ARCHITECTS Design (Cayman).........................................................(345) 949 2800 John Doak Architecture...............................................(345) 946 3625 ATTORNEYS Conyers Dill and Pearman..................................................(345) 945 3901 J Barry Smith Attorney-at-Law.............................................(345) 943 7700 ART & ARTIST Hannah Cook Studio ..........................................................(345) 916 3060 AVIATION SERVICES Island Air .............................................................................(345) 949 5252 BANKING & MORTGAGES Cayman National Bank .......................................................(345) 949 4655 Fidelity Bank (Cayman) Ltd.................................................(345) 949 7822 First Caribbean International Bank (Cayman) Ltd ...............(345) 949 7300 HSBC Bank (Cayman) Ltd..................................................(345) 949 7755 CONDOMINIUM & VILLA RENTALS The Ritz-Carlton Luxury Rentals..................................(345) 326 1278 Cayman Villas, Vacation Rentals.........................................(345) 945 4144 Cotton Tree .........................................................................(345) 943 0700 CONDO/RESIDENCES DEVELOPMENTS The DeckHouses at the Ritz-Carlton (Grand Cayman) ......(345) 815 7777 The Terraces at Camana Bay .............................................(345) 640 3808 DEVELOPMENTS / MARINAS Camana Bay.......................................................................(345) 946 2229 The Bacadere Marina .........................................................(345) 949 3743

REAL ESTATE AGENTS The Ritz-Carlton Resales & Rentals ....................................(345) 326 1278 Dart Realty ..........................................................................(345) 943 3278 Dragon Bay Cayman Islands..............................................(345) 815 7777 IRG International Realty Group Ltd .....................................(345) 623 1111 Michael Joseph, RE/MAX Cayman Islands ........................(345) 949 6170 Cayman Islands Real Estate Brokers Association (CIREBA) ....(345) 949 7099 SHOPPING & JEWELLERY Island Companies Ltd. .......................................................(345) 640 5200 SURVEYORS & PROPERTY CONSULTANTS Charterland .........................................................................(345) 623 2772

BAHAMAS AVIATION & AIRLINES Bahamasair.........................................................................(242) 377 8452 Cat Island Air ......................................................................(242) 377 3318 Executive Flight Support .....................................................(242) 424 9598 Odyssey Aviation Bahamas................................................(242) 702 0200 Western Air..........................................................................(242) 377 2222 ARCHITECTS Artech Bahamas Ltd...........................................................(242) 327 2335 Bruce LaFleur & Associates ...............................................(242) 323 8421 BANKS Scotia Bank ........................................................................(242) 502 5799 SG Private Banking .............................................................(242) 302 5000 CONCIERGE SERVICES Platinum Pineapple......................................................(242) 393 4921 Island Concierge Services..................................................(242) 362 6861 INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Downsview Kitchens of Nassau ..................................(242) 377 0004 Floral Arts.....................................................................(242) 325-3581 RESIDENCIAL DEVELOPMENTS Bayroc Beach Residences.................................................(242) 327 0112 Lyford Cay ..........................................................................(242) 362 4211 Ocean Club Residences and Marina .................................(242) 363 3000 Old Fort Bay........................................................................(242) 362 6434 REAL ESTATE AGENTS Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty ...........................(242) 322 2305 H.G. Christie .......................................................................(242) 322 1041 Morley Realty ......................................................................(242) 394 7070 Ocean Club Real Estate .....................................................(242) 328 7777 RESORTS & SPAS Compass Point...................................................................(242) 327 4500 Dermal Distributions ...........................................................(242) 327 6786 Wyndham Nassau Resort...................................................(242) 677 4115

TURKS AND CAICOS AVIATION & AIRLINE Air Provo Centre..................................................................(649) 946 4181 ARCHITECTS RA Shaw Designs...............................................................(649) 941 4394 Simon Wood Associates ....................................................(649) 946 5911 BANKS Hallmark Bank & Trust Ltd ..................................................(649) 946 5524 Royal Bank of Canada........................................................(649) 941 4667 CONDO/RESIDENCIAL DEVELOPMENTS NorthWest Point Resort.......................................................(649) 941 8961 The Estates of Grace Bay Club ..........................................(649) 941 3900 The Gansevoort ..................................................................(649) 941 7555 The Sands at Grace Bay ....................................................(649) 946 5199 The Shore Club ..................................................................(649) 232 1067 Turtle Breeze ......................................................................1 866 331 4269

DEVELOPERS Davenport Development Ltd .......................................(345) 949 4979 Orion Developers ...............................................................(345) 815 7777 DART – Camana Bay..........................................................(345) 943 3278

DEVELOPMENTS HAB Group .........................................................................(649) 946 5126 Regent Village.....................................................................(649) 941 4400 Sail Rock, South Caicos .....................................................(649) 333 6943 The Saltmills........................................................................(649) 946 4238

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & CABINENTRY EuroGroup International ..............................................(305) 513 0066 Downsview Kitchens of Dania .....................................(954) 927 1100 Downsview Kitchens of Juno ......................................(561) 799 7700 Kitchen Design Studio in Dominican ..........................(809) 541 7707 Stafford Flooring ..........................................................(441) 295 9744 Cactus Stone & Tile ............................................................(602) 275 6400 Delta Faucets .....................................................................(317) 587 1248 Living Design, St Kitts.........................................................(869) 465 3223

INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Design Studio ..............................................................(345) 945 4977 Sticks & Stones ..................................................................(345) 947 8663

INSURANCE International Insurance Agency Ltd ....................................(649) 941 3195 The Insurance Centre .........................................................(649) 941 4814

KITCHENS, CABINETRY & FLOORING Bon Vivant...........................................................................(345) 623 2665 Stafford Flooring..................................................................(345) 943 2722 Storage Solutions ...............................................................(345) 525 2647

INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Design Studio.....................................................................(649) 941 4848 Finishing Touch...................................................................(649) 941 4393

POOLS & LANDSCAPE DESIGN David Tisherman’s Visual Inc., California ............................(310) 379 6700

PROPERTY INSURANCE Island Heritage ...................................................................(345) 949 7280

REAL ESTATE AGENTS Hartling Realty.....................................................................(649) 941 4100 Sail Rock, South Caicos .....................................................(649) 333 6943