Dream House |Clifftop observatory home in Rio Nuevo

For an indefinite number of unforgettable homes, it is an uphill endeavour in tracking down their unknown whereabouts. It is unlikely that you will find them by road as they try to evade detection, with the probability of them being more observable from the sky or sea.

The observatory house in Rio Nuevo, St Mary, sits at the pinnacle of the owner’s dreams and aspirations, strategically positioned atop a steep, rocky cliff, commanding a breathtaking view of the sea. Its full splendour reveals itself only when approached from the sea.

Oh, the exuberant feeling! Whether lounging in the comfortable sitting area or sharing genuine togetherness in the designated dining section, both activities immerse us in the scenery from the covered outdoor terraces overlooking the saltwater swimming pool, deck, and the dizzying gazebo at the cliff’s edge.

What’s that appetising aroma emanating from the high-end, quartz, commercial-grade kitchen? We patiently wait at the table to indulge in the scrumptious repast our hosts have lovingly prepared.

We are irresistibly drawn to recline in one of the three bedrooms, beckoning us to peaceful slumber, each with bathrooms featuring showers (wet rooms), sunken tubs, and wooden vanities. A double garage is included, along with a self-contained cottage.

A little over 4,000 square feet of living area incorporates all-white walls for that clean, classy touch, along with porcelain tiled floors shipped in from overseas, all deliberately left uncluttered, for that consequential, spacious, tidy feel.

The owners are Mark Walker, a Jamaican business strategist and former US television producer who owns restaurants in the United States, and his charming wife, Katina, an American entrepreneur. Katina is a former television writer who now works as a pilates instructor and apparel manufacturer, with her own clothing line.

They crossed paths at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, USA, where their love story began. Having resided in Jamaica for two years now, the lifestyle offered here has made it impossible for them to return. It took a prolonged search of five years to find this home, built in the 1990s. When they finally found it, it was fully gutted and renovated to what we behold today.

Long after we leave here, this house will be etched in our memory for a long time.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barryrattray1@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com