Dream House | A mother of a design: Hilltop villa is a pure Mediterranean fantasy

“Never have we seen a house quite like this,” the fortunate few have remarked, and yes, they would be absolutely right in their observation. Truth be told, this inspired home with interlaced Spanish, Italian, and Greek architectural elements, including whimsical artistic embellishments, makes it a residential anomaly in Jamaica.

The property’s undeniable mystique lies in its ‘middle of nowhere’ location, in Billy’s Bay, St Elizabeth, gracing a hill on top of a deserted beachfront of sand dunes and sea turtles, with manatees and dolphins in full view at play, together with the Santa Cruz mountains as a backdrop. We are at a loss for words!

With bated breath, we enter through the front gates to witness a striking, domed roof over the primary bedroom, with its inner mural, vaulted ceiling, showing imagery of the night sky with stars and planets. In addition, there are oval and arched wall openings; intricate grill work; exquisite mosaic glass tilework; and the imaginative use of brilliant coloured-glass pieces embedded in the walls, along with dazzling, cathedral-stained-glass windows in the bathrooms.

If that were not enough, there is also the inner staircase wall dramatically inlaid with a curious, large coral stone, as well as a different, shapely curved stairway leading to the outside. The painstakingly crafted cedar wood furniture by local artisans is surrounded by textured walls in all white.

This 3,500-square-foot feet of natural, light-filled living space on two levels takes into account five bedrooms (leading to 360-degree outdoor viewing decks) with en suite provisions and an open-air shower. The living, dining, and kitchen (with pantry) areas follow, freely accessing the coastal fronting, covered terrace.

A highly unusual feature anywhere for a single-family home are the two separate swimming pools, one being of an infinity-edge configuration. Timber decks, a barbecue grill, and a sizable, thatched-roof gazebo join an outdoor shower on the two and a half acres. The dry climatic conditions encourage a landscape of blooming bougainvilleas and several varieties of cacti.

Originally designed by artist Sally Henzell and built in 1999, the house has changed ownership (all women) three times. It has been remodelled twice, the last exercise in 2022 by its current owner, who is a real estate developer and investment strategist. Well done.

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