Dream House | Inside Villa Jamille, a celebrity hideaway in Portland
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The cosy living room opens up to the outdoors.
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One of six delightful bedrooms with a private balcony.
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An outdoor rain shower hidden amongst the greenery.
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The outdoor dining terrace seems to float above trees and the sea in the distance.
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A celebrity villa nestled within extensive greenery and a bird sanctuary.
What is this villa’s claim to fame? Though unknown to most of us, it easily sets itself apart – as you will soon discover.
The house was built in 2001 and designed by one of Jamaica’s most respected and celebrated architects, Marvin D. Goodman. The distinguished edifice has a traditional Caribbean architectural charm, accentuated by shingle hip-roofed furnished balconies, along with smaller ones extending from the bedrooms. It has since undergone three years of remodelling.
Its key features include Italian marble and premium teak hardwood flooring, marble and limestone-finished bathrooms, and an outdoor shower.
Delightful interiors blend old-world charm with contemporary design, with world-class, locally crafted and internationally sourced furniture pieces and artwork, including precious antiques. The colour scheme is predominantly white.
The villa offers a capacious living environment spanning an immense 11,000 square feet, with six en suite bedrooms, including a one-bedroom self-contained cottage. The main house also features living and dining areas and a dine-in island kitchen, showcasing world-renowned Viking appliances. A billiards room, with its own spirited wet bar and a sauna – not commonly seen in many homes – further enhances the villa’s amenities and helps promote wellness.
The limestone swimming pool enhances the villa’s aura of serenity on the nearly two-acre plot, nestled within extensive greenery and a bird sanctuary, in the lush hills of San San, Port Antonio, Portland.
Welcome to the celebrity villa known as Villa Jamille. Koffee, Tarrus Riley, Drake, John Legend, Daniel Craig, and others have had the privilege of calling it home away from home.
The villa is owned by Whitney Falk of New York – a social entrepreneur, designer, real estate developer, and environmental lobbyist – and Matthew Brimmer, also a social entrepreneur, designer, real estate developer, and investor. After nine years together and an engagement, their romantic relationship ended, but they remain best friends and business partners. Incidentally, both Brimmer and Falk share an insatiable love of music: Matthew is a DJ, and Whitney is a composer.
With all its distinctive characteristics waiting to be experienced, the villa is certain to foster memories to cherish.
Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barryrattray1@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.