Bermuda’s sandy beaches with their pinkish hue are just part of the attraction for holidaymakers and those who would like to stay a little longer.
The famous writer Mark Twain once said, ‘You go to heaven if you want – I’d rather stay here in Bermuda’. Praise indeed but it’s not difficult to understand why the world’s most renowned authors such as William Shakespeare and Ian Fleming found endless inspiration from the peace and tranquility of its shores.
If you’d like to share in this island idyll, Sallyann Smith, part owner of The Property Group, reports that now is an excellent time to buy a property in Bermuda. The market which had fallen in recent years due to the crash is now slowly returning to previous levels with purchasers tending to come from the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe. The fact that the America’s Cup Superyacht Regatta is taking place in Bermuda during the 35th America’s Cup in June 2017 has also invigorated the property market and been received very positively.
Ms Smith explains,
“All sale and purchase agreements to non-Bermudian purchasers require a license, which is obtained by the Bermuda Government. The license fee is 6% of the purchase price for a condominium, 6.5% for a resort property and 8% for a house. Once a sale has been agreed, a local lawyer will make an application to the Bermuda Government, the approval can take from three to nine months from the time of application. Once the application is approved the sale can complete.”
Overboard, Tucker’s Town
This charming home is located on the shore of one of the most protected and picturesque inlets in Bermuda. Occupying approximately half an acre in the prestigious residential community of Tucker’s Town, Overboard enjoys nearly 200 feet of waterfront. Built in 1928, this 4-bedroom, 5½ bathroom house was extensively renovated in the late 90s and has had meticulous renovations and upkeep since the present owners purchased it in 2012. Attractive wrought iron gates at the entrance open to a beautiful bricked driveway and mature grounds, enhanced with colourful flowers, bougainvillea, Bermuda citrus, banana trees and coconut palms. Entering the foyer of the house, you are greeted with stunning views of Tucker’s Town Cove. The cedar wood throughout, including floors, hand-carved bookcases, fireplace mantel, ceiling beams and windows, creates a warm ambience. There are four fireplaces in total and water views from almost every room. The living room flows comfortably to the family room, dining room, bar area and kitchen. All the main rooms open out on to a partially covered pool terrace, perfect for entertaining. From the family room, a staircase leads down to a spacious bedroom with en suite bathroom, a sitting room and laundry room. With two entrances, it is perfect as a guest suite and to adapt the sitting room section to be a nanny annex.
The east wing of the house features the built-in office with fireplace, guest bathroom and a bedroom with en suite bathroom and fireplace. Beyond is the master suite with a sitting room/den, changing area, linen closet, walk-in closet, master bedroom and bathroom. It includes a second smaller bedroom with en suite bathroom, which is ideal for children’s bunk beds and gives a perfect solution for families who want to have their youngsters close by. A highlight of the property, in addition to the location, is its private dock that can accommodate a boat up to 35 feet in length. The dock is equipped with all the essentials including bollards, bumper strips and a ship-to-shore power line. Also on this lower waterside level is a courtyard and built-in barbecue making it a superb entertaining spot. Adjacent to the main house, there is a bricked walkway that passes through a Bermuda moon gate to a separate, self-contained guest cottage with bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and a shaded porch overlooking the water. This property is ideally situated only minutes from Bermuda’s famous Mid Ocean Club and the Tucker’s Point resort, 10 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from Hamilton City. With golf, tennis, swimming and boating on the doorstep, this delightful family home is the perfect home-away-from-home. It provides an ideal escape from harsh winters abroad and the opportunity either to enjoy the tranquil setting or to entertain friends and family in Bermuda’s relaxing lifestyle.
US$11.5m
For information and to view Overboard please contact the sole listing agent:
Gillian Butterfield
[email protected]
The Property Group principals:
Sallyann Smith & Brittany Archer
+1 441 234 6900
[email protected]
www.property-group.com
Longford House, Warwick Parish
Owned by Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, this spectacular, gated private estate, with stunning harbour views is a park-like oasis. The centrepiece of the property is a large, elegant yet informal, 1827 ivy covered home. The beautifully restored main house has a spacious living room with fireplace, dining room, gourmet kitchen and children’s suite containing two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a music room and den. On the upper level is the luxurious master suite with views overlooking the harbour. There is also a second en suite bedroom, office and large media room as well as two 50 foot cedar verandas offering cascading harbour views. Included on this beautiful, manicured three plus acre estate are spacious lawns, an opulent fruit orchard, herb gardens, a tennis court with covered viewing pavilion and a gated pool. The basement level offers a fully equipped exercise room with a shower, locker room, bath and sauna facilities. A large storage and commercial size laundry room is adjacent to the gym. Also on the property is a lovely renovated two-bedroom guest cottage, a 100 year – old apartment and a two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage.
£8m / €9.54m / $10.65m
Rego Sotheby’s International Realty
+1 441 505 2034
[email protected]
www.regosothebysrealty.com
Chelston on Grape Bay Beach
Singular in Bermuda as a large-acreage, fully updated, private beachfront compound, this estate is within a five-minute drive of the city of Hamilton. With 15 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms, the 10,000 square foot main house also offers a wealth of separate accommodation. This includes three, three-bedroom guest cottages, a two-bedroom staff cottage, a pool house and beach pavilion. The main house is approximately 200 feet above sea level with awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic Ocean, Hamilton and the estate’s gardens and sweeping lawns. Gated entry, a 75 by 40 foot, zero-edge pool, a croquet lawn, outdoor kitchen, golf cart garage, games room, staff quarters, acres of rolling lawns and the pink sands of Grape Bay Beach are among the many amenities.
£33.87m / €40.3m / $45m
Christies International Real Estate
www.christiesrealestate.com
Bellevue Estate, Grape Bay Beach
Comprising over five acres within minutes of the city of Hamilton, along with ownership of the road and access leading to coveted Grape Bay Beach, this magnificent Grade I historic estate was originally constructed in the 1870s. Offering both city and harbour views, Bellevue is a timeless classic that underwent a renovation in 2000. Six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a nursery alongside a living room and a games room make up only a fraction of the space. The house also includes a one-bedroom guest cottage with an upper sitting room said to have been the writing den for the likes of Eugene O’Neill and Terrance Rattigan. Amenities include a swimming pool, several outbuildings and a large impressive tennis court. £7.5m / €8.9 m/ $9.95m
Christies International Real Estate
www.christiesrealestate.com
Old Battery, Tucker’s Town
This magnificent property on Bermuda’s beautiful South Shore, within prestigious residential Tucker’s Town, is high on a hill overlooking the clear blue waters of the Atlantic. The Old Battery estate encompasses over four acres of immaculate grounds, a stunning five en suite bedroom main house, two guest cottages, an infinity swimming pool, tennis court and private coves with beaches.
£17.3m / €20.6m / $23m
The Property Group
+1 441 234 6900
[email protected]
www.property-group.com
Relax-
Rosewood Tucker’s Point is the centrepiece of Tucker’s Point, Bermuda’s premier resort, golf club and residential community. It is situated on 240 acres of the most beautiful parcel of waterfront land, neighbouring the venerable Mid Ocean Club and the estates of Tucker’s Town. The resort has a total of 88 spacious guestrooms. The Manor House features 36 superior rooms; 12 deluxe rooms; eight deluxe poolside rooms, each with a private poolside daybed; seven spacious one-bedroom suites; and the sprawling 1,650-square foot Walsingham Suite. Three waterfront villas are also available comprised of 24 deluxe rooms, which can also be converted into 12 sprawling one or two-bedroom suites.
The world-class Sense spa at Rosewood Tucker’s Point is a 12,000-square foot garden sanctuary, complete with eight treatment rooms, two facial rooms and a vast, state-of-the-art hydrotherapy suite. This includes a deluxe SilverTAG shower, offered at only two other resorts in the world. Inspired by the island’s flora and natural surroundings, the treatments incorporate native elements such as aloe, hibiscus and local honey. There is also a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art fitness centre and a sprawling yoga and Tai Chi lawn. Hotel guests receive a temporary membership to the Tucker’s Point Club inclusive of the 18-hole golf course and clubhouse and four clay tennis courts; and the Beach Club with access to a private pink sand beach, freshwater swimming pool, family friendly Fountain Pool, covered outdoor bar and dining terrace. The Point, Rosewood Tucker’s Point’s signature restaurant offers menu highlights such as grilled local swordfish. Located within The Point Restaurant, the intimate Wine Room features 3,000 bottles of wine, displayed in rich millwork cabinets that wrap the room. The Chef’s Table, set in the centre of executive chef Gerry Adam’s kitchen, hosts memorable dining experiences with custom tasting menus for up to 12 people.
www.tuckerspoint.com
