A Captain’s Retreat
“Home is the sailor, home from sea.”
—from "Requiem" by Robert Louis Stevenson
To be the captain of a ship implies that one commands a level of respect among his crew and has gained a wealth of experience through his many adventures. Likewise, his home away from sea should embody a sense of well-deserved entitlement. The Captain’s House, high among Belmont Hill, perhaps serves as a reward to the current owner, who long sailed the Sir Frances Drake Channel before nesting in this inviting private estate overlooking Tortola’s northwest shoreline.
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I was first struck by the beckoning pool, with its covered and open sunning area shared by the main house and the guest house of the two-bedroom, two-bathroom luxury hideaway. The surrounding views seem to become magnified by the warm midday sun. I can imagine a sailor imbibing these views—never too far from the sea—just footsteps from the refreshing pool. From there, Smuggler’s Cove and Long Bay beaches lure the beachcomber or seafarer within a few short and shaded minutes drive through Belmont Grove Estate’s charming roads. Captain’s House stamps out its own fairly large footprint among its two plots of lush land, commanding a combined 1.35 acres of secluded, only partially developed hillside.
The exclusive community of Belmont commands a sense of long-lasting security from its serene setting. Its views of Belmont Hill and the nearby beaches remain largely undisturbed, under the veil of government protection and national park preservation laws. Belmont’s partially paved roads wrap through a canopy of foliage—a path virtually untraveled by commercial traffic. The property remains a sanctuary protected from uninvited influence. However, the location also allows for convenient access to the West End Ferry and the amenities of Long Bay Beach Resort and Sopers Hole, where dockside dining, marina and beachside views, and marketplace shopping provide adequate access to all your necessary needs. And to justify an authentic island appeal, the traditional villages of Carrot Bay and Apple Bay provide an ideal retreat from reality, just a short fieldtrip down the easterly coast. With its timeless appeal, the Captain’s House fits perfectly among its friendly surroundings.
It is difficult to classify the property into one style of architecture. The property’s contractor, alongside the original owner, worked closely to bring together a multitude of influence to the home’s design. Subtle shades of opaque white and soft rose exterior colours match the West Indian flora and bring a cool reprieve to the outdoors; tile floors lead into an interior that opens up with towering cathedral ceilings. A small breakfast bar separates the well-designed pickled pine kitchen, which peers across a stunning picture frame view over the island-speckled Atlantic. From almost any vantage point, stunning panoramic views command attention; large windows and balconies ensure their pronounced presence. Landscapes open up and shift above the undeveloped coconut preservation land along Long Bay and Smugglers Cove beaches, all the way to Sandy Spit and Jost Van Dyke. Views give way a captain’s-eye vantage point to boats entering and leaving the Sir Frances Drake Channel, through Great Thatch pass. I can only imagine awakening to these awe-inspiring lookouts from the open-air showers.
The home evokes an inviting feeling of comfort, perhaps reinforced by its sturdy design. The estate’s builder is well known for his focus on sturdy yet secure designs. The single-level home enjoys its structural integrity through reinforced concrete walls with heavy pickled pine beams to support the dramatically high ceilings, structurally tied into the exterior concrete walls for additional strength.
Safe and serene, this home is a perfect addition to the Belmont community. Perhaps most welcoming about the spacious property is the exclusive and secure neighbourhood that opens up with a warm embrace. This inviting community tends to take care of its residents, who, in return, remain close. The attractive double-lot property provides the perfect locale for an intriguing eye, offering endless possibilities for prime development. Like a chest of pirate’s gold, the Captain’s House will remain a treasure to be discovered and beheld by its next lucky proprietor.
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Captain's House Summary
Bedrooms – Two
Bathroom – Two
Year Built – 1994
Swimming Pool – Yes
Size – 1.35 acres
Price – US$1,150,000
