Dream House | The Mediterranean meets Ironshore

Wishing you all a cheerful and rewarding New Year, as we renew our hunt to unearth and make public wherever they may exist, the most intriguing residences.

The architectural diversity is just amazing, as we come to appreciate the design features of our dream houses beyond the norm.

This Mediterranean influenced palatial residence, in the privileged community of Ironshore, Montego Bay, St James, shares its extraordinary decorative and supplementary design constituents, bringing interminable joy to all who are fortunate to enter.

But before we go in, we are taken quite aback by the beauty and quietude of the ornamental gardens, sowing the seeds of the relationship between the building and the aromatic environment.

We rejoice at the sight of a classical three-tiered water fountain at the front, spilling over from level to level, sitting on top of a rocky waterfall, as it gushes into its pond below.

The over half-of-an-acre wonderland prides itself on having three separate outdoor gazebos, the private one in its sunken garden for chilling, and two individual poolside ones, sheltering both a circular swim–up wet bar, and a pulsating, heated spa tub.

Its traditional interior (sprawling over two and three floors), with a centrepiece curved, floating staircase, is favoured with 13 welcoming bedrooms, each with its own air-conditioned bathroom!

Complementing the colossal internal configuration are three living rooms; a semi-circular dining room, fit for royalty; and a granite-enhanced, air-conditioned island kitchen, with the latest in appliance technology.

A dedicated massage room offers therapeutic relief by your professional massage therapist within your own house.

A games room (with pool table) comes equipped with a grand wet bar, for that sobering touch.

A fully outfitted gym is there for your fitness and strength-training needs.

A movie theatre, with a popcorn facility on hand, allows for that thrilling cinematic experience.

Bells and whistles continue with a triple (automated door) garage, opening to a vast motor court (a dedicated area for outside parking), and a porte cochere (a covered entrance drive-through by the front door).

The colour palette inside and out are variations of orange and rust, which creates a spell when the natural light hits it.

The multitudinous roofed fairytale edifice became ready for occupation in 2013, after one year of construction.

This iconic home has us wrapped in its architectural splendour.

A gift to us, inspiring and enlightening, as we add it to our many residential architectural treasures on the island.

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