From a dream to coastal splendour in Ironshore

Are you willing to pay the cost associated with fulfilling your dreams? While not everyone is willing to pay that price, for those who have, no matter how high the expense, the accomplishment has proven to be worthwhile.

Take for example this gentleman who was schooled at Cobbla Youth Camp in Manchester. After graduating, the youngster, one day, met a guy who went around mowing the lawns of the rich. He joined him, and on his first day on the toilsome job he came to the conclusion that the mansion he was working at, was the type of house he wanted to own one day with the lifestyle that assumably accompanied it. That was his goal.

In the 1980s, the young man embarked upon a journey to England, sedulously washing plates in a hotel kitchen, eventually rising to the position of steward. He forged ahead relentlessly, driving taxi throughout the streets of London, and selling windows independently. As the years passed, his financial situation improved significantly, but the dream he chased was not yet realised.

Then one day, that long-awaited moment to take action had arrived. The gentleman zealously returned to the island, purchasing his first house here in Mandeville, selling it after a while, then achieving his monumental dream of owning this featured home, in the ultra upscale residential community of Ironshore, St. James.

Situated on a half-an-acre coastal-facing lot, this property was initially built in the 1980s as a single-storey unit by its previous owner. In 2013, the present title-holder transformed it by affixing a top floor, now having a combined number of seven bedrooms, with their own en suite bathrooms, two living rooms both upstairs and downstairs, dining room, and a kitchen with dining counter. The most surprising feature of the interior is the open space rising vertically through the centre of the house, surrounded by angular balconies. Continuous sea-viewing, entertainment balconies and verandahs receive the outdoor scenery with glee, gladdening the sleeping and living layout.

We note as we scrutinise the pristine interior surroundings, the kitchen countertops are of granite, floors are finished in ceramic tile, with off-white paint applied to internal walls and gardenia to the exterior.

The 5,200 square-foot form of the house within a defined garden, partly enbosoms the swimming pool and deck, so that you on the inside can be incorporated into the reposefulness of its blue aqueous ambience.

As a farmer now, growing pumpkin, carrots and so on, our friend has indeed worked hard and persevered, remaining true to his vision of owning the house of his dreams.

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