Dream House | Healing Ocho Rios oasis

A road to recovery rises skywards to the highest spot above Ocho Rios, St Ann, at an elevation of 1,800-feet above sea level, with geographic coordinates of 18.38250 N and 77.12760 W.

This hill, with an unbeatable bird’s-eye vantage point, evokes reverence and wonderment. Behold the vast space and unspoilt topography with limitless greenery, while inhaling the breezy airflow with far less pollutants at this altitude.

Welcome to a state of new-found inner peace, freedom and optimism, allowing you to feel ‘on top of the world’, amid the optimal healing powers of this natural environment.

The protracted drive towards the clouds on an unpaved, compacted marl roads guides us finally to our destination – a remote abode, surrounded partly by farmland on 95 undulating acres, with no neighbours as far as the eye can see.

The rehabilitated architectural configuration in its simplicity is emboldened by a colonnade of arches, adding style to the porch frontage, from where views leave you speechless. The three bedrooms, two bathrooms, with living, dining and a small island kitchen in an open-plan layout, is unpretentious in its overall décor.

Construction particulars include: a concrete slab roof, terrazzo tiled floors, granite kitchen counters, and an off-white wall colour hue.

Rapturously received, the substantially sized, open-air terrace is fitted with a firepit to gather around on chilly nights while roasting marshmallows, along with a shimmering, kidney-shaped pool.

The estate was purchased in the early 1970s with the late Neville ‘Bunny’ East becoming sole proprietor. It is now controlled by his sons Paul (managing director of the family business, a major dealer in office and furniture supplies), and his brother Gregory. Paul’s wife Annalese is tasked with keeping the family retreat in good order.

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