Dream House | Belmont cottage a ‘feast for the senses’

The healing lady was born in the United States and attended the University of Tennessee, graduating as a doctor of medicine. She gave to philanthropic institutions such as The Salvation Army while living there. But, after being a retiree for eight years, lamentably, a monotonous lifestyle set in. Thankfully, though, the good doctor was rescued by the opportune purchase of a prized piece of real estate in Belmont, Bluefields, Westmoreland. She had helplessly succumbed to the people, culture and transfixing aura of the island and, in the 10 years of living here, had been energised with a new meaning to her life. The single, 76-year-old, with three children, is, in addition, a dive master.

The spiritually reformed gentleman, whose country of birth was England, was a land surveyor, bookkeeper and publisher while in Jamaica. It would be this man, Reverend W. Ragland Phillips, ‘stoned by the poor and cursed by the rich’, who would bring, in 1887, the international, humanitarian charitable body, The Salvation Army, to this country.

Of historical note, this property was originally gifted to Reverend Phillips who lived here, and is now in the hands of the doctor, who now resides on it. The unreal, 13,939-square-foot of land has her renovated dream cottage in a wooded section with a small beach, seated on a little peninsula almost completely bordered by seawater.

The contemporary architectural simplicity showcased seeks not to disturb the serene natural environment, but rather to be in a devoted, respectful relationship with it. We witness the splendiferous entertainment gazebo sitting above the sea, along with two boats for your sailing pleasure.

The foundations of this jewel accommodate two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. We can clearly appreciate, through the large expanse of glass, the indispensable, idyllic water views and sunlight, so necessary to this idolised manner of living. The interior smiles with white-painted walls (green on the exterior), with floor tiles of porcelain. A relaxation wood deck lies directly on top of rocks and seawater, with an open-roof deck above for entertainment.

This is another architectural presentation, hidden from us until now, that is a ‘feast for the senses’.

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