Jamaica Gleaner

Norbrook Estate home boasts hand-crafted details, unparallel­ed views

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

EACH WEEK this column gladly acknowledg­es, and lends praise to motivation­al residentia­l architectu­re, allowing readers to be a part of their very essence.

But unknown to many of us, overshadow­ed by their inherent virtues, numerous dream houses, while under constructi­on, have had the great misfortune of suffering all types of mishaps before their finalisati­on.

Take for instance, this edifice on a ridge, on top of all of Kingston. Its scary moment came in 2000, when its unforgivin­g, rocky, half-acre topography was being dynamited to erect foundation­s. Horrifying­ly, three gargantuan boulders were uprooted, galloped helplessly down the hillside, smack into three separate residences below! Thank heavens, a sigh of relief was breathed after the ordeal.

The consummate house, buttressed by 30 feet vertical gardens (green retaining walls), is robustly positioned in Norbrook Estate, St Andrew.

LIVING SPACES

Its living space encompasse­s 7,500 square feet of four bedrooms (primary with balcony), with en suite bathrooms (primary with Jacuzzi tubs and double vanity sinks). We witness a welcoming foyer; great room opening to an arched patio; formal dining room leading to said patio; breakfast nook; and a greenhouse breakfast patio with customised water fountain. Then there is the butcher block, centre countertop island kitchen, with a customfitt­ed wine rack. Library with floor -to-ceiling glass enclosed shelving, and a home office.

The basement houses two bedrooms en suite for staff, complete with kitchen and private patio. Revealing itself, also, is a four-car garage, with automated doors.

Speaking of virtues earlier, we cannot suppress being thunderstr­uck by these sumptuous details that strike the eye and gladden the spirit: killer views to die for; 30 feet high vaulted ceilings; grand mahogany stairs; romantic fireplace with riverstone chimney. Floors of Jerusalem antique gold, and marble tiles, joined by Guyanese jotoba hardwood flooring; oriel (solar controlled) windows; handcrafte­d Italian stone wall tiles; granite marble, corian, and quartz countertop­s throughout, complement­ed by a colour scheme of white and dark brown.

Outdoors ambience is intensifie­d by a 20-foot high waterfall at the front, with a brick floor barbecue area at rear.

The owners declare the house has not only lived up to, but surpassed their unbridled dreams!

 ?? PHOTOS BY
TROY CAMPBELL ?? A dream edifice sitting on top of Kingston.
PHOTOS BY TROY CAMPBELL A dream edifice sitting on top of Kingston.
 ?? ?? Enter a magnificen­t home that strikes the eye and gladdens the spirit.
Enter a magnificen­t home that strikes the eye and gladdens the spirit.
 ?? ?? Barry Rattray CONTRIBUTO­R
Barry Rattray CONTRIBUTO­R
 ?? PHOTOS BY TROY CAMPBELL ?? The greenhouse breakfast patio with a customised water fountain.
PHOTOS BY TROY CAMPBELL The greenhouse breakfast patio with a customised water fountain.

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