BAHAMAS MANSION WAS FIT FOR A KING
LONG before Megxit and the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, another royal couple made headlines for their controversial life choices. After Edward VIII made the decision to give up the throne and abdicate to live with the woman he loved, Mrs Simpson, he became Governor of the Bahamas.
When they arrived on the island in 1940, they had to wait while the governor’s mansion was redecorated to Wallis Simpson’s exquisite taste.
So, while they did, they bought and moved into a large country estate – Sigrist House – one of the most beautiful properties in the whole of Bahamas.
Located on a ridge just outside Nassau, on a four-acre plot overlooking the ocean and bay, the Spanish colonial house was built in 1939 by British film producer and aviation pioneer Frederick Sigrist. Fittingly, for its then formerroyal residents, the 15,000sqft main house oozes British character with wood panelling and fireplaces, four of which were specially imported from English country houses.
Rare white mahogany wood panelling was sent to England to be refined then shipped back to Nassau to be installed in the mansion.
Gardens at Sigrist House are considered to be among the best in the West Indies, including fruit and coconut trees, a swimming pool and jacuzzi, all enjoying fabulous views over the grounds, saltwater canals and Atlantic Ocean in the distance.
Now on the market priced $8.5m, the elegant Bahamas estate comprises the main house, with four bedrooms, plus a three-bedroom apartment and two four-bedroom guest houses.
In total the estate has 15 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.
Retaining much of its original character, from when the former Duke and Duchess lived there, it has been updated and refurbished, including renovation of the roofs, woodwork and ironwork, and the updating of all electrics and plumbing, as well as the installation of a gourmet kitchen.
Sigrist House is listed with Mark Hussey of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty (sirbahamas. com) for $8.5m.