Just like British and Spanish explorers, people still look to the Caribbean for adventure and real estate. Unlike Christopher Columbus, they know they will not find Asia there but can find investment opportunities that may prove to be the real treasure.
Grand Cayman is the largest and westernmost of the three Cayman Islands. It is approximately 76 square miles in area, 22 miles long and is home to nearly 70,000 residents, nearly half of whom are expats. It also is home to 100,000 companies, which may sound strange until you factor in one of the attributes that make the Caymans so popular: the income tax rate, or lack of one. The Caymans have no annual property or capital gains taxes and no restrictions on foreign ownership if the property is for personal use. This ― and the natural beauty ― makes the Caymans extremely attractive for those who can afford it.
Grand Cayman is the largest and westernmost of the three Cayman Islands. (1503 Property Group)
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A case in point is Villa Emerald, a six-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom home fronted by 100 feet of white powdery beach and a stunning aquamarine sea. The 9,500-square-foot residence, set on half an acre, is a blend of old and new, with new in just the right places.
The Caymans still feel decidedly British and, like the British Caribbean homes of days gone by, this three-story home has high ceilings, ceiling fans and marble floors that are cool against the feet. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of the ocean from the inside comfort of air conditioning.
The property features 100 feet of white powdery beach and a stunning aquamarine sea. (1503 Property Group)
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Large rooms with walls painted white or in pale colors convey a sense of openness. Yet the furniture ― included in the purchase price ― is straight out of affluent British design. Think four-poster beds, classic wood cabinetry and chairs and couches that are big, overstuffed and completely comfortable. It is contemporary British West Indies décor at its prettiest and most historic: a blend of British Colonial, Indian, African, Chinese, South Asian and Caribbean styles ― a visual representation of the past passion for exploration.
The floor plan is made for modern lives, though, with two primary bedroom suites ― one on the first floor and another on the second. All bedrooms are generous in size as are additional bedrooms for children and guests. The third floor holds a game room complete with a kitchen and a balcony view of the ocean. A separate apartment above the three-car garage provides privacy for long-term houseguests or live-in staff.
The 9,500-square-foot residence features high ceilings, polished stone floors and oversized windows that capture the view. (1503 Property Group)
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The main floor contains spacious living and dining areas and a sizable kitchen that is decked out with high-end appliances and lots of storage space.
On the sea-facing side of the home, the horizon pool is fronted by a stone deck and opens to a cabana at the end of a 175-foot dock. A glass floor creates a window on the sea life below.
The floor plan is made for family living and entertaining and features two primary bedroom suites and four additional bedrooms. (1503 Property Group)
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Located on the quieter South Sound of Grand Cayman, yet less than a 15-minute drive from the capital city of George Town and the tourist-favored Seven Mile Beach, Villa Emerald is near shops, supermarkets, schools and rugby, squash and tennis clubs.
Owen Roberts International Airport serves major airlines.
Nick Sellars and Ruth Gustafsson of 1503 Property Group are the listing agents for the property at 1138 South Sound Road. (1503 Property Group)
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Nick Sellars and Ruth Gustafsson of 1503 Property Group are the listing agents for the property, on the market for US $7.77 million, at 1138 South Sound Road, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
The asking price is US $7.77 million. (1503 Property Group)
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