Antigua’s oldest properties, the Great House at Hodges Bay, is being sensitively restored back to its former glory as part of a new residential and hotel development called ‘Elle Antigua’. The former plantation home will be turned into an exclusive five star boutique hotel with 22 luxury residences in the grounds, which are being sold on a buy-to let basis.
The home, which dates back to the 17th century, is Antigua’s oldest occupied house and was built by its owner the British General Hodge who ran a sugar and cotton plantation. Built from stones that were originally used as ballast in the ships that arrived frequently from England, the building has many of its original features, such as a giant hearth. Today Hodges Bay, on the north-west coast of Antigua, is one of the most desirable residential districts due to its close proximity to the capital of St Johns and the international airport, both 10 minutes away.
The 22 freehold properties will be built in a colonial style using glass to give them a modern twist alongside traditional Caribbean materials, such as wood. They will be situated around two swimming pools, one infinity pool and one freeform pool with rock and water features, in the gardens surrounding the hotel overlooking the Caribbean. They will include two bedroom waterfront cottages with decked verandas and plunge pools, romantic two bedroom country garden cottages and contemporary two and three bedroom townhouses.
The hotel and residences will have a 24 hour butler service, with an emphasis on providing ‘a home from home’ experience. Personal touches such as the owners’ and guests’ preferences for music, flowers and magazines will be put in their home prior to their arrival. There will be a health and beauty spa, 50 cover restaurant, a convenience store, juice bar, library and lounge bar also on site.
The properties will be sold on a buy-to-let basis with owners guaranteed a minimum 6% p.a return on their investment for two years, with six weeks usage per year.
Geoff McClure, Account Director of UK and Ireland marketing agents Premier Resorts says “The mix of old meets new is a unique selling point and very different from anything else in Antigua. When you add the fantastic onsite facilities and butler service, we think Elle Antigua ticks all the boxes.”
With its 365 beaches, peaceful natural beauty and old colonial charm, Antigua has always been a popular destination for the British who with 92,500 visiting in 2005 far out-number any other nationalities. There are already daily flights from the UK and as from December 2006 there will be a new weekly budget flight available from the charter airline Excel who are offering prices from £229 economy and £489 business class. This will be particularly attractive to second home owners who may be travelling to Antigua several times a year.
The development company is Hodges Bay Estate Ltd, founded by Lanny Smikle and Linda Hillaire. Lanny has been developing residential property for over 19 years with his early working career spent at the Savoy Hotel covering all aspects of hotel management. He hopes to emulate the Savoy’s elegance and discreet standards of service at Elle Antigua. His partner Linda Hillaire, of Antiguan parentage, is a share holder,
The architects are William Saunders Partnership LLP. Founded over 150 years ago, the practice has a wide and varied client base and carries out work in many different sectors, including commercial, leisure, retail, and leisure pools.
Elle Antigua is due for completion by the end of October 2008.
Prices for a 2 bed country garden cottage (1520 sq.ft) start at US$608,000, a 3 bed town house (2582 sq. ft) start at US$581,250 and a 2 bed waterfront cottage (2744 sq. ft) start at US$1,118,000. All prices include fixtures and furnishings.
For further information visit elleantigua.com.