Nestled in the iconic rocky coastline of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands is Valley Trunk Estate. A family-owned property held for four generations. This substantial private estate was recently restored and fully renovated, with beautiful design upgrades that perfectly complement the property’s unique character. The vast 19-acre parcel of land is set in a prime waterfront location, a tropical oasis amid the boulders that make the Virgin Gorda landscape so distinctive.
After 40-years of enjoying the calm tranquillity of this secluded family residence, the current owners are now offering this property for sale.
On arrival, the gated, palm-lined road sweeps down to the large circular driveway and impressive entrance pagoda—a beautiful shady structure with carved African wood statues and a lush bed of tropical flowers and palms that stretch up and out of the open roof. The textured coral stone pathways then lead guests from here toward the pool, the gardens and the guest areas.
The exquisitely furnished guest accommodations are comprised of four distinct areas and laid out across 19,000 sq ft of living space. The main house contains a spacious primary suite above the living room, bar, billiards table, and cinema room. Adjacent to that is the dining hall and kitchen. The estate has ten beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms in total, comfortably accommodating up to 20 guests [or up to 28 guests with the additional four-bedroom villa].
Originally designed by a team of French architects in co-ordination with Roger Downing four decades ago and built to accommodate a large multi-generational family, the carefully considered layout of the separate guest units ensures a sense of privacy while enabling easy access between the rooms. Each of the bedrooms has its own patio area with loungers to recline and relax on and take advantage of the impeccable sea views. Swinging chairs dotted about the property provide the perfect spot to pause and unwind, enjoying the sea breeze with a good book. Ocean Villa has three en suite bedrooms, and Garden Villa has four; a large living and dining area links the two, providing a cosy, private family space. The more extensive Pool Suite and Coral Suite, with their en suite bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and study areas, make up the rest of the accommodations in the main compound. All of the bedrooms are furnished with dark wood furniture from Kenya, many with four poster beds and intricate carvings. Tasteful artwork featuring local flora and fauna, shells, and coral decorates the walls.
An additional 2,500 sq ft guest villa adds a further four guest bedrooms, a tennis court, and a fitness centre – just a short walk from the grounds of the main lot.
The magnificent primary suite is situated above the living area and benefits from spectacular views of the Channel. The floor to ceiling glass windows flood the rooms with natural light and fold back to enjoy the cooling trade winds. Translucent white curtains billow around the four-poster bed, and the smooth travertine tiles are cool underfoot. The en-suite bathroom is a spa-like sanctuary with a generous free-standing bathtub, double sinks and a huge rainfall shower. Further down the corridor, a private study area and walk-in wardrobe.
Downstairs, in the heart of the house, the living room features a large bar area and billiards room with a full-size billiards table.
Double doors open into the large cinema room with sumptuous, oversized cream daybeds to sink into and patterned scatter cushions.
The dining area offers the ideal entertaining space where the air-conditioned formal dining room opens up with concertina glass doors to include the large al fresco terrace area. Seamlessly adding space to host a larger group while enabling the indoor/outdoor aspect synonymous with luxury Caribbean living. A fully equipped professional kitchen with a gas range, stainless steel prep areas, a walk-in fridge and freezer, a sizeable host station, and a butler’s pantry offers more than enough space for a private chef, or a team of chefs, to create deliciously inventive dishes.
A large fresh-water, free-form infinity pool wraps beautifully around the front of the property. It offers expansive views of the cerulean blue waters and the horizon studded with little white sailboats. A furnished deck next to the pool is dotted with comfortable loungers and sun shades. Lush green foliage and a soothing water feature line the curved edges of the pool.
The estate boasts an extensive 10,000 sq ft of outdoor entertaining space, and walls of windows open onto grand porticos that bring the outdoors in. Covered terraces and patios, all with the pale cream natural coral tiles that are warmed by the afternoon sun. These spacious open-air living areas capitalize on the West-facing afternoon sunlight and stunning sunset vistas across the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Oversized armchairs and day beds provide a relaxed but elegant space to host guests and family.
Picturesque and winding wooden walkways picks their way unobtrusively through and over the boulders down to the beach, the pathways weaving around the natural rock formations preserving the estate’s natural beauty. Mature fruit trees, cashew trees and an array of native plants and flowers flank the path. These nature trails are just some of the routes down to the pristine stretch of beach at Big Trunk Bay; the paved estate road also runs along the side of the property and down to the beach, allowing golf buggy access and a means to transport all of the beach essentials conveniently. Next to the beach’s access gate sits the Bali House where renovation is being completed. The ideal base for a day of relaxing at the beach.
The estate borders the entire length of Big Trunk Bay – an unspoilt beach, secluded and most often completely deserted. Approximately 1000 ft of soft white sand with lapping turquoise waters provide the perfect spot to snorkel the live coral reef or explore with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. The granite boulders bookend either end of this beautiful expanse of beach. The beach named after the native Leatherback turtles nesting there, known locally as ‘Trunks’. The Leatherback turtle has also become the emblem for the property.
Set back in its 19-acre plot, the houses of the estate are virtually invisible from the water, thanks to the way that the villas blend in with the grounds and the lush Caribbean landscaping. The design of the buildings is sympathetic to the natural landscape around them with the use of exposed stonework and the forest green roof tiles. Shielded by the towering granite rock formations and the impeccably maintained tropical gardens, an unparalleled level of privacy is afforded by the rocky outcrop that surrounds the estate.
Previously utilized as a successful luxury wellness retreat with a full-time staff. The estate is well provisioned with two two-bedroom staff cottages and a two-bedroom manager’s house accommodating up to 8 live-in employees. A generously sized maintenance block houses the laundry area, linen storage, an office and all of the back-of-house facilities. This, in addition to a large generator, carport and goods entrance, provides the functionality needed to comfortably operate a compound of this size.
Edward Childs of Smiths Gore BVI Limited says of this exquisite estate “Very occasionally; a property will come to the market which is unique in terms of location, included acreage and quality of development. Valley Trunk Estate stands out as a property which competes with the best private estates in the Caribbean and is suited to the purchaser looking for a secluded estate home suitable for multi-generational use.”
The quietly unassuming gated access road to the compound belies the magnificent estate discovered within, and the uniquely private nature of this legacy property means that it feels worlds away and more like an island resort. Having been a truly exceptional Caribbean home to a family for many years, this is a rare opportunity to secure this extraordinary residence for generations to come.
