First built in 2003 and perched on the peninsula that divides Brewer’s Bay and Shark Bay on Tortola’s North Shore – Outer Banks is waterfront Caribbean living at its best, with uninterrupted sea views and easy walking access to one of Tortola’s most pristine stretches of beach. The villa and its guest house sit in a quiet residential neighbourhood on a private access road shared by only a couple of other properties and boasts complete privacy.
Upon purchasing Outer Banks in 2013, the new owners Guy and Joan Burgess soon embarked on a meticulous renovation of the spacious property that took two years to complete, across two construction phases. They worked with local architects Thor Downing and Victoria Bezemer alongside Debi Carson and through careful redesign, were able to retain all of the authentic island charms that first attracted them to the property while making significant updates to the residence. Over the course of the extensive work to the property, they sympathetically restored charming original features like the warm terracotta tiles throughout, the solid wood patio doors and the stylish mahogany kitchen. While making functional and contemporary upgrades to introduce additional conveniences, increase the number of bedrooms and open up the living spaces. Their attention to even the most minor details and mindful restoration has ensured a refurbishment of the highest standards. As a result, Outer Banks now demonstrates a perfect example of traditional West Indian architecture seamlessly blended with modern amenities.
The main house at Outer Banks comprises three generous bedrooms. The primary suite is on the top floor and the two guest rooms are on the bottom floor, with the main living area between them. A further two bedrooms are in the adjacent guest house, all linked by a tiled outdoor staircase. Wide verandas run along the front of the property on all three stories, with chairs and plush loungers. Each bedroom has its own private porch capitalising on the exquisite views of the nearby white sand beach at Brewer’s Bay and the neighbouring island of Jost Van Dyke. Below you, the reef teems with fish and charter boats quietly pull into the Bay for safe and peaceful anchorage overnight.
During the renovation, the owners and their construction team modified the guest house from a small one-bedroom with a separate kitchen and living area to a spacious two-bedroom unit with large en suite bathrooms. All five bedrooms on the property now also have the comfort of air conditioning as well as the option to throw open the windows to enjoy the cooling sea breezes and the rhythmic sound of the lapping waves below. In addition, all but one of the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, one with an outdoor shower, and a half guest bathroom is situated just off the kitchen.
The tasteful decor and dark wood furnishings have been carefully curated and lend an elegant feel to the home. An aesthetically pleasing mixture of colour and texture incorporates wicker and carved hardwood with pops of blue and vibrant coral pink. Nautical accents tie in the beautiful waterfront setting. The living area has a large flat-screen television equipped with satellite and a Sonos sound system. There is Wi-Fi throughout the property. The bedrooms feature large mahogany four-poster beds and plenty of functional storage. The newly refitted bathrooms are light and bright, with sleek modern fixtures and large mirrors.
The owners opted to keep the traditional mahogany cabinetry in the kitchen and add to it, extending the counter and cabinet space and carefully matching the new units to the original. The fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances and large open plan indoor/outdoor living area now provides a convivial gathering point for pre-dinner cocktails and effortless entertaining. The kitchen and living room are separated by the generous marble-topped kitchen island and accompanying bar stools. As you gaze from this sociable living space out through the double patio doors – the pelicans’ swoop and fish swim in the turquoise waters below. Conveniently just outside the kitchen is the covered outdoor dining terrace by the pool – beautifully furnished with an eight seat hardwood table ideal for hosting intimate dinner parties al fresco as the sun dips below the horizon and the twinkling stars come out. The wide open wooden doors across the two sides of this considerable reception space help to bring the outside in, blurring the lines between indoors and out and creating a lovely flow.
The pool terrace at Outer Banks looks directly out over the water and is surrounded by fragrant tropical gardens and lush plants. The spacious sunbathing deck is amply furnished with comfortable loungers and a shady, covered cabana. There is truly no better place to pause and reflect. It calls you to lay-out, take in the relaxing sea views and enjoy a good book and a cocktail.
Whether you are a large group or a couple, there is something for everyone at Outer Banks; enjoy the peaceful tranquility at the villa or get out to explore. Brewer’s Bay is a peaceful haven, untouched by overdevelopment. The surrounding area is home to the popular hiking trail to the Bat Cave and the ruins of the Sugar Mill on Mount Healthy. There is also a quiet beach bar at Brewer’s, perfect for a quick lunch or rum punch after a day snorkeling the clear waters of the Bay.
Practical amenities at Outer Banks include the electric entrance gate to the property, a backup generator to ensure that your electrical supply is never interrupted and a sturdy covered carport with space for three vehicles. There is also access to a dock below the house – ideal for mooring or launching a small boat. For some years, Outer Banks has been successfully operating as a vacation rental villa with proven rental income – and the utilities at the house support this with locked owner’s storage and separate guest laundry facilities.
Chris Smith of Coldwell Banker says of the residence, “When we were first introduced to the property by the original owners and builders of this charming home, it was known as ‘Sea Grape Villa’. The current owners did a fantastic job of modernising the villa whilst losing none of its original charms. Outer Banks is an exquisite Caribbean home in an exceptional waterfront location.”
All the elements of laidback island living are taken care of here. So, whether you are looking for a family home or a vacation property, if you are seeking a secluded waterfront Caribbean retreat that blends traditional island architecture with all the modern comforts of home, look no further than Outer Banks.
