A New Community – Residents of the BVI recognize Little Bay as the up and coming premier neighbourhood on the Islands. Recently, new sections of land have been released for sale in the beachside cove. These developments will work together to create a luxury community. The theme of the new community at Little Bay is forward-thinking, conscientious construction in a quiet, private, beachfront setting situated in one of the most ideal locations on Tortola.
Photo by yachtshotsbvi.com
The idea behind construction at Little Bay is “green luxury.” Large trees provide shade, including some of the tallest coconut palm trees on Tortola. In addition to the vegetation that’s native to the hillside, Little Bay has a nursery full of fruit-bearing trees—banana, soursop, papaya, lime—as well as flowering plants, trees and shrubs that are used for landscaping the property.
A promenade, bordered by tropical plants such as mangroves and sea grape trees, leads residents from their homes to the pristine beach at Little Bay. The sand looks like powdered almonds, dotted only by a sandpiper or two, and it continues straight to the surf where it carpets the ocean floor. Unlike some of the reefy, rocky shallows of the BVI, Little Bay’s swimming area consists of nothing but soft sand and the rippling aquamarine sea. Typically, the waters of Little Bay remain flat, but an occasional swell sees them suitable for more active watersports. The famed granite boulders of the BVI flank each side of the beach—rocky havens perfect for barefoot hikes and the home of pelicans, crabs and other shoreside wildlife. Furthermore, a deepwater cave is a short snorkel from the shore.
Little Bay is a strictly residential, non-commercial community with its own private road. No beach bars or shops clutter the tree line. Instead, a large pagoda, furnished with barbecues and refrigerators, is set back just beyond the beach for homeowner use. The pagoda offers a gathering place for family events, special occasions or a place to simply lounge in the shade on a sunny afternoon.
For shopping and dining, the village of East End is less than a five-minute drive over the mountain. East End has several grocery and convenience stores, gas stations, a world-class bakery, fresh fish market, a marina and some of Tortola’s best bars and restaurants. Adjacent to East End, and only ten minutes away from Little Bay, is Beef Island, the location of Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. Trellis Bay, another popular spot on Beef Island, hosts more restaurants and cafes, a watersports centre, an art studio and the monthly eastside Full Moon party. While Little Bay beach is one of the finest in the BVI, many more beaches are located less than ten minutes away. Lambert Beach, Well Bay and Long Bay, Beef Island are all close by, as well as Josiah’s Bay, known as one of the best surfing beaches in the BVI.
Photo by yachtshotsbvi.com
Homeowners have three developments in Little Bay to choose from. The first development, The Plantation Estate at Little Bay (formerly Sandcastles), offers homesites with waterfront land as well as valley and hillside lots. The Plantation Estate homes are each a minimum of 4000 square feet with several architectural style design options: Mediterranean style—inspired by the Tuscan hillsides, Hacienda style with a South American influence or Caribbean style—filled with vernacular accents. All three styles share similarities, such as outdoor dining, areas, cathedral ceilings, swimming pools and open-plan living spaces. Also used in all homes in The Plantation at Little Bay are top of the line amenities and finishes. Stainless steel appliances, central air conditioning and high-efficiency hurricane windows enhance the luxe atmosphere created by the granite, marble and hardwood countertops and floors. All homes will have striking views of Little Bay beach, Guana Island and the Atlantic Ocean.
The main construction material at The Plantation Estate is aerated concrete—lightweight, efficient blocks that trap and disperse the cold. Maritha Keil of Caribbean Realty mentions how she walked into a building that was built from aerated concrete, and she instantly sensed the difference. “I felt like I had walked into a wine cooler,” she says. Imagine a material that retains the coolness of air conditioning and evenly diffuses it throughout the walls. As opposed to cool air being simply blown from vents or air conditioning units, this stone holds the temperature, making the entire house cooler. Other benefits of the blocks include the fact that they are fire, termite and mildew resistant. Plus, they are lightweight, making them easier to work with during construction.
The second development, called the Seaside Villas at Little Bay, offers lots with the same stunning views that all Little Bay residents find impossible to take for granted. These sites offer more freedom of construction, allowing buyers to build their own design or use the established builders of The Plantation. Many buyers seek land in the BVI with their ideal home already in mind or with specific design requirements. The centre land at Little Bay allows these buyers to live in their dream home while taking advantage of the peaceful, lush surroundings of the Little Bay community.
There are only a few other lots available for purchase in the original Little Bay Villas development where several of the homes have been completed and are currently being used by either full-time residents or vacation villa owners. Due to the convenient and enviable location to the airport, great restaurants, marinas to keep their yachts, and the luxury of having a pristine swimming beach within walking distance of their homes, the developments at Little Bay present a lucrative and convenient place to invest in real estate on Tortola.
With mindful, energy efficient materials and amenities, secluded, resident-only access and a convenient yet isolated location, Little Bay is poised to become the next elite community on Tortola. The above developments enable buyers to build either as part of The Plantation which offers the highest quality of finishes and no stress on the homeowner who wants a turnkey home without the hassles of trying to build on their own, or to build in one of the other developments, independently, according to the buyer’s own desires. Either way, the new community at Little Bay allows buyers to actualize the dream of owning their private, luxury home in the BVI.
