The Palmetum – Under Contract

This thoroughly unique estate nestles into the hillside, just above the Four Seasons Resort Estates and Golf Course in this upmarket enclave.

The main house was built just shy of a hundred years ago in traditional West Indian style incorporating hand cut volcanic Nevisian stone, wood lap board, yellow pine wooden floors throughout, casement louvered windows and bespoke exterior shutters throughout.

The Palmetum has been completely renovated and lovingly restored by the current owners, who have very much taken the view that they are simply custodians of this truly unique and historic property,

The property  sits in 3.2 acres of landscaped perfection – stocked with one of the largest palm collections in the whole of the Caribbean, over 160 varieties, lovingly collected from all over the world by the previous owner, among them the voodoo palm, which hails from Haiti and the Old Man Beard Palm.  It was originally christened The Mount Palmetum and featured in exclusive garden tours of Nevis.  Tickets were sold in one of the garden outbuildings and it was a very popular outing for residents and visitors alike.

It also has an abundance of fruit trees including lime, lemon, several varieties of banana, mango and breadfruit and a plethora of flowering and fragrant shrubs.

The inviting 38 x 20 feet swimming pool was added recently – it is trimmed with mosaic tile and edged in Nevisian hand cut stone.  The subtle pink deck blends perfectly with the landscape and is a blissful spot for whiling away the afternoons among a plethora of pink and orange shrubs.  A modern outdoor shower is available for spritzing when it gets too warm.

The property is fully fenced and has over 300 feet of restored stacked dry stone walls, which complement the house.

SITTING ROOM/DINING ROOM

This elegant and spacious open plan sitting and dining room has the most majestic wooden ceiling in Nevis! It boasts beautiful antique yellow pine floors throughout, a covered front entry porch on one side and a wonderful covered and screened verandah on the other, which runs the length of the house and offers plenty of seating and outside dining.

Most of the furniture was commissioned by the current owners from local artisan cabinet maker Patefield Hill (who is featured in the hardback “Nevis Queen of the Caribbean”  by Deborah Lellouch)  and includes mahogany Planters Chairs, Hand Carved Sofas and an imposing 12-14 seater dining suite beautifully illuminated by a bespoke tropical chandelier.

MASTER BEDROOM/BATHROOM

The master bedroom is super spacious and the king mahogany sleigh bed lends a sense of opulence to the room with its fabulous counterpane and throw cushions. A comfy seating area, hidden TV and enormous walk in closet complete the room.

The master ensuite bathroom has a beautifully tiled double walk in shower with a his ’n’ her rain-heads, a double vanity, deep soaking tub and a WC.

GUEST BEDROOM 1

A beautifully shaped room, with queen size brass bed and a lovely selection of hand made furniture including a wonderful armoire hand painted for the owner in a tropical monkey theme.

GUEST BEDROOM 2

A charming twin guest room with a pair of bespoke four poster mahogany single beds, and an additional mahogany  trundle bed.  It has the additional benefit of private access to the cooling breezes of the front porch and is ensuite to the guest bathroom.

GUEST BATHROOM

This  large guest  bathroom has a walk in shower, vanity unit and private WC and features a original Nevisian stone wall.

KITCHEN

The well proportioned, light and airy kitchen includes bespoke cabinetry, iridescent wall tiles and another wonderful original antique pine floor. It comes fully equipped with Fridge Freezer, Stove and Dishwasher.

LARDER/LAUNDRY/MUD ROOM

The larder or bodega opens off the kitchen and leads through to the back door – it houses the hot water tank, chest freezer, washer and dryer and has ample shelving for all your needs.

VERANDAH

The verandah, which runs almost the entire length of the house, is where you will spend most your time.  The new hand-cut Nevisian stone floor keeps it cool underfoot, it is  fully screened and fitted with sun shades, making it the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, drinks and dinner.  It is the ideal space for entertaining, with various seating areas and dining options.

FRONT PORCH

This lovely and relaxing front porch, is a cool and private spot for relaxing on the comfortable wooden Adirondack chairs commune with nature. The view across the garden offers a myriad of various palms with The Peak of Mount Nevis as the backdrop.

HALL/LOBBY

An elegant hall/lobby which could be used as a small office/bureau or library.

APARTMENT

This large Nevisian stone outbuilding has been converted to a well-proportioned self-contained one bedroom apartment, with sitting room, bedroom, bathroom and fully fitted kitchen.

There is an additional room attached to it, which was once the ticket office, referred to earlier, which could also be converted for further guest accommodation or used as a gym or office.

GARAGE/OUTBUILDINGS

There is a stone garage block that includes a barn, a tool shop and generator room. The generator had been rebuilt in the neighbouring island of St Kitts and has been serviced regularly.

LAUNDRY COTTAGE

The picture perfect Laundry Cottage building has been fully restored, and has a cute verandah on the front, louvred windows and is finished off with a pretty gingerbread trim.  It is ready to be furnished as a additional guest bedroom, office or gym/yoga space.

GARDENERS COTTAGE

The Gardeners Cottage was originally built to provide accommodation in the grounds for a resident caretaker.  This rare and wonderful example of a traditional Nevisian Case House, is made of stone and wood and looks like two houses – it is best enjoyed as an architectural folly which lends a true sense of history to the grounds.

POTTERS SHED

A rustic old shed for carrying out all your gardening needs – conveniently next to the shade houses – there are a host of old palm tree signs here which is a perfect sorting out activity for a rainy day.

CISTERNS/IRRIGATION

The property has 2 original Nevisian stone rainwater cisterns, with a complete pump and black light filter system. There is an extensive drip system for all the landscaping around the house and a newly installed landscape lighting system.

SHADE HOUSE/NURSERY

The Palmetum was originally a commercial nursery and still has a shade house (with shade netting) in the grounds which is fully stocked with young plants and saplings.  This is the perfect opportunity for the new owner to maintain the garden plant stock, try out new varieties and cultivate rare palms from seed in the potting shed and the mulch house.

AMENITIES

• Swimming Pool
• Outside Shower
• Government Water
• Cistern Water x 2
• NEVLEC
• Cable & Wireless
• Alarm System
• Drip Irrigation system
• Sold furnished

NOTES:

• New roof throughout
• Air Conditioning in all the bedrooms
• Ceiling fans throughout
• Full Screened Verandah with Sunshades