Nestled in almost an acre of lush, private gardens, this exceptional property commands a magical position in the mountains overlooking one of Tortola's most pristine beaches. Breathtaking vistas of the northern coastline unfold as far as the eye can see, with uninterrupted ocean and island views to the north. Within just a few minute's walk from 2 of the island's best beaches, Ridge House truly captures the essence and luxury of Caribbean living.

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Four Homes in One: At the end of a private, paved driveway, lined with crimson bougainvillea and swaying palms, the majestic Ridge House is perfectly positioned to capture the magnificence of life in paradise - from sky-show spectacular to constantly shifting seascape.

The Ridge House is in fact four homes in one and, uniquely, each unit offers privacy and individuality without losing that feeling of being an integral part of a larger household.

For the right person or family, Ridge House offers a unique combination of luxury, privacy, comfort and charm. As the owner Mr. Turpin says, "When we chose this house, we had a specific need to house our multi-generation family in comfort and independence. In doing so, we found the perfect home."

Please scroll down for a DETAILED DESCRIPTION
and MORE PHOTOS of Ridge House:

Dawn at Ridge House (written by the owner): I awake in perfect silence - save the gentle, rhythmic chant of the ocean - its long journey culminating on the sandy beach below. A cool breeze caresses my skin, whispering 'good morning' as I lie in bed, allowing the tropical ambiance of early morn to saturate my soul. The breeze brings with it the faint scent of blossom and ocean freshness and, as I breathe in each moment, I feel as if my beautiful home nestled in the mountains of Tortola is the only place on earth.But as always, the beckoning of the sun's rise draws me from this luscious moment and I crawl out of bed. The smallest glow of morning begins to chase the darkness away.

Walking through the hallway towards the kitchen, I stop for a moment as I enter the Great Room - so grand and stately. As always, this room fills me with a sense of pleasure and appreciation. I remember again, as I do often, falling in love with this majestic room the first time I entered it - with its vaulted ceilings, sprawling openness and natural light flooding in from all sides. This room has a sense of being part of the natural beauty that encircles our home in the sun.As I open the oversized double-doors to the east, the trade wind breezes find their path across my face. Outside, another unique creation of dawn is cast across the waking sky; the verdant hills are like dark green giants silhouetted against the light as our lonely planet turns gently towards the rising sun. The breeze wraps me in a cool embrace reminding me of the aliveness of this moment. Our Caribbean island re-awakens.

I wander into the kitchen and put the coffee on; then across the Great Room to open the double French doors to the west, spilling out onto a deep, covered wooden deck. I marvel at the stunning beach and ocean views, contrasted against the gentle green hills and valleys to the east. There is nothing like watching the reflected light of the sun's rise on the unfolding headlands of our volcanic island, rising majestically from the warm, tropical waters. Like an emerald atop a golden setting, Tortola rests on the shimmering golden beaches of the Caribbean in beauty and splendour; a phenomenon of nature that only the hardest of hearts could resist.

With both sides of the Great Room open to nature's expanse, there's an overwhelming feeling of freedom, space and light - a oneness with the outside world. The trade winds flow through the house unconstrained and refreshing as always, another reason we fell in love with the house. I often think back to the summer afternoon when we first viewed it. We had seen many properties that day, and were hot and tired from traipsing all over the island. Then we had walked into this magnificent room! The contrast was delicious as the cool breeze enveloped us and refreshed us, instantly and exquisitely. Sitting on the hilltop ridge, I could see that the breeze would be captured - no matter from where it blew - at all times, and I thought in contrast of all the other properties we'd seen, set back in the mountain-side, creating a dead-end for any breeze. I asked the lady in residence at the time, "Is it always this cool?", and she had smiled in assent… "We have air conditioners in every room," she had said, "but have yet to even turn them on."

As I pick up my coffee and wander onto the large, wooden deck, the dawn has become a spectacular vision of shimmering pastels and illuminated clouds edged with iridescent gold. The ocean looms out as far as the eye can see to the north, the waves highlighted in the sun's reflections below, climbing up on the sandy beach and then falling back in the rhythmic swell that laps against the island day and night. Walking onto this over-sized veranda, it feels as if you are in a tree house, suspended in the branches of the mature tropical trees that surround you. These lush natural elements provide delicious shade from the hot tropical sun, and frame the spectacular views of the beach below.

Sitting down in this sweet comfort, protected by an over-sized canopy, I am in the place our family spends most of its time - eating, communing, entertaining - and listen as the dawn chorus of birds begins to signal the waking of all life. This private deck is lined with passion fruit vines, bougainvillea, hibiscus and coconut palms, and from here I look out at the tiered gardens and lawn below, scattered with the massive boulders that nature left high on this hilltop many centuries past. Coconut, papaya, lime and banana trees, mature and lush, fill the limits of my sight, swaying gently in the breeze showing off their ripening fruits, turning from green to yellow to signify their readiness to be picked and enjoyed. Later in the day this wonderful retreat becomes an observatory for humming birds, native Turtle Doves, and the pelicans diving on shoals of fish shadowed just below the surface of the aqua waters of Lambert Beach.

Sitting in my little haven, my hiding place from a busy world, I feel the pang of loss at having to leave my home. This has been my sanctuary of nature and beauty and life and oceans and mountains and beaches and headlands and verdant trees for the last 3 happy years - the place where my heart has rested - content and at peace; my island retreat.

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PROPERTY DETAILS: Ridge House

Ridge House features an expansive main house, with 2 separate guest houses and a caretaker's studio - all completely independent with full kitchens. This unique feature makes the property ideal for a large family (especially one with multiple generations!), someone who anticipates frequent visitors, or for a business venue which requires separate accommodations for guests.

• Over 7,000 square feet total
• 5,000 square feet interior living area
• 2,000 square feet decking and patio (covered and private for each unit)
• 0.8 acres of mature, landscaped garden
• Large swimming pool: 34' x 16' with deep end for diving. Featuring Ozone and Mineral Ion Treatment System. This system is chemical-free and easy-to-maintain. The pool requires about 10 minutes a week to check and vacuum, low running costs, and no paid maintenance (for which most pool owners on the island pay an average of $200 a month).

• Main House - 2-bed/2 en suite baths (approx 2,500 square feet)
• Cornerstone Guest House - 1-bed/1-bath (approx 1,250 square feet)
• Hillside Guest House - 1-bed/1-bath apt (approx 1,250 square feet)
• Treetop Studio (approx 400 square feet)
  
• All with full kitchen, en suite bathrooms, walk-in closets and views of the Lambert Beach and the Ocean and the extensive North shore of Tortola

• Private entrance and driveway
• 4 car garage with workshop
• Additional parking for up to 6 cars
• Gentle slopes, wheelchair access, ramps
• Easy access by car
• Huge storage room with laundry (can be converted to additional bedroom or workshop)
• Large cistern for total independence (although option to connect to town water supplies)
• Hurricane protection - no overhangs, strong concrete construction, custom-made and easy-to-fit hurricane shutters
• Can be sold furnished or unfurnished

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LOCATION FEATURES:

Immediate Area:

• Miles of undeveloped country roads nearby for hiking or mountain biking
• One of the most exclusive areas on Tortola, with many of the island's largest multi-million dollar homes being constructed.

• Quiet secluded and off-the-beaten-track
• Yet only 2 minutes drive (10 minutes walk) to TWO of Tortola's most beautiful beaches, one on either side of Ridge House: Lambert Bay and Little Bay.
• Ridge House offers immediate access to Lambert Beach Resort and all their facilities, including enormous swimming pool, bar, restaurant, resident parking and more.

Lambert Bay, also known as Elizabeth Bay, is one of the north shore's finest beaches and is a favourite picnic spot for residents because of its sheltering palm grove and fine white sand. A resort is located behind the beach.

Lambert Beach Resort (2 minutes drive at bottom of hill) consists of 38 luxuriously appointed beachside rooms. 2000 feet of unspoiled white sand beach, large fresh water pool, lit tennis court and gourmet dining. boundless activities, miles of views, days of sunshine and nights of stargazing. Countless ways to relax and endless possibilities at Lambert Beach Resort.

Proximate Area:

• 5 minutes drive at bottom of hill to Marina, Police Station, Post Office, Supermarket, Gas Station, several of the island's best restaurants, and 2 full-service Dive Shops.
• 10 minutes drive from only airport on Tortola
• 10 minutes drive to three other exquisite beaches - Long Bay and Well Bay on Beef Island, and Josiah's Bay (famous for surfing)
• 15 minutes from the financial and shopping centre, Road Town - capital of Tortola
• 10 minutes from the famous Trellis Bay, which offers protected anchoring for boats, windsurfing (equipment hire and lessons), restaurants, cyber café, coffee shop, Aragorn's world-famous art studio, ferries to the Last Resort (with great food and live entertainment), Marina Cay, Virgin Gorda (and the exotic 'Baths)', and the newest development in the BVI, Scrub Island's marina and shopping plaza.
• Just 10 minutes from the BVI's only proposed golf course on Beef Island

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GENERAL INFORMATION: Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Tortola is main island in the beautiful BVI's; a unique group of over 50 islands and small cays closely grouped to feature the world's best protected and easily navigable sailing, as well as exquisite beaches, tropical year-round climate, and clear, warm waters ideal for diving, sailing, swimming, playing…

Tortola is 12 miles long, 3 miles wide and the capital at the centre of the island on the south shore is Road Town. There are approximately 22,000 residents, inhabiting 15 of the islands in this majestic and unique archipelago.

Located approximately 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, at the north-west end of the Leeward Islands and adjacent to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Principal islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.

Executive authority in British Virgin Islands is invested in The Queen of England, and is exercised on her behalf by the Governor of the BVI. The Governor is appointed by the Queen, and is currently, David Pearey (since 2006). Defence and Foreign Affairs remain the responsibility of the United Kingdom, making the socio-economic status of this group of islands uniquely stable and prosperous.

The Constitution of the Islands was introduced in 1971. The Head of Government is the Chief Minister, who is elected in a general election. The current Chief Minister is Dr. Orlando Smith (since June 17 2003), who is a member of ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). (Information taken from Wikipedia, the free online Encyclopaedia)

• The B.V.I. is a British Overseas Territory, with a British Governor and British legal system
• A strong offshore financial service industry accounts for 65% of the GNP of the BVI, with tourism accounting for the balance
• The area offers an excellent investment environment, as it is one of the most prosperous economies in the Caribbean, and continues to be 'on the move' with house and land values increasing all the time.
• The BVI offer the best sailing conditions in the world. With temperate weather and year-round trade winds, it is cooler in summer than many other tropical destinations, and moderate and balmy all winter long. Annual temperatures range between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
• With water temperatures of 79 - 86 degrees, the BVI offers a 'water paradise', perfect for sailing, diving, snorkelling, power boating, windsurfing, kite-boarding, and surfing almost year-round.
• With more and more big developments proposed over the next 24 months, there are large volumes of money moving into the BVI making it a stable and lucrative investment opportunity.

For sale by owner (see Contact Details)

See feature article on Ridge House in Caribpro Magazine - March 2007 (see Contact Details for web address).