Property Description
This is an adorable, fully restored home in the rainforest, just minutes away from fabulous beaches. Truly a one of a kind property. You'll be enchanted by the murals in this home (painted by NY Artist Linda Finch) & thrilled with the breezes that continuously flow through. Like to garden? The fully fenced 2 acre plot is full of fruiting & flowering plants. Delightful! See docs for more.History:
The current owners discovered this house literally "in the bush" after deciding to live in the La Grange rainforest. They reclaimed the land and structure, bringing in a stateside crew to rebuild in the same footprint but bringing it up to Florida code. Research showed that the home was owned by "Miss Lillian," a local Crucian lady, popular with both the community and Navy boys. Her house was, and still is, the embodiment of West Indian charm. On the rise of the hill, this little Great House presents with big attitude.
Artwork:
Professional New York artist Linda Finch has painted a mural on the entry wall of this home, and one in the living room. The entry mural is a lovely pastoral brown-toned monochromatic scene of the Historic Lawaetz Plantation, including the Great House, Windmill, outbuildings, Aqueduct and Saman Meeting Tree.
The living room features a 10' X 20' mural interpretation of Henri Rousseau's famous jungle inspired painting "The Dream." Wrapping around two walls, the brightly colored painting features many plants grown on the property, including bananas, palms, mangos, yuccas and orange trees.
One of the windows features a sculpture of heavy gauge metal, cut into an organic shape of coral, painted high glaze in contrasting colors.
Hand painted stencils decorate the bathroom, depicting special local botanicals such as Whitey Mary, Kallaloo, Arrowroot, Bay Rum, Jumbie Pepper, all of which grow on the property.
The master bedroom walls are decorated with Ginkgo Tree leaves in green and silver, which were formed by block work complimented by free hand painting. This creates such a soothing atmosphere in this room!
Farm Status:
This property has had a farm license for the past five years with both private and wholesale sales of bananas, papayas, and soursop.
As a farm, it is eligible for inexpensive field cutting, plowing and land preparation by the VI Agriculture Program. Reduced taxes are also a benefit from being classified as a farm. The farm is eligible for free federal fencing, tool programs, and release of excise tax on imported equipment. The soil in La Grange is rich with organic matter, with none of the caliche that plagues other farms. A sweet water well was rehabbed and relined in 2008 and supplies both the crops and home with abundant water.
Fruit Trees and Botanicals on the property:
Golden coconut, Heritage bananas, Plantains, Golden Apple, several varieties of Mangos, Papayas, Tangerine, Black Calabash, Hog Plums, Neem, Red Grapefruit, Carambola, Sweet Orange, Lime, Tamarind, Noni, Stinking Toe, Sour Sop, Guavaberry, Breadfruit, Moringa, White Sugarcane, Fiji Palms, Foxtail Palm, Cycad, African Tulips, Ylang Ylang Tree, Tahitian Gardenia, Flamboyant, Succulents and Cactus.
Property description:
The land is 1.9055 acres, and has road access from the North, West and South roads bordering the property. It is zoned R2, and ideal for sub-dividing or expansion. A rehabbed well (2008) supplies both the crops and home with water on demand. The septic system has been rebuilt.
Furnishings:
The front gallery has specially ordered shade screens, and there are screens throughout the property. Wooden storm shutters are easy to close for security (partial close to let air in, but keep intruders out) or storms (fully shut). Most of the furniture will convey with the sale, although the artwork, lamps and Bamboo bed do NOT convey.
Layout:
You walk up a few steps and enter into a entry way that houses a large table. The first thing you'll notice, after stopping to admire the mural there, is the delightful breeze blowing through the room, and the polished terrazzo floors throughout the house. To the right is a guest bedroom or sitting room, with access to the large, covered back patio of the home. Ahead of you is the Great Room, which houses the living area, kitchen, and dining nook. Off the Great Room is a full bath, and a hallway leading to the master, another full bath, and a guest bedroom. Perfect size for a couple or small family.
Neighborhood:
This is a quiet and rural part of the island, but extremely close to Frederiksted town and the best beaches on the island! If you lived here, you'd have a wide variety of restaurants and bars to choose from, and daily activities could include snorkeling, paddle-boarding, diving, jet skiing, or RVing in the rainforest! Grocery stores are about a 10 minute drive, and the hospital and central business district of Sunny Isles are about 20 minutes away. Need to pick up friends at the airport? Plan on a 20 minute drive, max. And the roads to this home are all paved; a true luxury in St Croix! This is a quite, country-like neighborhood with an eclectic mix of professional people who have a strong sense of community pride. That's the thing the current owners say they'll miss the most....
