A truly unique opportunity to purchase a Caribbean Estate House steeped in history. Set in 5.5 acres of land at Craigston, Carriacou, Grenada, with spectacular views over Hillsborough Bay and the out islands to the South & West and Union Island to the North, Craigston House can even boast its own Chapel and original domed cistern which is still in use.
Craigston House could provide the perfect, private residence or the focal point for a commercial development.
Slideshow
History
In 1770 Craigston Estate, which was then some 317 acres, was purchased by John Urquhart from Craigston Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. An archive room dedicated to Craigston, Carriacou remains at the castle to this day. There is a fascinating account of Craigston & Meldrum Estates, Carriacou 1769 – 1841 written by H. Gordon Slade drawn from the papers in the archive (link to PDF of article) The Estate passed out of the hands of the Urquhart’s in the 1840’s and was finally bought by the Kent family in 1928.
Craigston House was originally built by John Urquhart in 1777. The upper structure was blown away by Hurricane Janet in 1955 and rebuilt by Edward Kent in 1975 who wrote:
...The house my father bought looked remarkably like the house (or front elevation) shown on one of the plans of the estate that’s in Craigston Castle. It was an elevated bungalow of wood covered with galvanized iron on a stone foundation some 6ft high with barred windows that served as a cellar below the house and was always cool.
...We rebuilt it in 1975 only changing it to the extent that we excavated the walls to give a depth of 8ft downstairs. All the stone walls and red brick columns were preserved and extended in like material. The upstairs walls were constructed of reinforced concrete blocks but thereafter we used greenheart, purple heart and mahogany lumber with Marley tiles on the roof and tried to preserve the atmosphere of an old plantation house. But we did turn the downstairs into 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, store-, sewing and maid’s room plus laundry and office.
Location
Craigston House is located at Craigston, some 1 mile to the north of the main town of Hillsborough and is accessed by a shrub and tree lined drive from the main Hillsborough to Bogles/Windward road. Set on a small hill it commands 270 degree views over Carriacou to Hillsborough Bay and the out islands to the South & West and Union Island to the North.
Accomodation
The accommodation is arranged on two levels and access to the main house is from the South West facing veranda which is reached from outside by external double stairs. The lower level has several external doors and there is also an internal staircase.
The main house is comprised of:
- Great Room – 19ft x 24ft currently used as dining/living area. Two sets of double doors give access to the veranda. A large picture window overlooks the rear porch with views to the North East
- Veranda – Covered, L shaped, South & West facing 12ft x 34 ft
- Kitchen – 16 ft x 10 ft with stable door leading to the rear covered veranda.
- Rear veranda - 12 ft x 25 ft with steps leading to the garden
- Hallway – with storage closet, giving access to stairs to ground floor, bedrooms and rear porch.
- Master Bedroom - 13 ft x 16 ft with ensuite bathroom 7ft 6ins x 7ft 6ins
- Master Bedroom covered veranda - 16 ft x 9 ft 6 ins
- Guest Bedroom - 11 ft 6 ins x 19 ft 6ins with ensuite bathroom 8ft x 5ft
The ground floor, which has internal and external access from the main house, is comprised of:
- Laundry – 16 ft x 12 ft with deep arched doorway to garden
- Office – 10ft x 18 ft
- Map room – 11 ft 6ins x 10 ft
- Bedroom 1 - 14 ft x 16 ft
- Bedroom 2 – 16 ft x 16 ft
- Bathroom – 7ft x 10ft
- Storeroom – 16 ft x 6 ft
Grounds
The house is surrounded by lawns with tropical flowering shrubs and trees. There is an orchard behind the house with Avocado, Mango, Paw Paw and a grape vine.
The remaining land is either lightly wooded or grass land pasture. (link to photo Craigston House, outbuildings and 5.5 acres)
Outbuildings
Chief amongst these is a Chapel which was built in the late 19th century but never consecrated. Located on the right of the entrance drive and below the main house, this has been converted to provide accommodation for staff.
To the rear of the house is a yard with the remains of several buildings. The walls have been added to in order to provide storage and garages.
Services
- Electricity is provided by Grenlec
- Telephone & Internet service provided by LIME (formerly Cable & Wireless)
- Cable TV provided by FLOW
- Water is stored in the original cistern