Fifteen luxury villas that seem to suspend the laws of the universe to float on water now can be had on the soon-to-be opulent 560 acre private island on the Turks and Caicos archipelago in the British West Indies. As part of Dellis Cay, these villas designed by Paris-based, Tokyo-born architect Shigeru Ban start at $8.5 million. The Asia Pacific Properties group in Hong Kong is handling the sale, while O Property Collection is shepherding the fantasy island through development.
This is the first project by the Collection, which was founded in 2005 by the renowned Dr. Cem Kinay, whom Haute Living profiled in our November/December FL edition. When completed, the island will feature the work of nine world-famous architects, as sort of a living museum of architecture in its own right. Among the first in line to claim residences on the island were Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones.
The villas on sale now feature two versions. The first is called Maison H and has recognizably classic features. High ceilings over a stately dining room look out through fully retractable glass walls over a pond and swimming pool, creating a levitating illusion.
The second, Maison S, is a futuristic and organic interpretation of the first villa. Its gentle curves mirror a circular reflecting pond and its retractable glass opens onto an angular swimming pool. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will manage and provide its finest concierge services to all 15 villas.
These villas will share the island with a Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Spa, as well as beach homes designed by Zaha Hadid, Piero Lissoni, Carl Ettensberger and David Chipperfield. All will share the vibrant coral reefs, immaculate beaches and breath-taking bay views of the naturally stunning island. Completion is slated for 2010.
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