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Houses Without Heat: Warm Breezes Are All You Need
Richard Patterson for The New York Times
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As told to BETHANY LYTTLE
Published: January 21, 2005
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Doug Stewart, 62, a money manager, shown with his wife, Bonnie
Brody-Stewart, 57, an administrative assistant, and their daughter
Lauren Brody-Stewart, 24, an actress
WHAT 5-bedroom villa
WHERE Estate Nazareth, Cabrita Point, V.I.
Being here is always terrific, but this time it's exciting. Lauren is
getting married later this year, and we're going to have the wedding
here on the second level of the villa, by the pool. So, we're here to
set things up, interview caterers and make plans. We might put a
platform over the pool or a walkway across it. We're still coming up
with ideas.
This is a perfect place for Lauren to get married because so much of
her childhood was spent here. Our primary residence is in L.A., but
we've been coming to the U.S. Virgin Islands for years. She's the
eldest of our three children, and like all of them, she learned to wind
surf, sail and scuba dive (she was certified at age 12) during her
vacations here.
In summer, the average temperature here is about 89, and in winter it's
about 83. Our house faces southeast, so it gets a lovely breeze, and
there are ceiling fans in all of the bedrooms and bathrooms. Up on the
second floor, we have a room for hanging out and watching the boats
pass by. We look over Great Bay, which has the most spectacular
turquoise-blue water.
Some nights, we'll sleep outside. The stars are unbelievable and even
at 2 in the morning, it's 80 degrees. You'd think that being from L.A.,
we'd not have to adjust to the climate. But the quality of the heat
here is different; it's more humid. We basically live in beachwear —
bathing suits and shorts. If you come to visit, you'll see a lot of
things — glittering sand, stunning views — but you won't see any long
pants. WHERE Ramrod Key, Fla.
WHAT 5-bedroom house
HOW MUCH $987,000
Built in 1993, this 1,900-square-foot house is on a point and has
180-degree water views. Besides two open decks, there is a private
second-story screened balcony with French doors off the master suite.
There are an open living-dining area, two bathrooms and an elevated
walkway to an observation deck. The dining area opens onto a deck.
Ramrod Key, 135 miles south of Miami and 25 miles from Key West, is
home to a variety of herons and other birds. Agent: Roberta Castillo,
Florida Keys Realty, (305) 745-3717; www.robertatherealtor.com. WHERE Makena, Hawaii
WHAT 4-bedroom house
HOW MUCH $8.9 million
Designed by the architect Tan Hock Beng, this 5,288-square-foot house
is on 1.83 acres on Maui overlooking the mountains and the ocean. The
house has five bathrooms, a swimming pool and a deck with pillars and
torches. It has covered walkways connecting the living areas and the
sleeping quarters. Agent: Bob Cella, Coldwell Banker Island Properties,
(800) 344-6284; www.bobcella.com. WHERE Rincón, P. R.
WHAT 5-bedroom house
HOW MUCH $425,000
This two-story 2,400-square-foot house overlooks the Caribbean. It has
been remodeled and has two new kitchens, a large covered terrace, high
ceilings, three and a half bathrooms, gardens with trellises of
bougainvillea, a swimming pool and a wet bar. There is a separate suite
on the lower level. The house is five minutes from Puerto Rico's finest
surfing areas and about 20 minutes from Aguadilla airport. Rincón is
two hours west of San Juan. Agent: Greg Fink, Island West Properties,
(787) 823-2323; www.rinconrealestateforsale.com. WHERE Rockport, Tex.
WHAT 5-bedroom house
HOW MUCH $1.39 million
This 5,693-square-foot house is on a private street on Key Allegro
Island, 30 miles from Corpus Christi, and overlooks Aransas Bay. The
house has a private beach on the bay in the front and a pool, a
screened porch and the deepwater Pompano Lagoon in the back. There are
a fireplace, a two-island kitchen, a terrace, a sun room, an attached
two-car garage, an entertainment room and seven and a half bathrooms.
There is a boatlift on the lagoon. Agent: Joyce Pace, Rockport
Properties, (361) 729-7474; www.rockportproperties.com. WHERE Water Island, V.I.
WHAT 3-bedroom house
HOW MUCH $2.35 million
This poured-concrete house is on a point and has views of Crown Bay.
The house, with about 3,600 square feet of interior living space and
about 1,500 square feet of decks and outdoor living space, is on a
two-acre lot on a stretch of Caribbean coastline that can't be
developed further. There are three bathrooms and a new concrete dock
that can accommodate large yachts. Water Island is at the entrance to
the harbor at Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas. Broker: Warren Stryker,
Stryker Real Estate, (340) 776-2697; www.strykerrealestate.com. WHERE Harbour Island, Bahamas
WHAT 6-bedroom house
HOW MUCH $3.7 million
This three-story house overlooks Pink Sands Beach, the only beach on
Harbour Island. Five bedrooms open directly onto wide verandas. The
house, which is three years old and 5,000 square feet, has an open
layout, high ceilings, an entertainment center and six bathrooms. There
is room for a swimming pool. Harbour Island is a short ferry ride from
Eleuthera, which has direct flights from the United States. Agent:
Robert Arthur, Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty, (242) 333-2285; www.myharbourisland.com.
Information was provided by the listing companies.
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