Apparently Meghan and Harry have yet to buy a home in North America, but if they’re looking for a warm water getaway, the Sigrist House in the Bahamas could be the place.
The house was once owned by Harry’s great-great-uncle, the Duke of Wales and his wife, Wallis Simpson.
The uncle, whose titles included Prince of Wales and King Edward VIII, was not unlike Harry, making it clear that he valued happiness above duty and later opted to reign with the love of his life instead of his country.
As King Edward VIII, he reigned for just under a year before leaving England in 1936 with Simpson for exile in France, at which time his title was changed to Duke of Windsor. Soon after, the couple toured Germany, raising rampant rumours they were Nazi sympathizers.
It was at this point and for this reason he was sent to the Bahamas by the British government as the governor of the island. While waiting for renovations of Government House, the official residence to be completed, the couple purchased Sigrist House, which has been named one of the most exquisite properties in the Bahamas.
Located on a ridge just outside Nassau on four acres overlooking ocean and bay views, the Spanish-colonial home was built in the 1930s by British-movie-producer Frederick Sigrist who was also a pioneer in aviation.
The 15,000-sq.-ft. main residence has retained its British character with wood-panelled walls and fireplaces, four of which were imported from English country homes.
The mahogany walls were shipped to England for finishing, then sent back to Nassau for installation. In addition to the main residence with four bedrooms, there is a three-bedroom apartment and two four-bedroom guest houses making it convenient and private for guests wishing to have longer visits.
Though it retains its original character, the entire property has been updated, modernized and refurbished from the roofs to electrical and plumbing, along with restoration of the wood and ironwork. The lushly planted tropical grounds flow out from the terraces and loggia and contain flower gardens, fruit and coconut trees.
The swimming pool and spa have views of the ocean and manicured grounds. Restaurants, shops and a casino are only a short stroll from the estate.
Sigrist is now for sale, at a price of US$8.5 million. The listing agent is Mark Hussey, of Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty, Nassau.
For more celebrity and exotic homes for sale, go to www.TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
