KÚYA Magazine – July 2019

31 KÚYA

give it a tropical, urban living vibe. A large eclectic vinyl collection

compliments the mixing decks in the living area. Gil Scott Heron

jostling for space with Burning Spear and legendary funk musician

George Clinton. Discretion is key, but it’s obvious this is a hang-out

for scenesters, artists, and occasional royalty. Many famous recording

artists have stayed here, whilst using the state-of-the-art recording

studio at Geejam hotel. Beaver explains why it is so popular:

“Most of the artists and songwriters who come are able to tap into

the unquantifiable yet undeniable energy that exists both at Geejam

and Cocosan. It definitely helps to alleviate ‘writers block’, just one

reason why many of them return. But they also appreciate the local

surroundings, including Drapers, our local village, where they can just

hang out there by one of the sound systems and chat to locals - an

experience that’s important and engaging.”

It only requires a short conversation with the Geejam collective

impresario and record company entrepreneur to understand why

his collaboration with architect Vidal Dowding was described as ‘the

dream team’ by Beaver, such is the sense of majesty of the place. There

is a garden suite on the ground floor with a specially fitted bathroom

and a self-contained patio and five additional bedrooms accessed

by the grand, open staircase including the master suite with its own

cinema screen, a rain shower large enough to be confused for a

monsoon and a colossal standalone bath tub. Although, why anyone

would do anything other than gaze endlessly at the mesmerising

view is boggling. Four further bedrooms peel off either side of the

corridor offering quantities of zen and creative energy.

Portland is a playground for the jet set, masquerading as an

undiscovered gem. Jamaica can’t be pigeonholed to a microcosm.

It doesn’t take long when entering Cocosan to recognise Dowding’s
acclaimed design credentials and attention to detail. The sleek open
interior is augmented with the local wood flooring harvested from
the surrounding forest, bringing nature into the home. The cavernous
entrance hall spills into the living area bathed in the mid-morning
light of the Caribbean sun. A perfect panorama of vegetation, azure
skies and rippling ocean follows you, as a great work of art by a master
would, as one moves out to the patio dining area and elegantly
shaped swimming pool. The design touches, from saxophone
and trumpet sculpted chandeliers, to the red piano in the hallway,

The villa is furnished with a mixture of

artistic and contemporary style furniture