geranium and thick flowering walnut trees. Its incomparable view, with every
shade of blue and green shimmering serenely on all sides, surely the best on the
island, is combined with great Jamaican food and a custom-designed bar. The
venue hosts regular music nights and major landmarks in people’s lives, making it
the south coast hang out for local residents and tourists alike. Gore and Henzell’s
collaboration has resulted in the creation of an instant classic.
Its entrance in a list of the best bars on the island is guaranteed although Henzell
is not resting on his laurels. This summer the neighbouring lighthouse will be
open for tours on what will surely be one of the most spectacular 360 degree
panoramas in the Caribbean. Perfect for an iconic picture. Half day return hikes
1700 feet to the ocean below are also available with a view to enhance greater
understanding of the agricultural hinterland and promote visitor and resident
interaction.
Gore has also been working in collaboration with local businessman, James
Godfrey, on a number of other projects in the area. Whilst drawing and designing
two new villas for Godfrey, he bought a plain-looking beachfront property and
again hired Gore to convert a basic Treasure Beach style concrete home into a
mesmerising three tiered, 5- bedroom sumptuous Balearic style villa. A perfect
marriage with the dry savannah landscape and rocky cove topography of St
Elizabeth. Together, the two of them worked closely on every aspect of the
creative process.
The ground floor entrance at Kotch, opens to an expansive balcony with a
breathtaking view of the sea. Large open spaces with steel float concrete
flooring and delicate touches accentuate the bold, beautiful wooden furnishings,
all made on spec from Gore’s designs in Godfrey’s purpose-built wood shop
and made with trees sourced from his land. She is working on designing and
manufacturing her own tiles using a local Black River production facility, allowing
their uncompromising vision for a sleek, design heavy, yet understated aesthetic
to bear fruit. Every aspect has been thought of, the bespoke light shades were
turned from theory to reality through famous St Elizabeth ingenuity, and a
helping hand from Godfrey’s metal workshop. The bedrooms are simple in their
elegant execution. Prodigious beds sit throne like in the centre of hand crafted,
cement bed frames in enormous spaces facing the infinite ocean beyond. The
middle floor has a vast verandah on which relaxing with a book and a drink in the
breeze is the luxury Gore references with her designs. Kotch is available for rent
as a whole or as individual floors. A ground floor pool set amongst landscaped
gardens, leading directly to the beach below, complete what must be one of the
islands most elegant new properties.
The secret is out. A restless perfectionist, a humble designer, architect, collaborator
and manufacturer. Gore is most proud of the legacy that she continues in Jamaica,
the home she loves. Sweet words indeed. ∆