THE STORY OF HILL RISE HOUSE NEVIS, WEST INDIES

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NOTE: Some of the photos are panoramic, so it is best to "maximise" your browser.

The property comprises 2.4 acres about 500 feet above sea level at the north west corner of the old Montpelier sugar plantation. The lie of the land slopes downwards in a north westerly direction and the western boundary plunges steeply down towards Lampa Hill.

No evidence of any former human settlement has been found apart from the remains of old dry stone walls built by the sugar planters to form terracing on the steepest slopes, and a considerable pile of uncut building stone which may have formed some kind of byre.

As is typical of worked out sugar plantation, the top soil is infertile. It is hard to work, being a very heavy clay which heaves and cracks depending upon its moisture content.

The Montpelier Hotel was our home from home during much of the 1980's. We were always happy there and had no intention of having a place of our own. However, one afternoon in January 1988 we took a walk through the pasture beyond what is now the botanical gardens and came upon this breathtaking view. What a place to build! Without any hesitation, we decided to acquire a couple of acres if it should be available.

Completion of the purchase formalities was in the Autumn 1988, and we set about designing our new home and finding a contractor to do the work for us. We toured the island, noting architectural styles and features and calling at every construction site we saw. We came across Martin Cromwell and his team working on a small house. Construction started in July 1989 and Martin has been responsible for all the construction work since.

Landscaping the gardens progressed all through the construction.

We moved into the house in August 1990 after a couple of nights at The Montpelier waiting for the power to be hooked up. Martin introduced us to Donna Morton to keep house for us. She had lost her previous job as a result of Hurricane Hugo.

Christmas 1990 saw the arrival of Lillie and her sister, ........................

1992 saw the completion of the swimming pool which took almost a year to build because of the steep terrain and very heavy rain. When construction ended, the rain almost stopped, so it took a further 6 months to fill the pool (no Government water supply in those days).

The Tennis Court was built 1993/4

In 1996, we added the large verandah on the Main House, covering the precipitous front steps, and adding new safer outside stairs down each side.

In the second half of 1997 we constructed the Guest Cottage.

The rest of the story is in the pictures ................... Enjoy your stay!