If you’re considering relocating to the USA this year, then finding the perfect home is likely at the very top of your to-do list. And, if you’re looking for an exclusive luxury property that truly stands out from the competition and enjoys the most privileged of locations – as well as a variety of high-end facilities and outstanding interior design, then we might just have the perfect hidden gem for you.
Nestled on Gibson Island, a private island in the Chesapeake Bay, just an hour from the US capital of Washington DC and Baltimore, and on the western shore of Maryland, so there is no Bay Bridge crossing, is a breath-taking hideaway that most homeowners would consider the ultimate dream home.
Villa dei Fiori, 744 Skywater Road, sits amidst Gibson lsland’s 1,000 acres of spectacular nature and along its seven miles of picturesque shoreline, enjoying stunning views out to sea, and is a haven of tranquility away from the stresses and strains of the city.
Gibson Island, lovingly referred to as ‘the Island’ by its residents, to date remains relatively undeveloped, with just a third of it occupied by residential home sites and the remaining two thirds owned by the homeowners’ association, the Gibson Island Corporation. So currently, properties on the island are in high demand, and 744 Skywater Road is the cream of the crop.
Offered at $13,775,000, this opulent Mediterranean villa was initially built by a well-known prominent Maryland family back in 1929, when it was originally conceived by Robert Garrett as a summer home. In 2006, a project began to extensively and meticulously remodel the home, taking three years to complete, with Winchester Construction taking charge and bringing this latest and most awe-inspiring vision for it to life.
Whilst its original soul has been expertly preserved, it has also been brought bang up to date with a host of lavish new amenities and modern design choices, with no expense spared in the pursuit of creating the ultimate luxury abode.
This exquisite three-acre waterfront property overlooks the Magothy River, an estuary of the Chesapeake Bay, and thus enjoys breath-taking views that are hard not to be blown away by. Comprising lavish details ranging from precious natural travertines and marbles, sustainable woods, salvaged terracotta and vintage chandeliers throughout, exquisite Venetian plastering further enhances the overall sense of opulence, with every tiny detail considered to ensure an unequivocal air of elegance in every room.
Gracing the main house are five en suite bedrooms, a sixth full bath, three powder-rooms, a statuary hall and a magnificent great room with an enormous fireplace and beautiful wet bar that opens through French doors onto a large porticoed terrace overlooking the water and swimming pool.
Then, there’s an impressive library, a relaxing family room, a gourmet kitchen with state-of-the-art facilities and a sophisticated breakfast room. Additional luxuries include a sauna, wine cellar, multiple statement fireplaces, and even a lift to take residents seamlessly between floors.
Another highlight of this stunning property is its old-world coach house, which is home to a private cinema where residents can relax and watch their favourite films in complete privacy, and with plenty of seating, it’s perfect for entertaining guests, too. With a studio apartment upstairs, the coach house offers the utmost in convenience and if family or friends are staying over then they can have their own space in which to relax, unwind and make themselves at home.
When it comes to idyllic locations, it really doesn’t get much better, and as well as those impressive views, Villa dei Fiori is also ensconced in some beautifully landscaped gardens of its own. Featuring a host of native plants and over 350 trees, including fig and apple trees you can pluck fresh fruit from when the season is right, there are also grape and berry rows and hundreds of shrubs and trees besides. As if that wasn’t enough, the garden is truly a sight to behold during the spring and summer, when it comes alive as over 25,000 perennial flowers come into bloom.
Beautifully sculptured by landscape gardeners, the estate and its gardens are the very definition of perfection, with every element meticulously maintained.
The Gibson Island Corporation Service Department offers yard maintenance and landscaping, as well as a variety of other services for homeowners, so if you’re considering buying then the good news is that all of the legwork required to keep your property and land looking as pristine will be taken care of for you.
Gibson Island – and thus, Villa dei Fiori – is easy to access as it’s on the Maryland mainland, which means there’s no need to cross the Bay Bridge to get to it in spite of its exclusive and private location.
Security, however, is of course paramount, with a 24-hour staffed entry gatehouse to pass through in order to gain access. The island is also patrolled by the Gibson Island Police Force (GIPD) to provide residents with the greatest possible peace of mind.
The island is also home to a 43-acre spring fed freshwater lake where watersports enthusiasts will delight in the chance to participate in non-motorised watercraft activities such as paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. And if you happen to own your own yacht, then the island also happens to have its own marina, yacht squad, and full-service yacht yard especially for residents to use.
There’s also a private country club (membership by invitation) offering yachting, tennis, an award-winning Charles Blair Macdonald designed 9-hole golf course, swimming, croquet, skeet shooting, and more – so there’s plenty to keep active types entertained. The club is also home to a sought-after fine dining restaurant that operates year round, so you won’t have to leave the island to enjoy some decadent cuisine.
From the island, it is just a 20-minute drive to BWI Airport and the neighboring Amtrak train station, making it easily accessible for guests as well as jet-setting homeowners.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Kanne, Realtor, Gibson Island Corporation Real Estate
Mobile: 301-351-1319
Office: 410-255-1341
Email: sarahkanne@gibsonisland.com
Website: gibsonisland.com
All imagery credit: Gibson Island Corporation Real Estate
