Carlea House is a beautifully renovated four-bedroom residence situated on Chelsea Place in the prestigious Lyford Cay community. The 5,214 sq ft home sits on 0.55 acres.

Built by E.P Taylor and designed by John Volk, it was home to the original manager of the Lyford Cay Club. Although the home underwent a complete modern, custom renovation in 2019, the original front wall façade and the classic Lyford Cay rooflines preserve the charm.

At the front of the house, one is greeted by six Hong Kong orchid trees, spaced along the street easement. Many of the palm trees were original to the property and preserved during construction, then replanted to maximize the new layout. The mature and extensive landscaping includes the original rubber trees flanking the east and west boundary and over 100 palm trees providing an oasis of privacy in the rear of the property and a sense of belonging from the street.

As you enter Carlea House, you are greeted by a grand mahogany door and are invited into the foyer, illuminated by the glass pearl chandelier. One steps into the living room, flooded with natural light and looking out onto the pool. Complete with a handcrafted stone mantel fireplace flanked by floor-to-ceiling built-in custom shelving, it is the perfect space to entertain. When fully open, the large, solid walnut doors create a seamless indoor-outdoor feel. To your right, the living room flows into the kitchen and dining space, also with a beautiful view of the pool area and the same seamless indoor-outdoor feel offered by the stacking doors. The dining table leads out onto an outdoor seating area, perfect for a cocktail before dinner.

The kitchen features modern Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Miele appliances, along with a hidden pantry that blends seamlessly with the clean aesthetic. The space is adorned with hanging designer lights from a vaulted, beamed ceiling, creating a high-end beach-house feel. Off the kitchen, one finds an entryway from the garage with a built-in cubby for organizing outdoor clothing. One can then move into the family room, which could double as a fifth bedroom, featuring an oversized sofa facing a 75-inch television that pulses with surround sound for a cinema-like atmosphere.

The other four bedrooms feature king-size beds and walk-in closets for comfort and convenience. With the remote-controlled blinds, darkness and peaceful sleep are only one click away. Ensuite bathrooms provide privacy for each bedroom and include large showers and vanities. The spacious luxury of the master bedroom and bathroom allows for a couple to relax, and sliding pocket doors open onto the pool area.

Carlea House has been designed with the outdoors in mind. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors in the great room, kitchen, family room, and master bedroom let the outside become one with the inside. Once unlocked, the doors easily slide into a pocket in the wall, creating an entirely open space that brings the beauty of the highly landscaped pool area into the comfort of the home. The 51-foot-long pool invites exercise, lounging, or hosting a host of guests. The shallow water lounging area allows guests to bathe in the Bahamian sun while staying cool. When not in the pool, the various seating areas invite sunbathing, chatting with friends, or having a lovely meal at the outdoor table that sits 10 comfortably, while taking in the abundance of plants and torches that light up the space in the evening.

Also by the pool, you will find a cottage with a half bathroom and a built-in bar. The cottage works perfectly as a hangout spot or study, or it can double as another bedroom. Just by the cottage is an outdoor shower for guests' enjoyment.

The home is completed to current Bahamian building and hurricane codes, along with modern custom design features. All exterior windows and doors are hurricane impact-rated, including the bespoke pocketing multi-glide stacking glass doors. The roof structure is built from treated timbers imported from Canada and is designed to exceed hurricane codes, allowing unobstructed spans to provide the living space below with a vaulted ceiling throughout, protected by treated cedar shingles and a lightning protection system. A full specification sheet is available to all buyers so they can see every element and detail of this perfectly crafted home.

As a historic home that has retained its charm amid modernization, Carlea House is the perfect home for a young family to grow into or for an older, retired couple to move about with ease. The peacefulness it exudes is the perfect match for The Bahamas' laid-back lifestyle.

Lyford Cay is home to the renowned Lyford Cay Club, which features beautiful beaches, a golf course, marina, tennis courts, pool, fitness center, beauty salon, restaurants, and hotel facilities.