Charles “Chip” James, who owns a Bermuda-style house at 208 West Indies Drive, says he first came across his North End property at the best possible time four years ago: A “spec” house was in the secondary stages of development with architectural plans drawn, a contractor hired and approvals in place from Town Hall. But it was still early enough in the construction process to make modifications to suit his taste and give the house a West Indies flavor.
“I bought with the ability to manage the project and make the changes I wanted,” says James. “At the end of the day [in February 2008], I had exactly the house I wanted.”
Today, though, he is looking for something smaller, and his five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bath house — with 5,850 square feet of living space, inside and out — is offered for sale through Fite Shavell & Associates for $6.75 million, furnished. The price without the furnishings is$6.395 million.
“For me, [building] this house has been an avocation,” James says. “I’m working on turning my avocation into a vocation.”
As a result, he is looking to renovate and sell properties on the island that might otherwise be slated for replacement. He comes well prepared to make the change.
“My grandfather was a master builder and a craftsman of every trade, and I worked with him as a high-school and college student, picking up trades while I was growing up.”
On a lot a bit west of North County Road, James’ home stands on a quiet road south of the Palm Beach Country Club. The house has a number of features James particularly likes, including its “modular” floor plan that includes a distinct progression of spaces designated for public and private uses.
“I have a self-contained master suite, and there’s also a self-contained guest wing with a common area connecting them,” he explains.
The master suite contains a library, which stands just east of the foyer. The entrance to the bedroom, in fact, is through the library’s two sets of doors, an arrangement that ensures privacy.
The house was spearheaded by a pair of developers experienced in Palm Beach renovation and building projects — Paul Birmingham and registered architect Clive Stuart-Findlay, who are both real estate agents with Fite Shavell. Two West Palm Beach firms also were involved in the project — Smith and Moore Architects and the contractor, Daniels Brothers Inc.
Architect Harold Smith of Smith & Moore recalls that the town’s architectural review process was key to the final look of the home. The development team had first proposed a two-story house, he recalls, but those plans eventually morphed into a one-story home with several guest suites consolidated in the rear wing.
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