Sandy Beaches, Turquoise Waters & Unparalleled Service Await at Gansevoort Turks + Caicos

With Summer on the horizon, we are dreaming of the white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters of Turks and Caicos. Synonymous with unparalleled luxury and service,  Gansevoort Turks + Caicos resort has some remarkable real estate offerings currently available. Listed by Ian Hurdle and Elliot Day, Gansevoort Penthouse 1502 exemplifies cool, chic, contemporary styling perfectly positioned along Grace Bay. Additionally, the last remaining Villa in the first phase of the Gansevoort’s Villa collection just hit the market. Listed by Nieve O’Neill and Brendan O’Neill, 5102 Gansevoort Villas boasts an oceanfront infinity-edge pool that guides residents to a sunken fire pit and lounge, out over the cliff edge and down to an above-water sun deck.

Developed by Bruce MacLaren and Rob Ayer, Gansevoort Villas combines the luxury amenities and services of the world-class hotel with the warmth and intimacy of a private, residential experience. The expansive four- and five-bedroom residences, set on an elevated hillside overlooking the iconic bay at Turtle Tail, are designed in the likeness of traditional courtyard houses. Each villa features expansive indoor-outdoor living spaces, clean lines, and two oceanfront infinity pools. Ocean-level decks provide access to the calm, turquoise waters below, while the villas’ namesake resort—set on the shores of the world-famous Grace Bay Beach—is just a short 2.5 mile drive away. We caught up with Bruce to get the inside scoop on Gansevoort Villas and find out what makes Turks and Caicos an island destination unlike any other.

You’re originally from Ottawa, Canada. What drew you to Turks and Caicos?

I first came to Turks and Caicos on holiday with my family in 2006 and fell in love with the islands. What attracted me was the lifestyle—the incredible climate, beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. My kids were quite young at the time, three and six, and we realized it was a great place to bring them up. Between 2006 and 2008 I began assisting Rob Ayer with development, and the rest, as they say, is history. From a real estate point of view, what really attracted me to the island is that everything is new, making it a clean canvas for development.

Can you tell us more about the custom-made island furnishings and locally sourced materials used in the luxury villas?

In an effort to support the local economy and build as sustainably as possible, we incorporated a great deal of locally sourced material and furnishings in the villas’ design. The wall that extends from the courtyard to the oceanfront pool is native Caicos stone. The interiors, including the kitchen cabinetry, bedroom furniture and bathroom vanities, were fabricated on the island by TC Millwork. The bedroom furniture is a beautiful mix of mahogany and other exotic woods, while the trims and doors are a combination of white oak and Ipe.

Environmental sustainability is of particular importance to the Turks and Caicos islands. What sort of environmentally sustainable features did you incorporate in the villas?

We looked to maximize the roof space for solar panels, which provide power and heating for the pools and pool pumps. We also have a large water cistern that catches rain runoff and is used for irrigation on the grounds of the villas. These small things make a world of difference, both for the environment and for our villa owners.

What makes Turks and Caicos so appealing to buyers and tourists?

Turks and Caicos still offers an incredible value compared to other Caribbean and mainland destinations, and a recent increase in the number of flights coming in directly from the eastern seaboard makes it easy for visitors to travel to the island. Relative affordability, coupled with the island’s incredible beaches, safety, and combination of British law and US currency makes Turks and Caicos extremely attractive to investors and visitors alike. In the past few years, Turks has seen a spike in chef-driven restaurants, four star hotels and high-end services and offerings that appeal to a discerning clientele.

What is the most common feedback you get when people visit the Gansevoort for the first time?   

Visitors love that the hotel and villas have a small, boutique feel. We’re a 91-key hotel, so we’re not a huge resort where you need a golf cart to get around. We get so many compliments about how friendly our staff is; guests build relationships and really feel taken care of here. Our repeat guests love being greeted by name. Speaking to the island as a whole, there’s a certain laidback spirit in Turks and Caicos; you can visit for the first time and instantly feel at ease. Lastly, the hotel is only a 15-minute drive from the airport, which adds to the overall ease of the trip—guests land and they’re immediately in paradise.

For more information about Gansevoort Villas, visit its website.