Set aloft the Jacks Hill community in St Andrew on five hectares is the Spyglass Development, the latest project of the Arthur Von Strolley-led AVS Builders Limited.

This new residential development, benefiting from the visionary insights of developer Von Strolley, the dexterous designs of Virtuoso Architects, and the engineering expertise of project manager Peter Jervais, was officially opened on Saturday, August 10.

Special guests rolled out a lexicon of descriptors at the event, using words such as ‘luxury’, ‘opulence’, ‘elegance’ and ‘premium’, as an indication of the strong impression the development left on them.

Hugo Matthews, managing director at Virtuoso Architects, said, “Our vision for Spyglass was to create a living space that not only exemplifies luxury but also respects and preserves the natural beauty of its surroundings.”

Design aesthetic

Inspired by residential properties found in southern California in the United States, Spyglass offers prospective customers the choice of four distinct aesthetics: San Marino, Santa Barbara, Hollywood, and Malibu.

Hollywood and Malibu are semi-detached three-storey townhouse offerings that distinguish themselves with the number of bedrooms in a unit. While both come with a pool and carport, Malibu is a four-bedroom unit and Hollywood has three bedrooms.

Each level has its own balcony that provides a panoramic view of the Kingston Metropolitan Area and overlooks a courtyard with a pool and two bars that can serve as a multifunctional entertainment space.

Santa Barbara and San Marino offer apartment-style living with the former being a cluster of penthouse suites and the latter being units ranging between the ground and third floors.

During a tour of units provided by Sotheby’s International Realty, Our Today was informed that it was standard that bedrooms in each unit have ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets, though the designs and sizes vary. The same was true of each unit having pantries and laundry rooms.

Beyond being a residential development, Spyglass offers holistic community living that features green spaces, walking trails, and recreational facilities that promote wellness and an active lifestyle.

The event

The development was officially launched on Saturday in partnership with Sotheby’s International Realtor, Digicel Jamaica, JN Banks, Mercedes-Benz Jamaica, and Caribbean Producers Jamaica.

Chairman of Factories Corporation of Jamaica Lyttleton Shirley, remarking on the premium luxury feel of the development, noted: “You know, the old saying, ‘This is to die for’ surely has no place here. This place is to live for. This is what you call the sky is the limit, at Spyglass’.”

He added: “Spyglass defies design tradition by paving a new path of unbridled elegance… Life to be at Spyglass will incorporate modernity and classic tradition, placing purposefully together in the most natural of environments.”

The property on which Spyglass is located was purchased by Minister of Science, Energy, Technology and Transportation Daryl Vaz and his brothers in 2003. The land was transferred to AVS Builders in 2019 and development began.

Vaz praised Von Strolley for his commitment to seeing the project to its current stage, notwithstanding over 200 different variations of design, pointing out that the developer placed his reputation of excellence at stake.

AVS Builders is responsible for the completion of the 20 South complex in St Andrew

Commenting on the addition of Spyglass to the constituency of St Andrew North Eastern, Member of Parliament (MP) Delroy Chuck said he frequently drove past the development. In congratulating the developer and his partners, Chuck described the property as “iconic”.

He shared further that he “came under constant pressure” from constituents to stop the project. However, Chuck related that his response was that he believes the development should continue as it augurs well for the progress of surrounding communities.

“I hope that similar ones will continue in St Andrew North Eastern,” he said.

Defending the environmental integrity of the development, the project manager Jearvis said the project not only came under scrutiny for its structural engineering but also its “emotional engineering”. Moreover, he said that naysayers ceased on every opportunity to blame the development for any “unusual peril”.

Keynote speaker Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce, remarked on the economic importance of the Spyglass development.

“Yes, Jamaicans are buying, but there are people from overseas who are buying these developments and that is a balance of payments plus,” he stated.

“While technically in economic terms it is not an export, because export has to leave your shores, it builds the balance of payments, which is the first time for 20 or 30 years …we had a positive balance of payments,” Hill added.

Prices of the units range from US$580,000 to US$1.85 million.