For sale: $20 million Tobago island

[Grande]

For Sale: $20 million Tobago island
Trinidad Express


HOME ALONE: Goat Island off the East coast of Tobago.

MULTI-MILLION-dollar Goat Island is up for sale.

The island, situated two miles off the coast of Speyside, Tobago, was once owned by famous author and the creator of the James Bond character, Ian Fleming, and is now owned by local businessman I T McLeod.

Goat Island has been listed on the international real estate market for more than eight months for an asking price of close to $20 million (US$3 million).

Several real estate websites indicated that the island first came onto the real estate market late last year with a whopping $50 million (US$8 million) price tag.

The ten-acre private island comes with a two-storey, West Indian-style villa located next to a beach.

It includes three bedroom suites, a large kitchen and a reception area.

There are also two one-bedroom guest apartments on a small hill and it is being sold with a boathouse parcel comprising 5,598 square feet, in the nearby town on the Tobago mainland.

The property is generator-powered and has a 35,000 gallon water storage tank under the Main House.

Goat Island is surrounded by a world class coral reef.

It has been said that when Fleming bought Goat Island he became interested in the neighbouring island, which was called Bird of Paradise Island, now called Little Tobago.

It is believed that the birds here inspired Fleming, and he then acquired a copy of Birds of the West Indies by the author Terence James Bond.

Many believe that these incidents motivated Fleming's creation of the James Bond character and other characters in the series.

The island's new owner McLeod, grew up in Tobago, furthered his education in the United Kingdom and returned to Trinidad and Tobago to embark on a very successful entrepreneurial career in real estate and investments.

He is popularly known as the promoter of the McLeod annual all-inclusive charity fete held during the Carnival season at Salybia.

A public notice in the press yesterday said that the island and the buildings on the island would be up for public auction today.

The auction was reportedly postponed last night.

Officials at RBTT Bank (which is offering the property for sale), would not comment when contacted.

[asylumseeker]

I am curious as to when this piece of real estate vested as private property.

[Dutty]

I am curious as to when this piece of real estate vested as private property.

seeker,yuh know de place?...yuh saying is public land? I doh think anybody that bold

Maybe it on a long lease....either way it is spectacular

[Grande]

Given de price of real estate in Trinidad...and especially Tobago, $20 million for yuh own 10-acre private ISLAND, big house, apartments and boathouse included is a STEAL.

But de fact that it can be private property is bothersome. Looks like it already have a potential buyer:

Goat Island auction cancelled
Driselle Ramjohn dramjohn@trinidadexpress.com
 
 
sale on: The sign advertising the auction yesterday at RBTT Bank offices in Port of Spain.

THE public auction for the sale of Goat Island was cancelled yesterday.

The auction was scheduled to take place at RBTT Bank offices in Port of Spain, under auctioneer Peter Soon who was selling the property on behalf of the bank.

The ten-acre private island, which is located two miles off the coast of Speyside, Tobago is currently owned by local business magnate IT McLeod.

The island has been up for sale on the international real estate market for more than eight months at a price of $20 million.

The Express received several calls yesterday from persons interested in purchasing the island, which was formerly owned by author and James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

InternationaI websites have said that international tycoons Richard Branson and Donald Trump have examined the particulars of the island.

Sources close to the issue told the Express yesterday that the auction was called off late Monday night and negotiations were being conducted between the owner and a possible buyer.

The source added that the outcome of these negotiations should be completed within the next two weeks.

The property however still remains listed on international real estate websites.
 

[grskywalker]

They should put the island on ebay 

[asylumseeker]

I am curious as to when this piece of real estate vested as private property.

seeker,yuh know de place?...yuh saying is public land? I doh think anybody that bold

Maybe it on a long lease....either way it is spectacular

No doubt eh, spectacular indeed. Just curious about the chain of ownership - especially during the colonial period. I eh challenging Mr. McLeod. I jes not comfortable with its private character.

The whole thing is kinda intriguing.

[socachatter]

orville london say tobago buying the island

[asylumseeker]

THA eyes Goat Island

Elizabeth W Allard Tobago Bureau
Friday, August 10th 2007
 
 The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) wants to buy Goat Island.

Chief Secretary Orville London said yesterday that the THA opened talks on Monday and negotiations will be intensified over the next few days with the hope of concluding a sale agreement.

He also revealed that current owner IT McLeod, a Tobagonian, feels that the island should remain in the hands of the people of Tobago.

Goat Island-a ten-acre private island two miles off the coast of Speyside and Little Tobago-has been up for sale on the international real estate market for more than eight months at a price of $20 million.

A public auction scheduled at RBTT Bank offices in Port of Spain on Tuesday was cancelled at short notice.

London made the announcement during Thursday's Executive Council media briefing. He said while the island has been on the market for some time, on behalf of the Assembly he made an intervention on Monday based on considerations that included the heritage and ecological perspectives and some security reasons.

Bingo!

The Tobago House of Assembly has acquired several estates around the island including Cove Industrial Estate, Courland, Adventure Estate in Plymouth, Castara and Pigeon Point Heritage Park a hotbed for controversy for several years.




 

[Bakes]

I hope they could pull it off...I detest this buying up private island thing by some of these exclusive Millionaire's club bastards.  TnT needs to AT LEAST do like other jurisdictions and only offer leases, as opposed to outright sale of 'crown' land.