Dionne Rose, Business Reporter
The Trident property as seen in March 2006.
Trident Castle, a Portland property caught up in a legal battle that has gone as far as the United Kingdom Privy Council, remains listed on the real estate market for sale, even while billionaire Lee Chin is trying to buy it.
Architect and real estate developer, Earl Levy, is asking $8 million for the property, according to Coldwell Banker Jamaica, the real estate broker handling the sale.
The castle has been on the market for three months now, according to agent Mark Haddad.
Lee Chin is in negotia-tions with Levy to acquire the sprawling 29-year-old property located four miles east of Port Antonio.
His lieutenant in Portland, Mark McIntosh, appeared confident Friday that a deal would be struck.
But Levy refused to speak about the talks - not even to confirm them - or otherwise discuss the property, other than to give it a sales plug.
"It is a lovely property; it is situated in a most beautiful spot," he said.
"In other words, I am not begging anybody to buy it."
It is not clear what Levy meant by the latter comment, but initially, Sunday Business was advised that he had refused the offer made by Lee Chin for the castle.
However, McIntosh, director of strategic planning and develop-ment at AIC Limited - Lee Chin's mutual-fund company - suggested a deal would likely emerge after the legal issues were settled.
"We are in negotiations with Mr Levy," he said.
"The Castle and owner are in court for something unrelated to this purchase, so, when that gets sorted out then the place will have a clear title."
The legal battles involve Beverley and Earl Levy against Ken Sales & Marketing, to which court documents say Earl Levy is indebted.
Lee Chin, who has already acquired the adjoining Trident Hotel and Villas, wants to buy the castle as an extension of the redevelopment of the property, said McIntosh.
Lee Chin in 2003 bought the hotel, which was also once owned by Levy. The hotel, prior to that deal, had been twice on the auction block.
McIntosh said acquiring the castle was also part of Lee Chin's vision to develop Portland, the billionaire investor's parish of birth.
The castle, comprising seven bedrooms and adjoining bathrooms, is sited close to the hotel on 52,000 square feet of land.
The master bedroom on the upper floor is 32 feet by 28 feet with a 17-foot high ceiling and a seafront balcony that runs the full length of the room.
It has a main hall, which is fashioned on the concept of Britain's Clandon Park, which was designed by a Venetian architect in 1730. It also has an epic 47-foot ceiling.
Trident Castle has been a favoured venue for classical and jazz concerts, and parties.
Great dimensions
According to seller, the dining room contains the longest, formal, dining table in Jamaica, which comfortably seat 26 persons.
Above the table is a crystal Baccarat chandelier, while various Jamaican fruit, flowers and birds decorate the grand tray ceiling.
All the plaster is hand made by Georgio Ferrari, a famous Italian artist.
The property also boasts a registered chapel, a guardhouse, boathouse, and 60-foot swimming pool; all antiques and art are being sold with the property, which has, in the past, attracted celebrity guests such as the late John F. Kennedy Jr, actor Johnny Depp, and supermodel Kate Moss.
McIntosh said the Trident Hotel, which is undergoing renovation, should open later this year for the winter tourist season, but wouldn't say what the repairs cost.
The 42-room hotel and villas will reopen as a five-star hotel, providing 150 jobs, he said.
dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com
