Kal Dobbin is no stranger to the region, having lived and worked in the Eastern Caribbean for the last two decades. Elmsbridge is a development company she co-founded with husband Brian 15 years ago. The company is currently developing two private residential communities – The Gardens in Harbour Island, Jolly Harbour, and The Beach Houses in Falmouth Harbour – comprising two, three and four-bedroom villas.
Elmsbridge offers a full turnkey service, from choosing a plot and home design to finishes and furnishings and even rental management.
Nadia Dyson caught up with Kal to find out more.
Why can a client expect from Elmsbridge?
They would first meet with Brian and I, we would tell them a little about our background here, show them around our projects and give the opportunity to review the plots available and the villa designs. We also have pre-selected furnishings that we have chosen especially for their durability in the tropical climate and because they can be easily maintained.
We really help guide clients so they can create peaceful retreats. Quite often they know what they would like at the end but not exactly how to get there to end up with a beautiful furnished home. Because we have been here and been through all of that and are delivering it for clients on a daily basis, we are really a one-stop shop offering a complete service.
Tell us a little about your clients.
Typically, they come from North America or Europe, and increasingly, other parts of the world too. They are often busy so finding all the different elements to put together a home can be a challenge, especially if you have not done it before. It can be fun finding your own team but it can also be stressful and time-consuming.
We are a central point where you can have all of those things done for you. We oversee everything and are your one point of contact, keeping you updated all the way through. Our clients find it ends up being a really enjoyable process.
Where do you source materials from and how long does the building process generally take?
We work with over 100 different suppliers and many of our materials and partners are sourced locally. For example, our doors and windows for The Gardens are made in Antigua by carpenters who have been in the business for more than 20 years. We use sustainably sourced hardwood from Dominica, working alongside the Forestry Commission there.
After finalising designs, it usually takes about 12 to 14 months to build a 2,500-3,500 square foot home.
