A 300-Year-Old Estate in Barbados
Barbados' Historic Fustic Estate Hits Market for $22.5 Million
A nearly 300-year-old estate on the northwest coast of Barbados brings together a layered history, a notable design pedigree, and an owner with ties to one of France's best-known beauty brands. Called Fustic Estate, the property dates to 1712 but took on its current identity in the 1970s, when Oliver Messel-the Tony Award-winning British set designer turned Caribbean tastemaker-reimagined it. His influence still shapes the experience of the house today, from its arched openings and pale green detailing to the way rooms open seamlessly onto terraces and gardens.
The current owner, Kit Braden, chairman of L'Occitane Group's U.K. arm, bought the estate in 2011 after immediately connecting with the grounds. He's noted that the landscaping reminded him of Provence-an apt comparison, given the brand's deep ties to the region and its emphasis on natural ingredients and sense of place.
Set across 11 acres overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the estate includes more than 13,000 square feet of living space arranged across three wings. In total, there are seven en-suite bedrooms, along with a mix of indoor and outdoor living areas that make it easy to shift between quiet downtime and comfortably hosting a full house.
The grounds do much of the heavy lifting. A lagoon-style pool carved into a coral ravine-arguably Messel's most memorable move-anchors the property, while a reflective pond inspired by English garden design adds structure and contrast. Mature tropical plantings and a fully enclosed setting create a sense of privacy that feels intentional rather than remote.
There's also a separate beachfront parcel with guest accommodations and direct access to the water. Behind the scenes, a staff of 15 keeps everything running smoothly, reinforcing the estate's balance between a private home and a fully serviced retreat.
Fustic has always attracted an intriguing crowd-Messel's social orbit famously overlapped with British royalty, and even Princess Margaret once stopped by during its transformation. Braden, however, seems to have connected with it on a more sensory level. Now, he's ready to pass it along, with Knight Frank representing the $22.5 million property, arguably a small price for a place that feels like stepping into a perfectly composed, sun-soaked daydream.
