ACTIVE  # Framadani Estates

Perched on 120 acres of gently undulating terrain, this unique estate embodies European design. Located on the outskirts of a charming town in a peaceful and vibrant tropical country, the grandeur of this estate is better experienced than described. A harmonious blend of manicured landscapes and natural forest, it offers a romanticized setting for nature lovers, providing a retreat from today’s hectic reality while maintaining modern conveniences. The self-sustaining estate retains a malleability to the aspirations and creativity of new stewards.

The air-conditioned grand villa boasts rare cabbage bark wood cladding, hardwood floors, mahogany kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, cedar closets, and state-of-the-art appliances. The premier bedroom features a centerpiece king-size bed and his & hers walk-in closets. Its sunbathed, slate-tiled bathroom includes a soaking tub, a urinal, and a bidet, with a sliding door from the shower stall opening to a deck pool hanging over the hillside, gardened with fragrant plumeria and ylang ylang. The villa also includes a guest room with a private slate-tiled bathroom and a fully equipped “nurse’s apartment” just beyond the expansive open floor plan living room & kitchen that extends into a verandah along the entire western length of the villa.

Adjacent to the grand villa, connected by a raised walkway, is a circular structure off a multifunction building that houses a carport, laundry room, generator room, storeroom, and staff restroom. This circular spa building features a traditional Maya bay palm thatched roof and cushioned benches lining the circular screened walls, providing views of the forested grounds and duck pond.

Set a few hundred yards from the grand villa are four apartments within two duplexes and a wooden casita. These fully furnished, income-generating living spaces add value to the estate and sit above cisterns that store nearly 50,000 gallons of water from efficient rain catchment systems. Fruit trees dot the landscape around these structures, situated near the property manager’s residence and farm garage.

A peripheral road grants access to the estate’s forested acres and groves of Teak, Mahogany, Caribbean Cedar, Bay Palms, Coconuts, and three ponds that serve as bird baths and watering holes for wildlife. Various creatures, including Howler Monkeys and various bird and butterfly species, visit the estate. With 18 years of growth, the teak grove is near harvest-ready, while the mahogany and cedar stands will serve as a legacy. Historically, the estate was part of the suburb of the Maya residential palace, Cahal Pech, and the ceremonial citadel of Xunantunich, with remnants of house mounds and pottery shards found on the property. More surprises await discovery on this intriguing hillside estate, which can become a secret garden in paradise.