Photos by Ann Spurling

 

On North Shore Road in Bailey’s Bay is a family home with a lot of history. Most of us, at some time or other, have driven by and pointed at the newly built house at the side of the road and said something to the effect of: “that place looks so nice now that it’s fixed up” or (and those of us who admit to saying this have no shame in revealing our age) “remember when that little place was the Pig N’ Whistle?”. That little place is home to the Hocking family. Jacob and Anna Laura and their two children Trystan and Sadie, invited us into their Hamilton Parish abode to show us how love and care can give new life to even the oldest of homes.

 

 

The Hocking’s home was built in 2008 after it was designed by Jacob himself, owner of CTX.  The property was originally zoned as commercial and residential, a decision which gives the home an interesting history. During the days when the Bermuda Railway was in operation, the property was the location of a popular business - one that was never short on customers as the Bailey’s Bay Railway stop was close by. In more recent history, the Hocking home was a well-known grocery store called SK’s and a pub called the Pig N’ Whistle. After that, the home lay derelict for many years until Jacob and Anna Laura decided to rebuild on the property and make it a family home for themselves.

 

 

It’s abundantly clear from the second you walk into the Hocking home that the couple enjoy more of a modern, contemporary design and lots of open space. The four-story home is the perfect combination of bold design and functional family living space. Even among the masculine staircase and grand furniture, toy drums and pink butterflies work their way into the mix. "This house is well lived in for sure!" says Anna Laura. "We have young kids, so it's great to have an open plan house. The kids can be upstairs playing in the living room area and I can be cooking in the kitchen and still interact with them and keep an eye on them!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their close proximity to Bailey’s Bay dock is favourite aspect of the home for the Hocking family. “There’s always something going on down there,” says Anna Laura. “Bay dock is happening year round with the local fisherman gutting their catch, the neighborhood kids riding their bikes down there to fish with their hand lines, the tarpons, rays, robins and “Dock Kitty” – it’s a real local neighborhood spot that reminds me of the Bermuda I knew growing up in St. George’s!”

 

 

 

 

One amenity that did not come with the home is a garden, which is just fine for them, says Anna Laura. “It encourages us to leave our home in order to be able to enjoy Bermuda’s glorious parks and open spaces. The railway trail is a few steps away from our house, therefore we regularly visit Coney Island and also Tom Moore’s Jungle.”

 

 

 

 

Although the family loves the open plan of their home, it’s the extra touches that gives their home character and sets it apart from any other home in Bermuda. Perhaps the perks of having an architect in the family, the Hocking’s have a roof deck, a small space set into the highest peak of the roof, where they entertain and look out over the Atlantic Ocean. The skylight in the master bedroom is also a family favourite as it’s a spot they lay and watch the stars or clouds go by.

 

 

Thank you, Jacob, Anna Laura, Trystan and Sadie for welcoming us into your beautiful family home!

 

Photo by Amanda Temple