Designed with classic lines and modern sensibilities, the expansive Moongate house is elegant and timeless.

Big, bold and beautiful, Moongate sits high above the south shore in Tucker’s Town. This six-bedroom, 8,500-square-foot house was designed by architect David Benevides of Benevides & Associates as a second home for his international client.

“They wanted something classic and elegant in the Bermudian vernacular,” he said. “They wanted large rooms, high ceilings and classic detailing throughout the house.”

The home previously on the property was demolished in 2014 and construction began on Moongate in late 2015. The house was completed in July of 2017 and, along with the six bedrooms, consists of a grand entrance foyer, formal living room, six bathrooms and two powder rooms, large open-plan kitchen and family room, a man’s den complete with bar and humidor, and, in the basement, a media room for watching movies that seats ten. With three floors and an ageing father to consider, the owner also installed a discreet elevator for ease of movement through the house.

While the overall exterior is decidedly Bermudian in character with a Georgian influence, the interiors have a classic yet contemporary feel to them. “This is the signature of our firm,” said Benevides. “We design a new home which could have been considered a beautiful home 200 years ago and give it modern finishes and technology.”

Modern finishes include coffered ceilings designed with different configurations throughout the ground floor and an entrance foyer with marble tile floors set in a diamond pattern and a spectacular railing leading up the staircase. “I came up with the railing idea from a home I had seen travelling, but gave it a Bermuda flair with the shapes,” explained Benevides. The millwork throughout the house was designed and supplied by Palm Beach Trim and installed by local contractors JMS General Contractors.

The expansive rooms throughout the ground floor are flooded with natural light thanks to a combination of large window design and a bright interior palette. “The doors and windows are set at nine feet with a ten-foot-six ceiling height,” said the architect. “The interior is a white-on-white theme with blue accents, so there is a lot of light reflected throughout the home.”

For the exterior, Benevides designed a circular driveway complete with a moon gate walking entrance created by JMS using poured concrete with a Bermuda stone facing to withstand the harsh coastal elements. On the south shore side of the house, he designed an elegant pool, pool house to service it and a fire pit that takes advantage of the ocean view. “The client was looking for something classic with an elegant, timeless appeal,” said Benevides. “The spot where the fire pit is might be the best view in Bermuda—a perfect place to have a glass of wine on a cold night.”

Our judges hailed the project for its spectacular interior spaces and overall ambience, and one commented on how the “finishing was fantastic.”

“It was a great opportunity to work on a great project with great clients,” concluded Benevides, who says his clients are very happy indeed.

 

 

Contractors & Suppliers

General Contractor: JMS Contractors
Mechanical Contractor: Afterhours Plumbing
Electrical Contractor: MP Electrics
Engineer: Pereira Engineering
Landscape Contractor: Horsefield Landscaping
Roofing: Pro Built
HVAC: Air Pro
Audiovisual: Sound Decision
Plumbing: Afterhours Plumbing
Flooring Supplier: Olde Savannah Flooring
Millwork: Palm Beach Trim
Paint Supplier: Pembroke Paint
Windows/Doors: Hartman Windows & Doors
Security Systems: Smart Security Systems
Interior Design: Jack Fhillips Design
Kitchen: Palm Beach Trim