Goa
Goa was under the Portuguese rule for nearly 500 years until 1961. Since then it is a part of India. The Portuguese have left a strong cultural influence on Goa including its people. Goan Heritage is Portuguese influenced, including the houses, architecture, the Villas, and the town planning. Unlike rest of India, liquor is freely available and the locals including the tourists move around in beach casuals even on the roads and shops, and though many Portuguese houses and buildings have fallen into a state of disrepair, there is now an upsurge in the restoration of these classic houses.
The Portuguese Villa
The Portuguese Villa in the picture above is an old Portuguese Residence restored to modern comforts. The Villa has a distinctive portuguese style and is perfectly designed for the Goan climate. Cool in the heat of the sun, and fresh and airy in the humidity of the monsoon. The house is one of the last remaining symbols of the heritage of Goa, with character, style and privacy.
Set on a plot of 1700 sq mts. with a built up area of approx 360 sq. mts. It has a clean ownership title. A gated property with a perennial clean water well, it has two separate gates on the Road, and a beautiful circular stair path with a frangipani tree in front of the Villa.
The Portuguese Villa has been fully restored and its inside renovated with three modern bedrooms with attached bathrooms (running hot and cold water with european WC’s). In addition, a powder room with toilet, hot and cold water shower and designer washbasin has been built. The Villa is complete with a dining area, a living area cum lounge, a large balcao (goan for verandah) and a mezzanine which could double as an activity room, all under an old fashioned heritage tiled roof with interlocking tiles on a wooden frame (no concrete). A large kitchen with hot and cold running water, an independent servants room with attached bath and toilet, two patio terraces opening out from the dining area with an access door from the kitchen. A large garden in the rear with two lawns, a barbeque cookout area, provision for a swimming pool/Jacuzzi with toilets and showers already built, a 60 mt deep well with perennial clean unpolluted water, garage for two cars, storeroom, landscaped step garden in the front with mulberry, almond, cashew and dwarf coconut palms. The rear garden has jackfruit, cashew, coconut, teakwood and tamarind trees.
The Portuguese Villa is approximately 130 years old but has recently been restored to western standards, though keeping the original character of the house. The entire house is fully wired with 3-phase electrical supply to European standards. Provisions have been made for airconditioners. A Satellite TV dish antenna has been installed.
Telephones and Communication at Site
All mobile cellular networks in Goa, work in the property without dropout of signal. Landline Telephones with Broadband Internet facility is readily available on Demand from BSNL / Tata Telecom / Reliance Telecom.
The Road Access
A sturdy private access Road capable of carrying all types of vehicles has been built on a ramp with green hedges on either side. There exists a comunidade Road on the west of the property. The owners of the property have exclusive usage right granted by the Comunidade of Sangolda.
Sound Investment
Goa is experiencing fast rising property prices. Old restored Portuguese houses and villas are at a premium. The house is restored to European Standards. Very few houses are restored to this standard. This house is not on a community development land. With the rapidly expanding european tourists coming to Goa, this Portuguese house could generate substantial rental income. The property is thus a Sound Investment.
Location
The Portuguese Villa is located in Bella Vista Wado, in the village Sangolda , Post Office Saligao, in District Bardez, North Goa. It is nestled in the peaceful and tranquil valley of Sangolda, in the much sought after old heritage area of Sangolda. Just 10-15 minutes away to the west are the tourist towns of Candolim, Calangute and Baga with their clean unpolluted beaches, water-sports, bars, restaurants, nightlife, naturopathy and ayurvedic spas and shops, and about 20-25 minutes to the north are the deserted beaches of Morjim, Mandrem, Ashwem etc. The Market city of Mapusa is just 10 minutes to the North, and the capital city of Goa, Panaji is 10 minutes to the south. The Dabolim-Goa airport is about 45 minutes drive from the house.