Touchstone is an architectural master piece on Vieques Island designed for the Huffard family by well known architect and family member Deever Rockwell.  Rockwell was a student and protege of master Modern Architect Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe.  The two modernists met and worked together in Chicago Illinois where Rockwell was from and Van Der Rohe later settled.  Sited on 5.234 cuerdas this work of art is offered for sale for the first time in its history and will surely be loved as much as the family that has called this home for the past thirty four years on Vieques Island Puerto Rico.

In the early 1970's three wayfaring and adventuresome couples discovered Vieques Island and immediately fell in love.  Originally they bought 30 acres and the lone survivor Mrs. Huffard age 96 was hiking the 30 acres and stumbling upon a cow trail and following it to the top of the hill exclaimed, "we bought the wrong 30 acres," and quickly added thirty more for a total of 60 acres.  The couples created their own paradise with 5-6 acre home sites even though at the time there was no electric, water or even a road to get you there.

With Rockwell's designs and local contractor Paco work began on Touchstone in 1975 and was completed in January of 1978.  This was possibly the first concrete house built with steel beams on Vieques and is not only beautiful but built to withstand it all.  The home has not only seen births and deaths but seasons with hurricanes and all that nature has to offer up.  The family called this house home for 3-4 months a year until the year 2000 when it became a full time residence.

In 2000, one of the second generation families decided to make a huge change and call Touchstone home year round.  They immediately embarked on very important and consistent changes that would make this a comfortable year round home.  The first project was to relocate the entrance roadway to the home artfully twisting past huge unexplained granite like boulders.  This new driveway opened up views the property had never realized to the West with Playa Grande, the Salt Ponds and Mount Pirata.  The second project was to design a pool that would skillfully fit with the modern creation of Rockwell's design and it is a Triumph.  Along with the pool a very practical second cistern for additional water storage was added.  The third project was more folly as the family are extreme animal lovers and the barn became a necessity.  The barn has power and water and could easily be transformed into additional living space or caretakers space.  One of the family members is a chef and herein lies the fourth project, a gourmet kitchen with commercial appliances, beautiful wood top island and a place for any chef to create.

The wall's of Touchstone are mostly glass sliding doors and are a custom designed product by Valcor/Samcor and Condado Windows.  The three bedrooms have curtain hurricane shutters that are easily closed and locked prior to  a storm or when closing for season.  There are two cisterns of water storage with a total storage of 40,000 gallons of water.  The house collects its own water and can be supplemented with the city water supply during times of heavy use.  There are two types of filtration systems for the water.

The owner/seller's comment about the house is that this house is first and foremost about blending the indoors with the outdoors for the ultimate living with nature experience.  Also, this home has been the location for many island parties and we have had many pleasurable evenings at this ultimate Entertaining Home.

The views from Touchstone are extraordinary with water in every direction.  One outside living room is designed to gaze at the Caribbean, the cayos of Esperanza, the boats bobbing in the harbor and west to Playa Grande and the Salt pond.  The other outside entertainment area focus North to the Atlantic Ocean, the Island of Puerto Rico with twinkling lights at night and the rain forest of El Yunque.  Continue gazing all around to the rolling hills of Vieques Island and her highest point of Mount Pirata.

The gardens before 2000 were admirable but not tended and nurtured as a true gardener living on the property seeing daily what is needed has done since.  There are fruit bearing trees, naturalized orchids, heliconias and gingers for cutting, and even Coconut palms for drinking and grating the meat.  The plant list is extensive but a sample would include; Ixora, Hibiscus, Madagascar Palm, Ponytail Palm, Succulents, Bromeliads, Chinese Fan Palms, Aloe, Bridals Wreath, Autograph Tree, Bougainvillea, and Jacaranda with the desirable blue flowers.

Touchstone was just that for the owners as they escaped the bustle of stateside life and let all of their worries float away at this true paradise. Their own personal Touchstone.

For more information on this extraordinary property feel free to click on the Details and Features sections above.

For your exclusive viewing of this once in a lifetime opportunity please call Bravos Boyz Real Estate and Property Management today.