Construction work has begun on the dilapidated, historic Boissiere House around the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, amid suggestions the property is to be turned into a restaurant or guest house. The T&T Guardian understands the house, also known as the “Gingerbread House,” has not been sold but has instead been leased out.
The first signs of action began nearly a fortnight ago when workmen were spotted toting bags of garbage they had cleared from inside the house and garden. A wooden fence has since been put up with signs that say “Heavy Vehicles Turning.” When the T&T Guardian visited the site yesterday, it found a busy worksite with around eight workmen, two backhoes and a large cement mixer truck all in action. Large piles of breeze blocks were being used to build a perimeter wall.
Two mounds of red sand, and barrels of water were evidently being used to mix cement. The original stone wall bordering the house to the front was damaged some years ago when a car ran into it, taking out a section about five metres wide. It appears the whole wall may now be replaced with a modern wall encircling the property.
While the house is on the National Trust’s list of heritage sites to be listed and protected from development or alteration, none of the houses on the list have been granted protected heritage status as yet and there is no indication of when that will happen—meaning the owners are free to alter the property as they see fit. The mystery of who owns the property, meanwhile, continues to be a puzzle.
A security guard overseeing the construction told the T&T Guardian any questions about the building should be addressed to a Mr Maharaj. When asked who Mr Maharaj was, he replied, “You'll have to find that out for yourselves.” Canon Steve West, rector at the All Saints Anglican Church next door, told us that eight months ago an Indian family he believed to be from South asked him to bless the house, telling him they were the owners.
Later, he said he spoke to an associate of the family who told him they were planning to “open a business there.” When the T&T Guardian spoke to estate agent Ann Marie Aboud, who is handling the property, she said it remained unsold. Asked who was carrying out the work, she replied, “We are trying to do some repairs.” Asked whether the house was being leased she said: “It could be, it’s on the market for sale or rental. I'll find out some more information for you,” before her phone cut out.
The house is still owned by Greta Elliott, an elderly member of the Elliott family whose son is married to Aboud. The asking price for the grand old house was reduced last year from $40 million to $20 million. The cost of restoring it could total anything between $10 million and $20 million. Inside the Boissiere house lights are now on but, as yet, nobody’s home.