LIVING IN PARADISE on a Trophy Property: Thatch Cay – The Last Underdeveloped Island Left in the US Virgin Islands

We have a fascinating story for you about “LIVING IN PARADISE” on a Trophy Property: Thatch Cay – the last underdeveloped island left in the US Virgin Islands. It is a 237-acre private island only 5 minutes from St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is 2 miles long, and half a mile wide, and has a 500 foot elevation. It represents one of the last remaining opportunities in the Caribbean to create truly world-class, master-planned destinations. It is one of the last fully entitled private islands in the Caribbean. The property offers unparalleled natural beauty, deep-water access, and panoramic views of the Atlantic and Caribbean seas: 

This is a Helicopter view that we just did last week: 

It is fully zoned and entitled for luxury resort and residential development. Thatch Cay presents a rare opportunity to create a landmark destination combining exclusivity, sustainability, and world-class amenities.

For the owner of this beautiful, unspoiled island, the possibilities are endless. Thatch Cay is zoned for residential development (R-1 zoning allows for detached single-family and two-family dwellings, with a minimum lot size of ½ acre and a maximum building height of two stories). 

Island access:

St. Thomas is served by a modern international airport with private jetport. Airlines serving St. Thomas include American, Continental, Delta, United, and U.S. Airways, with direct flights from Atlanta (3 ½ hrs), Boston (4 hrs), Chicago (6 hrs), New York (4 hrs), and Miami (2 ½ hrs). From the airport, it is less than a 30 minute scenic drive to the marina area, and then a five minute boat ride to Thatch Cay. The island could also be accessed by helicopter from St. Thomas or Puerto Rico

U.S. territory:

Thatch Cay provides the security and stability of being a U.S. territory. In addition, qualified businesses located in the Virgin Islands may apply for tax benefits through the EDC program, including a substantial reduction in or exemption from business and personal taxes. It has a full USD denomination, U.S. legal protections, and title security, which is exceptionally rare for a private Caribbean island. It is an entirely private island: NO shared beaches, NO public access, with complete seclusion! It accommodates Super-Yachts, with deep-water Yachts access, and is a premiere destination for the Nautical lifestyle! 

Thatch Cay has a long and rich history, tracing its roots back to the Danish occupation in the mid-1700’s. The island was named after its abundant groves of “Thatch” or Tyre Palms, which still exist today. In days gone by, native craftspeople used this material to make brooms and wove it into mats and baskets. Ownership of Thatch Cay was passed down through the Reyck family and their descendants for over 100 years. From 1804 through at least 1915, the island was part of a plantation known as “The Hope.” In the early to mid-1800’s, settlers made their living off the land, relying on the island’s abundant natural resources for farming and grazing. Daily life on Thatch Cay included fishing, lime burning, charcoal making, thatch and logwood cutting. The 1846 census reports that 16 people made their home on the island, including 14 descendants of the original settlers and 2 slaves. Plantation crops at that time consisted of cotton and potatoes. Teyer Cay – (Closer to St. Thomas. The name Teyer is a plant of which from the leaves the Negroes make bags or sacks, and used also to roof houses with, they are better than sugar leaves as they are less dangerous for fire as they do not flame). Teyer Cay is 1 ½ cotton plantations in size. It has a beautiful cotton ground and good forest. It is now sold at auction to Anthony Reyck, who for the most part lives here and plants food and burns lime. The cay is especially known for lobsters which are here in great numbers. Land use on Thatch Cay reached its peak in the early 1900’s when eight acres of land were used for pasturing or planted in provision crops. Families continued to live on the island into the early-to-mid- 1900’s, when it served as a small fishing village made up of six structures. Stone ruins of these structures remain on the property. The island also at one time held a small working copper mine, and a partial brick chimney still remains from an oven used to melt the copper ore. When you’re ready for more activity, the most visited port in the Caribbean is just a five minute boat ride away. St. Thomas offers something for everyone, with activities ranging from parasailing to kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving to golf and tennis. Stroll along the waterfront of the historic town of Charlotte Amalie, with its world-class duty free shops and variety of excellent restaurants featuring international and local cuisine. Enjoy stunning views of the Caribbean from 1,500 feet above sea level. Or spend an afternoon soaking up the sun at Magens Bay, recognized by National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveler as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Each day is a new adventure, and the many and varied isles of the British Virgin Islands are within easy reach by sailboat or powerboat. Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands and serves as a primary yacht center of the Caribbean. Virgin Gorda is known as the isle of natural wonders, featuring the Baths, where enormous granite boulders create a series of sheltered grottoes and sea pools. For a trip back in time, spend an afternoon on picturesque Jost van Dyke, relaxing in the sun at one of its colorful beachfront bars and restaurants. Jost van Dyke is home to the famous Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, where the harbor fills with boats for its annual New Year’s Eve party. Lying just to the east of Jost van Dyke is Sandy Cay, an uninhabited isle fringed with sand and the perfect picnic stop.