Maureen Ohara's Villa

It is located on St Croix. I read some Hollywood "rag" that said those days were the happiest of Maureen's life until her husband was killed. Years ago I had the opportunity to visit her home and it was magnificent. I hope it is being maintained in it's original glory. If anyone knows the status of the Villa please reply, possibly to rent short term or long term.

It is the private home of a friend of mine. It is being "kept up". It is quite a kick looking over C'sted Harbour having coffee in exactly the same place as John Wayne and other Hollywood "greats". Not available for rentals - would be my guess.

You can see the villa from the harbor of Christiansted on the top of the hill stands Grand with it's two round turrets. One of the most beautiful houses on the Island of St. Croix. The view must be magnificent.

The design of the house is exceptionally odd. The view is fabulous, though. Maureen O'Hara lived in the house with her husband, Charles Blair, for many years and St. Croix became one of Hollywood's hot spots due to the many house parties they threw for their actor friends.

The current owner purchased the property from the Blair family in June of 2001 and later refurbished one of the towers but left the other one pretty much as time and the elements have made it. He has put it on the market three different times in recent years. The first time, the listing was cancelled after 15 months without a sale. The second time, the listing expired after a year, again without a sale. It came back on the market on January 18th of this year and went under contract for purchase on January 25th. The sale is currently Pending and hopefully the right buyer finally came along and the sale will eventually close.

Alexandra--

We heard from the lady who owns the book store at Gallows Bay that Maureen's grandson now owns the home. Is this the new owner you're referring to? When we were there in 2005 Maureen was supposed to be staying on the island and was supposed to have a book signing at the store, but had to cancel for medical tests in LA at the last minute. We were so disappointed not to meet her! My mother met her several times back in the 70's and thought she was very nice and down to earth for a movie star. I toured her home in 1971 during the Landmarks home tour and it does have a fantastic view!

Hi,

This is an interesting thread. Question:

According to the Arlington National Cemetery Website, Maureen O'Hara's home was destroyed by Hugo. Was the home rebuilt? Or is this incorrect information?

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/cfblair.htm

Don't know about your info, but I see the house every time I come back from Csted.

For anyone interested in a bit of history on the home:

A two-minute Internet search answered my question. According to Maureen O'Haras Autobiography, the home was almost, but not completely destroyed by Hugo. Even though she says that it would have been a wiser business decision to write the home off as a loss, she couldn't bring herself to do it -- so she hired architects and contractors to restore the home as it was.

Didn't her husband own the seaplane business in STX & wasn't he killed in a crash? Seems I remember that.

Yes, he died flying a seaplane from STX to STT.

Thanks for that information, Mell. We drove up to the house last year and it looked just exactly the same! The outer walls must have been still mostly ok and the main work had to be done to the inside I'm guessing? (from my posts it must sound like I'm stalking Maureen O'Hara...)

Can you tell me which house is Maureen O'Hara's there are two houses side by side with two turrets. Looking up the hill from Christiansted, is it the one on the left or right? Its on the road to Questa Verde correct?
Thanks

Hi Paula,

You're welcome!

Actually, I am glad this thread was started (Thanks Lacy!). I enjoyed learning about another part of the Hollywood Golden Age that I was not aware of.

I might even try to get my hands of a copy of Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography. I read just a few small snippets of it yesterday online and it seems like a pretty good read!

:)Mell

Cody,
To answer your question, Maureen's Villa is the one to the left , on the top of Hermon Hill the other house is lower to the right.

Thanks!

The owner has some very cool photos from the Hollywood Great era. Very cool indeed. Maureen's husband was a genuine American hero. He is worth researching on his own merit.

Hi Guys!!
I Just wanted to introduce myself, I am the owner of the villa.
Last Tuesday we had a party and people were able to see the place. The Villa should be available for short term rental soon, also will have a new website. If anyone has a question please let me know.

I was there last Tuesday. It's a really neat villa on the hilltop with great views, a nice breeze, a perfect indoor/outdoor layout for entertaining, and a 12(!) foot deep pool. The 2 towers are connected by a patio/bridge. There are lots of photos of Maureen O'Hara and her famous friends. John Wayne and Lucille Ball stayed there, among others. Chris owns and runs a hotel elsewhere, so I'm sure he'll make it a great rental experience.

Maureen O'Hara's and Husband Captain Charles Blair's former villa got a new name and a website check it out www.skyhawkvilla.com. The villa is available for short term rental and it is a vintage landmark of the Island of St. Croix.

Here after all the years I am still the owner of the property of Maureen O'Hara's former villa on the island of St. Croix, My name is Chrys Kanaridis if you have any questions please reply to chrysosgreek@gmail.com. or at this site.

Skyhawk
Here after all the years I am still the owner of the property of Maureen O'Hara's former villa on the island of St. Croix, My name is Chrys Kanaridis if you have any questions please reply to chrysosgreek@gmail.com. or at this site.

https://www.facebook.com/StarMansionSTX

I've always wanted to see the house. She's always been my favorite actress.

New Name "STARS Mansion"