Private Compounds

The private compound is the ultimate, multipurpose luxury home.

Within its walls, there is security and seclusion for those who crave privacy, yet its separate spaces and grand amenities are ideal for hospitality, whether for visitors and long-term guests, or configured for unit rentals—or even a boutique hotel. 

A compound is perhaps best suited, however, for the multigenerational, extended family, with plenty of features and fun for the nannies, cousins, and grandchildren. It becomes a legacy then, offering vacation space or permanent homes, while accruing value for generations to come. 

Consider America’s most famous family compound: In 1928, clan patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy bought a clapboard waterfront cottage for his wife, Rose, and their growing family to spend their summers. What became a three-home compound on six acres would serve as the headquarters of then Sen. John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign and later as his summer White House. 

But one needn’t have presidential aspirations to enjoy a private family compound, or to invest in “compound interest”: the increasing value, year in, year out, of legacy properties in vacation spots at home and overseas.

Herewith, Luxury Defined spotlights five family compounds in resort destinations near or far afield. 

First up La Ceiba, Ocean Club Estates in Nassau, Bahamas

Asian and Caribbean design converge at La Ceiba, a private, multigenerational family compound in Nassau’s exclusive Ocean Club Estates. 

The property extends to 20,800 square feet, with 10 bedrooms and nine full bathrooms. The Asian-inspired grounds are graced with waterfalls and two swimming pools (an infinity-edge pool and lap pool). 

The manor house has five bedrooms, two kitchens, a gym, wine cellar, and four-car garage, as well as 2,400 square feet of covered seaside verandas, recreation spaces, and outdoor lounging places. 

There are two guest cottages, each with one bedroom, and separate staff quarters with an additional two bedrooms. Adding to the resort ambience is an entertainment hub with a cinema, games room, and croquet/bocce ball court, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and a hot tub in the dunes.