Tijuca Tower is a landmark on Bald Head Island, one of two towers that mark the beach access near Harbour Village. The towers, designed by two of the most prominent architects on the island, have been featured in books on southern coastal architecture and in such magazines as Metropolitan Home and Fine Homebuilding.
Tijuca is conveniently located, a short walk to the restaurants, ferry terminal, marina and other conveniences of Harbour Village. It has spectacular views out to the ocean and down the South Carolina coast. By day, you can watch ships make their way up the Cape Fear River, toward the port of Wilmington, the same shipping lane Union warships enclosed by blockade during the Civil War. At night you can see a long line of twinkling lights on the distant coast. You can also see the beacons of two lighthouses. One from the closest, on Oak Island, washes light across the rooms of Tijuca Tower at regular intervals after dark. The sound of lapping surf is distinct in both bedrooms.
The top floor of the tower provides 360-degree views across the island toward the extensive marshes of Bald Head. With windows on every side, there are many varied and beautiful and changing water views, of the ocean, river, harbor and marshes.
A spacious deck off the middle living room floor provides views across the dunes and up and down the beach, a great spot for morning coffee or cocktails watching the sun set over the water. There are two rocking chairs and a small dining table.
A separate screened porch and terrace are available off the private first floor bedroom. The room has a king sized bed that can be made into singles and easy access to a second bath.
The tower bedroom, with its walls of windows, is about the highest habitable spot in the village. The master bedroom has a queen sized bed and private bath with jetted tub.
Swimming is right at hand, a short stroll away down a wooden walk to the beach. The house also has its own private outdoor shower, with water views and hot and cold water.
Even wider ocean beaches with high surf, some of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast, are a short golf cart ride away. Bald Head's comfortable golf and beach clubs can be joined for a reasonable weekly fee.
Tijuca Tower is certainly the best perch from which to view and experience the beauty of Bald Head Island. One recent guest described a stay in the tower this way in a guest book entry: "Words cannot describe how absolutely perfect our long weekend was here on Bald Head Island. What a fantastic cottage for such a beautiful, peaceful, amazing place. We enjoyed every moment and cannot wait to return."
Cooks will appreciate the well equipped kitchen with professional utensils. There is a golf cart with garage storage and charging station.
The house is available for rent all year, and visitors from colder northern states often remark on the mild and temperate conditions that prevail early in the spring and very late into fall, when rates are discounted.
Keywords: A three-story oceanfront tower
