"The Palmyra offers value for money and stability."
PROUD TO OWN LUXURY REAL ESTATE AT HOME
Courtney Hamilton has led a remarkable life and continues to leave an indelible mark on the Jamaican Diaspora, particularly in the New York area. Specializing in the area of real estate, Hamilton is among the very few lawyers to practice law between Jamaica and New York and he is regularly called upon to render local and international advice about anything to do with Jamaicans. With a legal background as colorful and diverse as the island's populace, Hamilton remains a humble man with the perspectives of a true world citizen. Firmly rooted in Jamaica, the attorney possesses an undeniable passion for his people and his country.
Hamilton and his wonderful partner Judy Farmer, both true entertainers, talked to us on the gorgeous terrace of their Spring Farm villa. An avid traveler who has frequently sojourned throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Hamilton delighted us with countless engaging stories from his journeys around the world. Whatever vacation you have dreamed of doing, he has already done, clearly evidenced by his large collection of foreign, personal treasures such as the prominent entrance door made from leather and camel bones from Marrakesh. Over the last year alone the couple has already travelled to Egypt's Cairo and the Indian cities of New Delhi and Mumbai. Plans are afoot to visit Morocco's Marrakesh, their favorite city, and the African country of Senegal later this year. He remembers; "The night-time horse race in Marrakesh is my most unforgettable experience." According to Hamilton, he and Judy also love the city's many souks where they haggle away, heaven on earth for lovers of leather and crafts. Bob Marley's fan-base even reaches Marrakesh, a fact that Hamilton uses to the fullest when trading in the local souks where he makes frequent use of Bob Marley T-shirts in lieu of money.
Born in Adelphi, Montego Bay, Hamilton completed his secondary education at Kingston College, before continuing on to Howard University in Washington at the age of 17 to study law. After successfully completing the New York bar exam, Hamilton was offered a job at Skadden Arps - the largest law firm in the US. Remembers Hamilton; "In those days there weren't many black law firms so when I was ready to move on 5 years later, I decided to forge my own path." Like a true Jamaican, Hamilton started his own law firm together with two other black lawyers, one of whom was also from Jamaica. In 1976, the law office of "Hamilton, Addison and Moore" was born. Hamilton remembers the early days as exciting times; "The support of the Jamaican community was unparalleled. They really took pride in having access to a Jamaican attorney." In the 70s, the practice negotiated the purchase of a building on New York City's 57th Avenue for the Jamaican Progressive League, an off-shoot of the People's National Party (PNP), at the time the largest purchase by a Jamaican firm outside of Jamaica. During the Attica Prison riots, Hamilton was one of the attorneys called in to assist with the "cooling down" process and the subsequent change in legislation for the inmates.
Over the years, "Hamilton, Addison and Moore" has grown in both reputation and stature. With his uncle being the first black real estate broker in Brooklyn, Hamilton has been actively involved in real estate both through client representation and through his own real estate acquisitions. Explains Hamilton; "The rapidly growing community of Jamaicans in New York coupled with the strong Jamaican desire for property ownership, led to a boost in activity. Explains Hamilton; "Everyone was either actively searching for or had already bought some form of real estate." But for Jamaicans, the connection to their homeland has always been powerful. "Deep down, all Jamaicans want to own something back home." Gradually, more and more clients needed legal advice regarding the purchase or ownership of properties in Jamaica, and the law practice was booming. Many were already handling property they had inherited or owned with other family members "back home."
Like many of his clients, Hamilton also wanted to own something in his country of birth. It was, in fact, real estate that eventually brought the former ex-pat back home to live. His first local real estate acquisition was in 1984, when he bought a property in front of the Montego Bay airport. In 1988, Hamilton purchased the 62 room Buccaneer Beach Hotel on lower Kent Avenue off the Montego Bay Hip Strip, a property which today is home to his island law practice. 3 years later, he purchased the Malvern Hotel, a 9 acre property across from MBJ airport that presented great value at the time. After attending Norman Manley Law School in Kingston and passing the Jamaican bar exam in 1991, Hamilton returned to his native shores to open the Jamaican arm of his law practice. An avid purchaser of real estate to this day, Hamilton bought a beachfront property in Black River on the island's South Coast only 2 years ago, a property which he has turned into the "Idlers' Rest" boutique hotel. Smiles Hamilton; "It's a small hotel, so it's a challenge, but it's manageable."
While Hamilton personally has 35 years experience at law, his brother Reginald and his sister-in-law Deborah have practiced law for 25 years combined. Today, Hamilton's daughter Tiffany represents the family's new generation of lawyers. While her father works his magic in the real estate business, Tiffany first continued the family's legacy of law as a prosecutor in New York. But when Hamilton re-grew his roots in native soil, it became increasingly important for him to rebuild his family's connection to Jamaica. Thus, Hamilton asked his daughter to join his local law practice. Explains Hamilton, "After much coercion, she decided to take the same road that her father travelled nearly 2 decades earlier." Tiffany, who successfully passed the Jamaican bar exam after attending the Norman Manly Law School, now practices law together with her dad part-time. Says her father proudly, "She also lectures in law at the University of Technology in Kingston."
A preferred choice among his countrymen for legal services, Hamilton's practice represents a higher percentage of Jamaican clients residing in New York than any other firm. It was through some of his high-end clients from New York that he was introduced to The Palmyra Resort & Spa in Rose Hall, one of Hamilton's proudest investments. States Hamilton, "My clients chose The Palmyra for several reasons, the main one being value for money. The Palmyra is the pearl of the Caribbean and represents a pride of purchase to the Jamaican buyer that is unparalleled. It is simply superb that such a real estate opportunity is within reach, not just as an investment but as a retirement option."
Continues Hamilton, "There is such pride connected with owning a unit in a facility such as The Palmyra. It offers the most value for money in the western hemisphere; Barbados, Antigua and Anguilla are all 5 to 6 times the prices of a similar unit at The Palmyra." Affirms the lawyer determinedly, "It's the type of investment that every Jamaican who can afford to purchase, ought to. It is safe, sound and cannot be matched by any other investment vehicle that one can find within the Caribbean."
After some quiet reflection, Hamilton says that he is totally satisfied, comfortable and happy with The Palmyra and praises Bob Trotta and his staff for their hard and dedicated work in bringing a dream to reality. "In the early years, purchasing a condominium at a place like The Palmyra would have been a pipe dream to me as a young, upcoming lawyer. "Hamilton recalls running and playing through the underground tunnels leading to the Rose Hall Great House as a child. "It represents a huge pride of purchase that tugs at the strings of my heart."
According to Hamilton, the decision to purchase was easy. "The Palmyra offers value for money and stability. The track record of developer Bob Trotta was also very important to me." Hamilton looks forward to the soon approaching day when he and Judy can share a bottle of wine on the terrace of his residence at The Palmyra Resort & Spa.
