Tour antique-filled rooms, shop for gifts in a courtyard shopping centre or sample ice cream at the house of Jamaica’s first black millionaire.
Browse 19th-century art and rooms decorated with antiques from the Caribbean and Europe in Devon House. This opulent mansion features a courtyard that is home to some of Jamaica’s most sought after boutiques and restaurants, including the well-known I-Scream ice cream shop.
Devon House once belonged to George Steibel, who dropped out of high school, survived a shipwreck and then went on to become the country’s first millionaire. Steibel made his fortune through the gold-mining trade and built his mansion in 1881. Today, the 4.5-hectare (11-acre) site is preserved to protect one of the most important cultural landmarks in Kingston.
As you approach, take a moment to appreciate Devon House’s colonial architecture from its picturesque lawns. Explore the mansion’s grand halls to find a collection of Steibel’s antique furniture and relics. The Grand Ballroom is one of the more breathtaking rooms, with a rare porcelain chandelier framed by small cherubs etched into the ceiling. Take in the Caribbean feel of Palm Hall, which is decorated with paintings of flowers and butterflies. Imagine a dinner with Steibel himself in the dining room, which is filled with a large Chippendale table.
Outside, the courtyard draws visitors for its shopping and dining. Browse locally made crafts and souvenirs. Enjoy dinner with a view of the gardens from the Devon House terrace. Food options range from three-course meals to snacks. Be sure to try a scoop of ice cream from the famed I-Scream shop. Choose from 30 island fruit flavours of naturally made ice cream.
Devon House sits at the corner of Hope Road and Trafalgar Road on “Millionaires Corner”. Take a taxi or walk here from central Kingston. Entry is free, though guided tours of the mansion charge a small fee. The house is closed on Sundays.
