Boutique 87

The Estate's History

Steeped in colonial heritage, the land that now houses Boutique 87 was once part of an 18th-century artisan residence, a remnant of Sri Lanka’s colonial past. Originally built during the Dutch or early British period, the structure bore the hallmarks of European craftsmanship blended with indigenous design. Centuries later, an Italian sculptor and tenured professor, drawn to its historic charm, salvaged and relocated the residence within this serene garden sanctuary. Geoffrey Bawa, inspired by its layered history, transformed the estate into a masterpiece of tropical modernism, where colonial echoes, artistic heritage, and architectural brilliance converge.

Our Interiors

Boutique 87’s interiors embody Geoffrey Bawa’s philosophy of curated minimalism, where space, light, and materiality shape an atmosphere of effortless sophistication. The villa’s iconic staircases—hallmarks of Bawa’s spatial ingenuity—ascend with sculptural grace, while open corridors and vaulted ceilings invite the play of natural light. Original finishes in polished cement and timber are seamlessly complemented by reimagined elements—richly textured fabrics, handcrafted ceramics, and selective pops of color that add warmth without disrupting the villa’s serene aesthetic.

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Art and Exhibition

Boutique 87 is not merely a villa—it is a living gallery, where art and architecture exist in a seamless dialogue. The estate itself is a masterpiece, but within its walls, an eclectic curation of works transforms each space into an experience of visual storytelling. European oil paintings, sourced from London’s storied Portobello Road, depict brooding British gentlemen and enigmatic French vampires in sweeping romantic landscapes. Local artistry adds a dynamic contrast, with bold collages and avant-garde compositions breathing life into quiet corners. At the heart of the common area, a commanding portrait of Nandi—an emblem of strength and divinity—anchors the room in grandeur, while in one of the villa’s private suites, the legacy of Nina Dyer lingers in the form of her own exquisite kimono, preserved like a whisper from a bygone era. Boutique 87 is not just a retreat; it is an ode to the unconventional, where art transcends walls and time itself becomes part of the collection.

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Our Gardens

A testament to Geoffrey Bawa’s mastery of landscape design, the gardens of Boutique 87 are a sanctuary of curated wilderness. Towering trees, nurtured using his signature sandbag technique, echo the grandeur of Lunuganga’s iconic specimens, their canopies casting dappled light over winding stone pathways. At its heart, the landscape unfolds into a breathtaking tableau—the tranquil lake and sprawling marshland, where water lilies drift and reflections dance in the shifting light. Amidst this living ecosystem, peacocks strut, kingfishers dart across the water, and the elusive purple-faced langur, a rare and endearing resident, swings through the treetops, completing the villa’s serene embrace of nature.

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