Kalistan

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Emperor and Empress return to Wilson Hill
New Imperial Residence overlooks Wilson Bridge and Ananto Strait
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
November 17, 5619


His Imperial Majesty opens new Cliff House on Kaliburg National Seashore in Wilson Hill Neighborhood

Following the Chemical attacks in 5612, the home of the Emperor, purchased in 5535 by Prince Regent Bjorn Nordholm for the Imperial Family, and which had been the official Imperial Residence since then, was officially abandoned.  One consequence of the attack was that significant portions of the town were contaminated by poisonous gas, and Wilson Hill itself, initially safe from the attack, became contaminated when an incoming storm brought a shift in winds that blew the gas and pollution from Imperial Park straight over Wilson House, and forced an evacuation of the whole neighborhood.

Since then, the intention was to always reclaim Wilson House, but a number of issues prevented doing so.  The House itself, while solid, was very old, and the contamination worked its way into the interior of the house.  Structural engineers said that the house could be remodeled, but at current labor prices, it would be far less expensive to level the house and rebuild on the site.  The problems were compounded when the water supply for the house became contaminated as the strange chemical worked its way into the metal pipes and progressively corroded them to the city source.  The Emperor and Empress Consort, who were then relocated to Ananto Estate in Eveari, decided to have the home demolished in 5614.

They did however always intend to return to Wilson Hill, which is a neighborhood that is entirely owned by House Ananto.  In In early 5618, the decision was made to rehab a number of homes on the west side of the Peninsula, in the Devon Dunes National Seashore.  The Seashore is considered a recreational area, where citizens of Kaliburg enjoy tanning and surfing.  Further down the coast is also a marine habitat which the City Government protects from human incursion or use.  When Wilson Hill was purchased by House Ananto, most of the homes were abandoned, but were maintained, to a large degree by the National Service Program, to retain the historical feel of the neighborhood and to serve as service buildings for tourists and visitors.  

View of Wilson Bridge and Imperial Park from Cliff House

When the decision was made, the Emperor hired general contractors under Guillermo Rosa-Caballo, one of Kalistan's most sought after architects, to remodel six houses on the Dunes side of Wilson Peninsula, and selected Cliff House, a house on the Point that overlooks Wilson Bridge and Imperial Park neighborhood as the new Imperial Residence.  The other five homes which are just east and south, up the hill from Cliff House will serve as staff quarters for those who work at and maintain Cliff House  The home directly adjacent to Cliff House, which will be named Cliff Office to distinguish it from the Residence, will serve as the personal offices for His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness, the Empress Consort.  House Ananto will also have a presence at Cliff Office, though the Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval prefers to keep the Operations HQ of House Ananto in Sulari in the Miramar Building.  ODEN will also rent an Office at the building and will use the space for meetings with Government members.

Cliff House is a comfortable 6 bedroom, three bathroom modern design that has several terraces for roof top gardens and photovoltaics.  The design is meant to allow the home to blend into the hill side, and provide a more green, energy efficient space which can provide the Imperial Family the opportunity to see nature, even though they live so close to the City.  Cliff House is actually closer to Wilson Bridge than Wilson House used to be, so the commute into Kaliburg will be shorter for the Royal Family.  The modern interior is meant to get as close to the interior design of Wilson House as possible, including large bay and picture windows, a large dining room, and comfortable bedrooms, all offering spectacular views of Wilson Bridge and the entrance to Davon Bay.

The view from the Middle Level Sitting Room frames Wilson Bridge and Davon Bay in a Bay Window

During the summer, the family can swim in their private rooftop pool, or can follow the private staircase to the beach below, which belongs to the property.  Guillermo Rosa-Caballo said, "It is amazing what we can accomplish cuando dinero se no importa.  When we took this project up, this place was run down and had these weeds growing all over it.  Some of the facades needed to be completely rebuilt, because this place had been vacant for decades.  But Her Highness Princess Michelle showed up with a blank check, y que carajo, I think we created a work of art out of that little piece of paper she gave to us. No mas problemo."  It is rumored that the full remodel took more than a year and more than ₭8.4 million Imperial Rubles.  "No comment," said Rosa-Caballo to the question about how much it cost.  "8.4, conservatively..."

The Emperor and Empress-Consort, along with the Minor Princesses, will move into Cliff House in March of 5620.  The other homes will be ready in May.

@TheRepublic