A historic and unique East End home was demolished over the weekend.

Round House in Tucker's Town, so-named because it was perfectly round, was built in the early 1930s by Abby Rockefeller-Milton -- a relation of former US Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller.

However this weekend saw the end of the curious piece of architecture when its latest owner -- understood to be Australian television impresario Reg Grundy -- had it razed to the ground.

The chairman of Government's historic buildings advisory committee, Andrew Trimingham, told The Royal Gazette yesterday that the Round House was not a protected building, but given time might have become one.

"It's a sad thing to happen,'' he said, "because it's a bit of history that's now gone.

"It was architecturally curious rather than good,'' he continued.

"What made it special is that it is an absolutely gorgeous piece of property -- one of the finest in Bermuda. It has a stunning view and the property goes all the way around its own protected bay.'' Mr. Trimingham said he had no idea who the present owner of the property was, but added: "What worries me is that he or she will build a colossal place there that will completely ruin the scale of the land.'' He claimed that when people came to the Island and built homes they did not want to spoil what they came to Bermuda for.

That was to get away from the "mad world'' and come to a quiet place of beauty, said Mr. Trimingham, "so they built accordingly''.

"They did not build pretentious palaces.'' The house was sold in the early 1950s to Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Jefferson who used to visit the Island every year between June and September.

Mr. Trimingham said the first changes to the house's structure were made when a ground floor bedroom was added to the building for Mr. Jefferson who had suffered a stroke and could not climb stairs.

When Mr. Jefferson died, Mrs. Jefferson sold the house to a South African couple who were responsible for planting exotic species of plants in the garden.

The house was then sold to a Mr. and Mrs. Borden who sold the house to the latest owner, he continued.

"The Bordens are rather upset about the whole thing, I understand,'' he said.

"They would have sold the house to an under-bidder rather than have it pulled down.'' Mr. and Mrs. Borden -- who are believed to still be on the Island -- could not be reached for comment yesterday.

DESTROYED -- Where the Round House once stood in Tucker's Town, only rubble and earth remain after the circular home was torn down over the weekend.