Dignity and charm are the mainstays of the house at 989 Bay Oak Lane, echoing the tenor of the Old Riomar neighborhood where it is located. The Country Club community of Old Riomar was the island’s first residential enclave built around one of the first golf clubs on the east coast of Florida, which still boasts the most oceanfront holes in the state. It is rich in civic history and historical architecture.
This house, too, is filled with the history and surrounded by the beautiful oak trees the community is known for. It has the soul of a house that enriches one’s being the moment one steps foot inside of it.
The beautifully-designed residence has been home to several notable residents, including Seward Johnson, of Johnson & Johnson fame, founder of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
Add to its richness the fact that highly-regarded Clemens Bruns Schaub Architect & Associates catapulted this 1950s modern house to even more aesthetic importance – doing a complete renovation in 1995, adding a Spanish terracotta roof and other great features. Later, in 2014-15, Schaub updated systems and renovated the Spanish roof at the request of current owners, Bill and Lisa Becker.
Bill Becker said “it’s a landmark home” which overlooks the ocean and parts of Riomar golf course, and stands amid 200-year-old oak trees and lofty sea grape hedges.
“It’s very welcoming,” he added of the house, which is listed by Premier Estate Properties broker/associate Cindy O’Dare for $3,450,000. “You feel like you can sit in any of the sofas, lie on the floor and play with the dog, put your feet up on the coffee table and relax. It’s not formal.
“It has tons of character.”
Amid the mesmerizing ticking sound of an antique grandfather, and look of the reclaimed river-bottom pine floors, this 5-bedroom with 6 full bathrooms and a half-bath, and 5,200 square feet of living space is inviting; the experience of being in a charming older home with modern amenities and updates sweeps over you. Walking through the 800-pound Brazilian wood door into a large foyer where a hand-painted mural by a local artist of two fish and a fountain greet you, it’s hard not to be enticed to see what’s next, around the bend.
The scenic, lush corner property has shady old oak trees, enchanting night lighting and privacy hedges. The wraparound loggia, terraces and bougainvillea-cloaked pergola provide inviting spots to relax or entertain outdoors by the year-round 86-degree pool with heater and chiller, overlooking the beautiful gardens.
“You feel very private in the home because of the elevated feeling of it,” said Lisa Becker, noting one of her favorite features of the home. “It’s private but so close to everything. Living under the oak trees is so unusual.”
For gracious entertaining, the large 31-foot by 16-foot great room’s living/dining areas open to the wraparound loggia and panoramic view, and feature a fireplace as a focal point. French doors also open to the loggia from the breakfast room adjoining the country-style gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry.
The family room has a powder room, wet bar and an adjacent laundry room.
Across the foyer, another wing provides a study and two bedrooms, both with full baths. Upstairs, the spacious master suite’s voluminous wing captures sweeping views to the golf course and ocean and opens to a delightful deck. In addition to a sitting/dressing room with two walk-in closets, the master quarters offers the luxury of two separate baths.
Two more bedrooms both have full baths.
Another great feature of the house is that it is built high on a dune and it has a dry basement, one of the few houses in Florida that has one.
The Beckers have enjoyed the prime location. Their three children attended Saint Edward’s School in its former location just up the street from the house. They were able to scooter, skateboard and bicycle to school. The family has walked or bicycled to the beach, downtown area, Catholic Church and Riverside Park over the years.
“We are three blocks from everything,” said Bill Becker.
Schaub added: “Its location is one of the most incredible things.
“We added the charm when we did renovations. It was a 1950s modern house with a flat roof. We added the roof with clay tiles and the columns below, giving it the sense of it being an older house. We added the wood floors. There’s a nice sound from those floors, and the staircase was redone to have more character.”
Cindy O’Dare of Premier Estate Properties said the house is a special one. “The Becker home is truly one-of-a-kind with outstanding lush grounds and Old Riomar charm. This house has been lovingly maintained by the owners and shows beautifully.”
