The 4-bedroom, 4-full-bath, 1 half-bath waterfront home at 122 Springline Drive in the Anchor subdivision at The Moorings sits right at the tip of the “anchor,” but it’s the stunning sunset views that really “moor” this spectacular home.

Situated at the central point on the cove, this spacious, perfectly-placed house benefits from its protective environment while allowing for a broad open view of the Indian River Lagoon. Situated just south of The Moorings Clubhouse, as the dolphins swim, this lot is considered to be one of the best in the Moorings.

Bruce and Pat Wardell were ready to “come South” from the New York area two decades ago and looked all over Florida before settling down in Vero Beach. “We looked everyplace, and no place is like Vero. It’s so unique. We’re boaters and golfers, so The Moorings is perfect for us; it really is paradise,” says Pat Wardell.

“They had the vision to take a two-bedroom ranch with low ceilings and create this beautiful home,” says Moorings Realty broker Marsha Sherry. All of the windows have been replaced, a pool, master suite and a bedroom were added.

The open-concept living space has the river as a backdrop, framed through floor-to-ceiling windows. Lush gardens incorporate nature into the home with access points to the outside from every room.

A feeling of peace pervades the property from the first glance, says Sherry, starting with the pretty garden that greets you when you arrive, “There are gardens everywhere. With this gracious entrance and circular drive, you’ve got a lot of room for parking. It’s a great house for entertaining.”

Red bricks pave the way to the front entry where a half wall creates a cozy, welcoming garden. It’s hard to tell that you’re leaving the outdoors when you step over the threshold into the family room and formal dining area with a vaulted ceiling, skylights and a wall of sliders opening onto the patio.

A wooden staircase leads to the loft situated just above the family room. The loft is the perfect place for an office, art studio, library or playroom, but perhaps not the best place to try and get any serious work accomplished – with the three large windows offering dreamy views of the river.

A deck juts off the loft like the bow on a ship and allows for still more expansive views. The crow’s nest is a great place to settle in when the Blue Angels are in town and The Moorings Realty Christmas Boat Parade passes by, according to Wardell.

Guest rooms affording complete privacy occupy the southern wing of the house. At the rear of the home, the original master suite is a grand space with fantastic river views. Palatial, as far as guest rooms go, the suite includes walk-in closets and dual sinks. Down the hall, a second guest bedroom awaits grandchildren or teens wanting a little more privacy.

The northern wing houses an air-conditioned two-car garage, storage room, generous laundry room and third bedroom at the front of the house. Heading toward the rear of the home, the kitchen is conveniently located for easy access to the dining room and outdoor seating area.

Gleaming granite countertops grace the sunny kitchen. The island holds a farmer’s sink and provides additional meal-prep space, extra storage space and seating for two. Wolfe appliances and a gas cooktop make working in the kitchen a joy. Off to the side, a wine cooler, ice maker, sink and perfectly placed wet bar finish off the room.

The breakfast room is adjacent to the kitchen where every meal is a garden party. A partial wall of lattice and garden access make this cozy room just right for a spot of tea.

The Wardells opened up the formal living room with a tray ceiling and by enlarging the windows beside the wood-burning fireplace.

Tucked into this corner of the house, the master suite and den enjoy space away from the rest of the house. This retreat has high ceilings and en-suite bath, including a water closet, shower and two walk-in closets.

Sliders line two walls of the master bedroom with an oeil-de-boeuf between them, giving the room a nautical feel almost as if you’re at sea.

The patio can be accessed from any of the rear-facing rooms, all of which open to the outdoors. The sliding windows enhance this hybrid indoor-outdoor space and offer unrestricted views.

“We’re looking directly west. The sunsets are magnificent,” says Wardell.

This home has fantastic outdoor spaces. Brick pavers surround the pool with plenty of covered space for dining and lounging along the huge deck. Head down the short path leading to the water where a large boat dock awaits with a 24,000-pound boat lift along 155-feet of water frontage.

When the dock was replaced several years ago, the Wardells raised the dock and had the seawall expanded. There’s plenty of room for grandchildren to safely fish, and the wider berth adds a layer of protection from turbulent waters.

“Boaters really like the space on the seawall. There is so much room here that you can get in, even on the windiest day,” explains Wardell.

“This is a boater’s dream right here,” adds Sherry.

There’s a generous backyard with plenty of green space to play and a deck positioned for the nightly show of reds, oranges, and pinks as the sun goes down. The Wardells enjoy sipping a glass of wine and watching the dolphins put on a show as manatees lumber past.

“It’s a great house for a big party,” says Wardell. And the couple puts this to the test with their quadrennial Leap Year party which has swelled to include 100 people over the years. “We throw open all the doors, and everybody is outside. A bagpiper pipes all the guests in and then at sunset he pipes ‘Amazing Grace’ on the seawall.”

“We’ve been in this house for 20 years,” shares Wardell. “I’ll miss the view and the amazing sunsets.”

As a member of the Moorings Property Owners Association, residents have private beach access and patrolled security. Designed as a boating community, The Moorings Yacht & Country Club offers all the amenities residents desire, including Pete Dye’s signature course, Jim Fazio’s Hawk’s Nest championship course, tennis and croquet courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center with pool and spa, yacht club, as well as fine and casual dining.

The Moorings is a short drive away from Vero’s Ocean Drive for shopping and dining. The nearby Riverside Theatre and Vero Beach Museum of Art offer world-class cultural outings. For families with children, Saint Edward’s School conveniently abuts the community.

Vital Statistics

Address: 122 Springline Drive
Neighborhood: Anchor at the Moorings
Year built: 1981
Lot size: +half acre
Home size: 6,000 sq. ft.
Construction: Concrete block
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4 full baths, 1 half-bath
Additional features: Gated subdivision, security-patrolled community, waterfront, fireplace, backup generator, ice machine, two wine coolers, loft, impact glass, storm shutters, swimming pool, air-conditioned two-car garage, dock, boat lift, granted beach and waterway access.
Listing agency: The Moorings Realty Sales Co., 772-231-5131
Listing price: $2,400,000