The property at 693 Eugenia Road in Veromar sits on a large .42-acre lot, explains Candace Kennedy, AMAC Alex MacWilliam realtor. “People who come in are always pleasantly surprised at the size of the property as compared to what they see from the street.”
Dr. Joshua and Isabelle Shipley have owned the home since 2004. They love the nearby municipal marina, dog park, restaurants and proximity to Ocean Drive. Situated between the river and the ocean, the house is bathed by balmy breezes that ensure a more temperate climate.
Siting the house perpendicular to the street made the most of the pie-shaped lot.
From the circle drive, the Shipleys can access their detached, two-car garage or head through the gate into the secluded courtyard between the garage and the house.
“This first outdoor space is great for entertaining,” said Kennedy of the paved courtyard with a covered seating area; it’s also a perfect spot for children to ride tricycles and play safely.
The front door opens directly into the kitchen and dining room – ideally situated for welcoming guests. To the left, the open kitchen has a pantry, gas cooktop and high-end appliances – ready any level of entertaining.
Kennedy notes that the home has a more traditional feel and yet has a surprisingly open-concept layout for a house built in the 1950s, making it stand out from many of the beach cottages prevalent on the island.
“It’s got a real ‘old Florida’ feel,” she adds.
Other interesting features include the stacked stone fireplace; wood and tile flooring throughout; built-ins in one of the guest bedrooms; and the exposed-beam ceiling in the sitting room.
The family room is at the center of the house, with a raised wood-burning fireplace on one side of the room and views of the pool on the other, creating a warm and inviting space.
A formal sitting room is situated between the communal spaces and the owner’s suite, making a nice buffer. Kennedy notes that barn doors across the room would extend the already spacious suite to create an intimate sitting room or office with a private entrance.
The primary suite enjoys pool views and has a walk-in closet, parquet flooring and a spa-like bathroom. Stacked stone walls, a bowl sink and a shower with a multi-function showerhead create a blissful experience.
On the opposite side of the house, a short hallway leads to two guest bedrooms and a shared bath with a clawfoot bathtub, one more detail giving the home a bit of character.
“This is where the owners spend the bulk of their time,” says Kennedy pointing to the poolside oasis, an amazing, resort-like space.
Brick pavers and pony walls define the outdoor living area. “They’ve set it up so there’s nothing you can’t do out here,” says Kennedy, noting the covered seating and dining areas, a space to cook, take a swim in the heated pool, sit by the fire pit or soak in the freestanding spa.
“If you had a party, you could literally hold three separate parties: poolside, inside and in the courtyard. It’s very inviting,” adds Kennedy.
Mature oak trees and lush vegetation complement the color palette the Shipleys chose to paint the house, somehow making the foliage stand out even more.
The oversized garage has plenty of space to store kayaks, surfboards, bikes and fishing gear. You can access the air-conditioned laundry room and fitness studio through a separate entrance. An extended parking pad on the west side of the garage provides parking for a boat or motorhome.
Flamingo Drive – a nearby unpaved road great for walking pets – and the charming canopied streets of Central Beach are reminiscent of simpler, bygone days.
The Shipleys enjoy walking to the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and over to Ocean Drive in the evening. When they want something a little more lively, they head over to Live in the Loop at Riverside Theatre on the weekends.
“Everything is within walking distance,” they say.
Veromar – in the section of Central Beach located north of the Merrill P. Barber Bridge – is convenient to mainland shopping and a short walk to the beach and the Ocean Drive shopping, dining and resort district. Cultural offerings are nearby at Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Riverside Park offers a walking/exercise trail, large tennis facility and a boat launch just south of the neighborhood. The city marina and an off-leash dog park are nearby.
Photos provided
