Located less than a block from the ocean, the spacious Georgian home at 960 Beacon Lane offers a beach lifestyle at a bargain price.
Listed for $850,000 by Treasure Coast Sotheby’s Realtor Jill Arsenault, the 5-bedroom, 4.5 bath home is surrounded by bird of paradise, elephant ear and other lush tropical plants including a variety of palm trees.
Set in the midst of all that greenery, with a salt smell in the air, the two-story pink stucco house gives off an appealing Palm Beach vibe.
“This is a perfect family home,” says Arsenault. “There is a private beach four houses down that you can join for $355 per year. It is one of the few dog-friendly beaches in Vero. Dogs are allowed in early morning and in the evening but not during the day between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. They call the evening dog-friendly period doggy happy hour!”
The home’s large heated backyard pool, surrounded by a brick paver patio and more tropical plants that make it a totally private enclave, adds to the sense of leisurely upscale Florida living.
A circular drive leads from the quiet subdivision street to the front of the home, which features two handsome bay windows flanking a front door with sidelights. Fluted columns support a railed balcony above the front porch which has French doors providing access.
Entering, a visitor steps into a wide foyer. It is a very classy and classic space with white panel doors, crown molding and dark hardwood floors. To the right a curved staircase with dark hardwood steps and railing and white balustrades goes up to the second floor where there are four bedrooms, an office and a 20-foot by 20-foot family/media room.
To the left of the foyer is an intimate sitting room or parlor with a bay window that opens into the breakfast room at the rear of the house as well as the foyer. To the right, past the base of the staircase is the entryway to the 24-foot-long living room, which has a wood-burning fireplace and a wall of built-in cabinets and shelves surrounding French doors that lead out to the pool patio. The hardwood floors flow through form the foyer along with an abundance of white-painted woodwork and moldings, including crown molding and wainscoting that continue the classy, classic ambiance.
Next to the living room, behind the foyer, is a large formal dining room with chandelier and more French doors leading to the pool. Door lead from it to the living room, foyer and kitchen. Beyond the dining room is the gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, Jenn-air appliances and a spacious breakfast nook.
Another set of French doors link the breakfast nook to the patio, making the whole back of the house open to the outdoors.
Beyond the kitchen is a first floor en suite bedroom with French doors to the outside that would make a good mother-in-law suite or place for someone who doesn’t want to navigate the main staircase.
Upstairs there is a great master suite at the east end of the house that includes a big-bright open bathroom plan with a huge shower and a private sitting room in a bump-out projection that overlooks the Palm Beach pool.
Next to the master is a smaller bedroom with a hall door and door that connects to the master that would make a perfect nursery or bedroom for a small child. In front of the house, to left from the top of the stairs is a full hall bath and a guest bedroom with a door linking it to the bathroom.
Down the hall that leads toward the home’s western section is an office, another master bedroom suite and the big media room.
The bedroom has a full bath with a large glassed in shower and walk-in closet with built-in cabinets and shelves and a separate outside entrance accessed by exterior steps that come up from behind the garage.
“This is a perfect place for an older teenager who wants some independence,” Arsenault says.
Next to the bedroom, the family room has another wall of the beautifully-crafted built-ins that incorporate an entertainment center, a coffered ceiling and lots of windows with plantation shutters to let in the Florida light.
Outside, the oversized pool does not take up the entire yard as is often the case. Instead there is an expansive grassy area behind and to one side of the paved patio that provides room for kids games and typical suburban outdoor living.
If they choose, residents here can join the Moorings Yacht and Country Club, which is right across A1A, less than half a mile away. The private, full service club offers an 18-hole par-64 Pete Dye-designed golf course with water views and challenging holes, nine Har-Tru tennis course open for day and nighttime play along with a completer tennis center, a state-of-the –art fitness center, resort pool and spa, along with an array of dining options from causal to fine dining overseen by Chef Ben Tench. There is a yacht club with excursions and a busy social calendar of events, lecture, classes and parties.
Arsenault says the home would be a good choice for an active family looking for a fulltime residence in beautiful Vero Beach that is within walking distance of St. Edwards School, or for a couple planning to retire soon who want to buy now before rising home prices escalate further.
If someone bought ahead of time, Arsenault says the home would be profitable to rent out in the meantime.
“The current owner made more than $50,000 between January and June by renting the property,” she says, “and it has been rented this summer, too.”
