Handsome and spacious with expansive water views, the Georgian-inspired two-story home at 530 Bay Drive in Riomar Bay is a delight for anyone who enjoys a light-filled dwelling.
What strikes the first-time visitor is the interplay between inside and outside. Much of the outdoors comes into the warm interior, thanks to the light and the open design offering great views of Riomar Bay. And indoor comforts extend to a gorgeous waterfront terrace and a loggia designed to be a true outdoor living room and summer kitchen, with a wood-burning fireplace and motorized retractable screens.
Five bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, high ceilings, an indoor-outdoor sound system and extensive storage space also are part of the 5,685-square-foot home, listed for $3,295,000 by Broker Associate Cindy O’Dare or Premier Estate Properties.
“The theme of the house is the view,” says O’Dare. “It doesn’t stop.”
Because the home sits on a point lot with more than 280 feet of waterfront, nearly all rooms look out over the Indian River Lagoon.
Another desirable aspect of the house is its location – it’s within walking distance of Quail Valley River Club; and a short bike ride to the beach and shops on Ocean Drive. The Riomar Bay neighborhood is located in between the Barber and Alma Lee Loy bridges on the barrier island, providing easy access to grocery stores, restaurants and movie theaters on the mainland.
The sun-drenched patio, at 21 feet by 31 feet, includes a large sitting area around the fireplace on one side, and a large dining area with table and chairs and outdoor kitchen on the other. The dining area, with tongue and groove ceiling, is covered to provide shade from the sun or protection from rain, and yet there is also plenty of space for dining under the stars closer to the water. And there’s an inviting rectangular pool with adjoining spa and lovely fountain at the apex of the impressive water point estate.
Even with all of the exposure to the outdoors, the house is smartly sited to offer privacy from boaters and neighbors. A 10,000-pound boat lift that comes with the house is tucked over to the side of the property so that it doesn’t obstruct the view.
“This house is great for entertaining indoors and outdoors,” said O’Dare, standing on the sprawling terrace.
“You have a prevailing breeze out of the southeast in Vero and when they sited this house they really captured that southeasterly breeze. You look out the windows and everything is moving.” As she spoke, royal palms swayed in the breeze.
Impressive mahogany doors lead into a two-story front hallway with rich marble floors that opens into a living room/dining room area that’s 18 feet by 28 feet with a stunning view of the water and access to the patio. The living areas are anchored by an elegant gas fireplace.
From the hallway, to the right, is the 18 feet by 19 feet vaulted master suite with his-and-hers marble and granite baths with shared shower and customized walk-in closets.
“It’s the new wave of things,” said O’Dare. “Everyone wants their own bathroom.”
The adjacent office has floor-to-ceiling built-ins, and overlooks the front of the property.
To the left of the hallway is a powder room with an eye-catching artist edition Kohler sink with painted flowers and access to a two-car garage that has a spacious upstairs storage area. There is also a one-car garage accessible from another part of the house. Continuing through the hall, you come to the impressive chef’s kitchen. The 12-foot by 23-foot kitchen includes Downsview custom cabinetry, Verdi Chiaro granite counters, glass mosaic back splashes, a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, Dacor gas range and double ovens, and two walk-in pantries.
“Families love this,” said O’Dare. “Kids do their homework at the counter” and there is also an area, almost an alcove, where a kitchen table can be placed. “You can watch the kids in the pool while cooking in the kitchen.” The eating area flows into the spacious family room but does not overwhelm it. All of this overlooks the terrace and water.
The owners designed the floor plan, did a lot of entertaining and thought ahead for the day when their children would leave for college and the parents would live mostly downstairs. Separate air conditioning zones by floor accommodate that style of living.
“That’s important because people often downsize when the children leave,” O’Dare said. Plus all of the living spaces are downstairs so the house doesn’t feel empty without people occupying upstairs bedrooms.
Leading upstairs, the staircase is a handsome mahogany and takes a visitor to an upper gallery with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and featuring gorgeous Brazilian walnut flooring. The hallway then leads to four bedrooms, three with lovely views of the water.
To the far right is the luxurious 12-foot by 21-foot guest suite overlooking the water with a sitting room, private bath, walk-in closet and storage room with washer/dryer hook-ups.
Another bedroom has its own private bath and spacious closet. This bedroom also has a spectacular view of the water and is generous in size at 12 feet by 19 feet.
Two additional bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom with tub/shower with subway tiles.
The house tends toward traditional but the way it’s constructed lends itself to any interior styling.
“While this house may seem traditional at first, there is nothing inherently formal about the architecture or the detailing,” said Richard Boga, associate with the French/O’Dare team at Premier Estate Properties. “Without the antiques that you see here today, the style of this home would lend itself equally well to a more beachy, casual look.”
VITAL STATISTICS
530 Bay Drive
Location: Riomar Bay
Year built: 2007
Lot size: .42 acre
Home size: 5,565 sq. ft.
Architecture: Georgian-inspired
Waterfront: Approximately 300 feet of waterfront looking out at Riomar Bay
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5 1/2
Garage: 2-car, attached with upstairs storage room; 1-car, attached.
Additional features: Outdoor living room with summer kitchen, sprawling pool deck, protected boat dock with lift, central vac, pavered circular drive with additional parking, decorative shutters are operable – they close and latch shut for hurricane protection
Listing agency: Premier Estate Properties
Listing agent: Cindy O’Dare
Listing price: $3,295,000