A sense of optimism sweeps over a person entering the magnificent house at 640 Ocean Road in John’s Island. Indeed, here in this home, smartly situated high above a broad strip of beach, it seems that life is always rosy, the glass always half full.
At least that’s the way the owner of this 5 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom house approaches her day, starting with the moment she opens those motorized drapes in the master bedroom.
“There’s never a bad day in this house, even when it’s raining,” she said.
Built in 1991 one on of the highest lots in John’s Island, the home underwent a major renovation in 2004. Windows galore illuminate its 8,286-square-foot interior, providing light and openness – gateways to a seemingly endless sky and ocean beyond. The house is listed by John’s Island Real Estate Company and priced at $8,500,000.
Situated on a 1.34 acre lot, set back 100 feet from the road and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this grand expression of contemporary design celebrates the finest of what life has to offer: Opulence derived from simple lines that don’t obscure or get in the way of the beauty that’s beyond its windows and doors. A perfect example of this: From a window-lined second-story bridge between a guest room and the master suite, one can see the moonrise and sunset at the same time.
“Seeing the moon shining on the ocean, you feel like you’re on the deck of the QE2,” the owner said, gazing out the broad living room window and referring to the ocean liner built by the Cunard Line as both a transatlantic liner and cruise ship.
The owner’s attention to detail was translated “to the tee” by Vero Beach architect Peter Moor of Moor & Associates Architects, during the 2004 renovation.
Its contemporary beauty is felt immediately upon entering through a sleek walnut door that opens to a Jerusalem limestone courtyard with Jandy pool, mature Birds of Paradise and Medjool palm trees. The front door is essentially the entry to the garden space.
“The opportunity of the house is that the pool is in the front yard,” Moor said. “I considered it the first room, the foyer of the house. The outdoors becomes immediately part of the house. We blurred the lines between inside and outside. The house is really the merging of a more modern sensibility within a Georgian community.” This is one of the things that makes the home so special within John’s Island where Georgian architecture dominates.
Stepping from the courtyard into the dramatic, double-height living room with fireplace, one finds a series of vertical windows on both eastern and western exposures that flood the room with light.
Luxurious appointments include Venetian plaster walls, limestone flooring, brass-framed impact-resistant windows, custom built-ins of teak and walnut and other fine finishes. An indoor/outdoor lighting system, a cabana with bamboo inlay vaulted ceiling, and 3-car air conditioned garage are a few other outstanding features of the house.
The owner prizes the home’s neutral interiors, the better to appreciate the ocean view. “That’s the art,” she said, pointing to the blue waters. “[The house is] peaceful, calm, devoid of color because the color comes from the ocean. I didn’t want too much print or action. It’s neutral, and the Venetian plaster walls and limestone play into that. You can put in any style – if you want to put a pink couch in the room, you can.”
The house lends itself well to exhibiting artwork, given the serene interior with artfully-made walnut built-ins, perfect for displaying interesting items and collectibles.
“It’s a livable museum,” Moor said. “If you consider it as art, it is a portrait of a more modern, open lifestyle.”
Bob Gibb, chairman/broker of John’s Island Real Estate Company, remarked that indeed the house is a standout for its 120 feet of ocean frontage and clean, awe-inspiring lines, as well as for its fine construction – able to withstand the stresses of the ocean and Vero’s rare tropical storms. “It’s built like a fortress,” he said.
Gibb said the house has a minimalist feel as opposed to a traditional one like other homes on John’s Island.” He figures the airy, breezy feel, and crisp simple lines, may appeal especially to younger families. “That kind of dynamic is fun.”
The house has many parts to it that are private enclaves in their own right, though beautifully tied together into a cohesive whole. The downstairs guest suite with living space, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchenette and direct access to the beach is one such independent living area. Another is a cabana, set off by a breezy yet protected courtyard, consisting of a kitchen, and living and dining area – a place where the owner has intimate dinners with her husband and friends. It’s a nice change from the stunning dining room with an ocean view off of the spacious kitchen and family room.
640 Ocean Road is an ideal house for entertaining, states the owner, who has thrown some marvelous parties and events attended by as many as 150 guests, who were able to sit and circulate comfortably in the spacious home.
But it is the great expanse outdoors that she appreciates most, something she does each morning, when the curtains open to unveil the seagulls in the sky. “I take a deep breath,” she said. “I can start my day and feel peaceful. I need that.”
John’s Island is a private, luxurious, ocean-to-river community just north of Vero Beach in Indian River shores, recently ranked the safest city in Florida. Fortune 500 CEO’s and entrepreneurs are attracted to the picturesque seaside landscape and world-class amenities.
There are three championship golf courses designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio, 18 Har-Tru tennis courts, professional squash and croquet, water activities and a Health & Fitness Center. Members participate in social activities for all ages, lifelong learning, cultural events and dining at three clubhouses including the spectacular Beach Club overlooking three miles of private beach.
