The authentic-looking Mediterranean-style home at 241 Riverway Drive in Seagrove West has great curb appeal, with a semi-circular paver drive that curves around a large lushly landscaped island, a variegated tile roof with clean lines and beige stucco walls with white trim. It would not look out of place on a seaside hill in Italy.
Built by highly-regarded island builder Jan Jelmby in 1994, the stately 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath waterfront house has 5,170 square feet of air-conditioned space with more than 6,700 square feet underroof, including patios, balconies and a three car garage.
Jelmby says the home, which took about a year to build, was ahead of its time architecturally in Vero Beach.
“At that time, Georgian and [Old Florida] were the predominant styles,” says Jelmby, who moved to Vero from Sweden in 1984 to launch his successful homebuilding and renovation company, Helmet House Construction. “The house at 241 Riverway was very much in the forefront of the Mediterranean style that has become popular on the island.”
“It is very well built and has stood the test of time,” says Cindy O’Dare, a broker associate with Premier Estate Properties who with her partner Clark French listed the house for $1,695,000.
“For a really well done riverfront home, this is a value buy,” says French. “Obviously, we have seen escalation in waterfront prices on the island and there are not many like this left, under $2 million in a great waterfront location.”
“The setting provides a direct sunset view, and what is really nice, the house is on a very protected waterway, probably one of the safest harbors in Vero,” says O’Dare.
Entry to the home is via a grand arched set of custom mahogany doors outlined by continuous sidelights and toplights that lead into a foyer that is overlooked by a balcony above and that opens into a great room with fireplace and built=in bookcases.
Straight ahead upon entry is a striking curved staircase with open treads that leads to a fabulous master suite and guest suite on the second floor.
Made of oak and set against the river view that can be seen by the mostly glass wall behind it, the staircase adds drama and bespeaks the custom quality of the home.
“I wanted to have a very special statement as you entered the house,” says Jelmby. “We built the staircase in our woodworking and furniture shop.”
To the right of the foyer is a powder room and a media room or library with a handsome bow window. To the left of the foyer is the formal dining room with a tray ceiling and matching bow window.
A butler’s pantry connects the dining room to a wonderfully spacious and well-designed chef’s kitchen that is open to the breakfast room and a huge family room, all enjoying views of the pool and lagoon.
The island kitchen features granite countertops, Sub-Zero and Kitchen-Aid appliances, and ceramic tile floors with look of slate that continue throughout most of the first floor.
The breakfast area is encompassed by a large bow window overlooking the water, while the family room features extensive built in for an entertainment system. Door lead from the kitchen and family room to the covered patio and pool area. A large pantry and well equipped laundry room are adjacent to the kitchen. The entrance to the attached three-car garage is just down the hall.
Beyond the kitchen are two en suite guest or children’s rooms, both approximately 13 feet by 15 feet, with plenty of closet space.
The bathroom attached to the back bedroom, doubles as a can bath and also is accessible from the family room.
The magnificent four-room master suite occupies most of the second floor. It includes a large front room that can be used as an office or exercise space, a morning room flanked by another sweeping bow window that overlooks the patio and river, a spacious bedroom with columns and pediment framing the area where the bed goes and a master bath with dressing area, two walk-in closets, an elevated spa tub and huge Roman shower. Toilet and bidet are in a private chamber.
Opposite the master suite is another compete guest suite with full bath and access to the balcony that affords a peaceful place to relax and watch the sun going down over the lagoon.
The freeform pool with attached spa seen below is surrounded by a paver patio open to the Florida sunshine. Beyond the pool area is a grassy lawn and a wooden walkway leading to the home’s dock in the protected cove Cindy O’Dare mentioned. There are two boat lifts and a swimming ladder.
Jelmby’s distinguished Mediterranean villa is right at the end of the small inlet so views from the back of the house and patio extend directly out over the width of the Indian River Lagoon, taking in boat traffic on the Intracoastal Waterway and the far mainland shore.
There is wildlife to be seen, too. Victoria Wilburn, who works with French and O’Dare, says her favorite thing about the property are the manatees that hand out in the protected waters behind the house.
“One thing people loved about the house when we built it is the way it is spread out on property so that you have a view from every room,” says Jelmby. “The kids have a view, the parents have a view, there is a view from kitchen, the entry, everywhere.”
“It is a really nice riverfront family home, and you cannot beat the prices,” says O’Dare.
