There’s an awesome view from each and every room except the laundry room in the beautifully-sited 4-bedroom, 4-bath house and accompanying 2-bedroom, 2-bath guest villa at 1365 Shorelands Drive North, in the Shorelands community.
There is no shortage of lovely homes on the barrier island, but this magnificent two-story house is a standout with its classic Georgian architecture and elegant Palm Beach flair. Indeed, classic and elegant are the two defining styles and themes throughout this 6,000-plus-square-foot home sited on 1.4 acres with a 260-foot seawall along the Indian River Lagoon.
“It offers the best view to the southwest in Indian River County,” said Cheryl Burge, a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty who has the listing for the $2,995,000 property.
The late architect James Gibson took full advantage of the waterside location, and the design of the house that arose from his drafting table in 1990 celebrates that.
Walking into the cheerful pink house with rich green shudders, one can’t help but take a deep breath and sigh, for its beautifully intertwined style – both classy and homey – immediately embraces you. With three soaring 25-foot-high windows and custom millwork, sturdy staircase, built-in bookcases and wide hallways, all of which are seen upon stepping into this house, the coziness sets in; even with its grandeur, it is unpretentious.
Spacious rooms unfold one after another. Columns separate the 40-foot by 23-foot living room and large dining room, which share sweeping views of the river beyond an emerald green lawn. The 19-foot by 14-foot kitchen and 23-foot by 14-foot family room respectfully feature a proper wall separating the two spaces but either space is reachable within a few short steps via a brief hallway. This provides a healthy regard for kitchen time and family room activities – watching television, reading or socializing. There is no disadvantage to the layout, for the kitchen is indeed an open and friendly space to cook in while enjoying the views of the river.
White-washed Mexican tile floors, the custom millwork and French doors to the patio and pool from various rooms overlooking the river are lovely features.
Two spacious guest or child’s rooms and a bathroom are located downstairs, while the 26-foot by 14-foot master bedroom suite with pocket-screened doors to a balcony is upstairs, along with another en suite guest room that’s 16 feet by 14 feet.
A pool is nicely protected on 2 sides by the main house and the guest villa to offer privacy. The landscaping is uncluttered and a true celebration of vibrant colors anchored by lush green grass.
The 2-story guest villa conforms architecturally to the main house and offers an ideal setting for a studio, guest cottage, live-in help or mother-in-law suite. It features a spacious kitchenette, family room, two bedrooms with balcony and two full baths. Bedroom dimensions are 15 feet by 12 feet.
Homeowner Marianne Marquardt’s late father, Richard McLoughlin, was the CEO of Reader’s Digest. He and his wife Anita owned a small home on the ocean side near the Moorings beachfront for several years before deciding to build this stunning home on the river. After an extensive search, they found the perfect lot in Shorelands North.
“They loved the natural beauty and activity of the river; the beautiful boats going by, the pelicans diving into the water and the constant parade of jumping dolphin,” said Marquardt. “And the sunsets are spectacular! My mother . . . [conceived] the house to maximize the beautiful, wide river views.”
As grandchildren came along, her parents decided to build the guest house, hoping that if they built it, their children and grandchildren would come. And indeed they did, she added.
“The main house is connected to the guest house by a bougainvillea-covered loggia surrounding a beautiful pool. This all results in the feeling of being in a Relais et Chateaux boutique hotel. We all tried to visit this unique place as often as possible . . . [and] each Christmas the entire family would gather at my parents’ home. It was a special time when siblings and cousins reconnected in this slice of paradise. I have such fond memories of entering the house into the two-story foyer and living room, facing the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the shimmering river. The 12-foot Christmas tree, decorated with all of the ornaments lovingly collected over the years, greeted us.”
There are five homes in Shorelands North, with a separate association and deeded beach access to a private beach. The gated community is near Saint Edward’s School.
With the best panoramic views in Indian River County, it’s quiet, there’s plenty of birdlife to observe and the home has its own private sea wall and dock. Easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway makes for great boating pleasure.