Rod and Julie Parker find the privacy one of the finest parts of living in this part of the sprawling, beautifully developed John’s Island Club. They consider their lovely home at 295 Coconut Palm Road a slice of paradise on the barrier island.
“The main thing we love is living on a lake; we love how peaceful it is,” said Julie Parker. “There is an abundance of birds.”
Normally, the couple wouldn’t budge from the home they cherish and have thoughtfully renovated, but practical matters have come into play. Now, with grandchildren in the picture, it’s time for a slightly larger house to accommodate a growing crowd during family visits.
Still, the Parkers are so enamored of the neighborhood and the lovely views, they decided not to go far; they are moving right across the water from their current 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom house, which is listed with John’s Island Real Estate Company for $2,450,000.
In a setting carefully landscaped to afford maximum privacy, this retreat is a rare find.
The 0.35-acre property overlooks serene views of sparkling Lake Reams and entertains well around a tropical poolside terrace. Custom millwork and finishes, French doors and classic Georgian architecture add warmth to the home anchored by a gracious 22.5-foot by 19-foot living room with fireplace, flooded with natural light.
The updated gourmet island kitchen is a chef’s delight with ample storage and custom cabinetry; it adjoins a spacious dining area and the 16-foot by 22-foot family room with vaulted ceiling.
Beautifully composed in ambience and neutral color schemes, the luxurious 16.5-foot by 18-foot master suite with office provides a peaceful respite from life’s demands The new, spa-like en suite bathroom is beautifully appointed with custom tile, built-ins, walk-in glass shower, tub and large his and her walk-in closets.
Fresh colors and a relaxed style ensure hospitable comfort throughout the house. Additional features include a handsome den, spacious guest bedrooms and two single-car garages.
“It has a very crisp, fresh, young feel to it,” said Ba Stone, listing agent. “It’s a wonderful family house in a great neighborhood. It has lush tropical surroundings with beautiful live oaks and original foliage dating back to when the island was first developed. The spaciousness of the house allows for diversity in the living areas and is conducive to entertaining with nice indoor and outdoor areas.”
Since purchasing 295 Coconut Palm Road in 2008, the Parkers have done major improvements to the 5,402-square-foot home built in 1997.
“It’s simple but elegant,” Julie Parker said. “It’s very classic and understated. I tried to do everything in a way I thought a house in Florida should be.”
The high ceilings, spacious indoor and outdoor living areas and flexibility of the floor plan all provide for easy living. Avid golfers and tennis players, the couple decided to utilize one of the two garages for sports equipment.
They opted to utilize the dining room as a den/office, and converted a den into a bedroom located on the north side of the house across from the master suite.
In recent years, the couple added a new pool, spa and patio, and a new family room with French doors out to the patio. The landscaping was completely redone, the chimneys were rebuilt and new outdoor lighting was installed. The kitchen and family room renovation included all new wood floors, new cabinets and counters and a new Wolf oven. The hall bathroom was completely renovated with a new tub/shower and vanity floors, and high-quality sound system speakers were wired and installed in several living spaces.
A new roof, including plywood, membrane, flashing and more, was installed in 2012; and hurricane shutters and garage doors were brought up to current code.
In 2013, the master bath was completely renovated and some new impact-resistant windows were installed.
A year later, the rest of the windows were replaced except for the small round windows and the French doors in the living room. The master bedroom office was renovated. A crib niche was installed with easy access from a guest bedroom, and the north garage was renovated.
Last year, a child safety pool/lake fence was installed.
Ed Reilly of Reilly Construction did the renovations.
“It’s a very happy house because of the light,” said Julie Parker.
There are two good-sized guest rooms that share a Jack-and-Jill bath. These rooms offer easy access to the kitchen and family room, as well as outdoors.
John’s Island Club is a private, member-owned golf, tennis and beach club nestled between three miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. The club offers classic to casual dining facilities, three 18-hole championship golf courses, 18 Har-Tru clay tennis courts, singles and doubles squash courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, two croquet lawns and an outstanding calendar of social and recreational activities.