From the broad second-floor balcony of the elegant West Indies-designed estate at 1321 River Club Drive, one can gaze down upon two of the most historic and scenic vistas in all of Indian River County: Jungle Trail and the iconic Indian River, both redolent of a Florida long past.
The driveway of this spacious home circles a graceful trio of Royal Palms and low landscape greenery, and leads to a front double gate flanked by white, lighted columns, opening onto a large formal courtyard. Around a 4-tiered centerpiece fountain, palms and grass expanses edge paved walkways, which lead left to the 3-bay garage and service wing, and right to the separate guest house, which offers comfort, privacy and all the same materials and touches as those of the main house.
The home’s white, 2-story, columned facade features three banks of tall glass doors and windows, white on the second level, lustrous mahogany on the ground floor, where the blue/green architectural shutters enclose hurricane shutters. A broad loggia extends across the entire second level.
The home’s placement on the property and the well-considered positioning of its many doors and windows allow a continuous flow of ambient light into virtually every living space during daylight hours. The creamy hues of the stone and Travertine floors, the walls, millwork and stunningly designed ceilings, further enhance the effect, imbuing the interior with a soft, natural glow. Recessed lighting supplements the various elegant fixtures throughout the home.
Broad gallery hallways extend from the foyer, providing ample wall space for the display of art collections. The living room is breathtaking, with soaring 15-foot ceilings, and three sets of double-glass doors across the length of the west wall, adorned only with flows of graceful pale sheers framing the lovely view. Adding a cozy touch here is a handsome stone fireplace, flanked by custom, floor-to-ceiling shelving, ready to display favorite objets d’art. In the living room, as throughout, the triple crown molding and other custom millwork further enhance the home’s clean elegance.
The entertaining possibilities will be virtually limitless when all these doors are flung open, creating a big, beautiful indoor-outdoor space for gatherings as large or as intimate, as formal or as casual, as the homeowners choose. On the south end of the wide covered patio, beneath a pergola, is a summer kitchen, with built-in barbecue; a second fireplace anchors the north end.
The formal dining room opens into the courtyard, via double mahogany doors, and features a spectacular gold-hued chandelier. Opposite the dining room, to the north, is an identical “flex” room, ready to be transformed into an office, den or library.
The kitchen is downright gorgeous, truly a chef’s dream-come-true, with KitchenAid appliances throughout: double oven, electric cooktop (that can be converted to gas), a hidden microwave, abundant custom storage within the furniture quality cabinetry, including a cabinet-front, double-door fridge.
The island and counter are topped with the most beautiful (gold, cream, cocoa, gray, black) polished granite. The island houses the dishwasher, a deep sink and a convenient electrical outlet. It’s lighted by one of the kitchen’s two wrought-iron chandeliers, extending from the striking coffered ceiling. Here, too, you’ll find the home’s signature crown molding and fine millwork detailing; roll-down bamboo shades stylishly control the light.
The kitchen extends into a space well-suited for an informal dining or casual seating area.
The garage bays and a parking area are accessed from the side, keeping the home’s front facade visually balanced. A covered walkway from the garage leads to a service area, which includes a wine cellar, laundry room, storage area/mud room and bathroom.
Ascending to the second level, it is worth a brief pause on the landing to take in the beauty of the 2-story-tall glass window wall, flooding the stairwell with light.
The north side of the main floor is given over to one of the two master suites. The other occupies much of the second level. Both are beautiful hideaways, with walk-in closets, spectacular views from the master bedroom, and access to the covered loggia, a perfect retreat for unwinding and taking in the natural beauty of one of the most serene stretches of the river, and the sandy Jungle Trail.
In the downstairs master bath, the large cream-colored tiles are crossed, at wide intervals, with diagonal rows of small square tiles in dark brown, which also, in a horizontal, triple row, give a bit of punch to the shower walls, a pleasing effect.
On the second level, three sets of double glass doors span the west wall of the master bedroom. A short hallway with twin walk-in closets leads to a charming little sitting room, with white wainscoting and a wall of custom, built-in storage. The second level also houses a guest bedroom, with full bath. All three rooms let out onto the spacious loggia with its views down onto the pergola, summer kitchen, landscaped pool and spa area, with spectacular river views beyond.
River Club residents have access to numerous community amenities: a clubhouse, pool, exercise/fitness room; granted beach access; granted waterway access; and a manager on site.
From River Club, it is a short 10-minute drive down A1A to the charming Vero’s charming seaside village, with its tempting variety of shops, salons and restaurants. Here, too, you’ll find Riverside Park, home to Riverside Theatre (Equity), the Vero Beach Museum of Art, lots of sports opportunities, various festivals and other events throughout the year, and a 5-acre, off-leash dog park nearby.
