[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”9″ sortorder=”34,36,35,30,31,32,33,37,38,39,40″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_imagebrowser” ajax_pagination=”0″ order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]An Old World elegance informs Village by the Sea, a small, private enclave in Vero’s South Beach. Of the 16 Village by the Sea homes, the luxurious 3-level townhouse at 1514 Ocean Drive is one of only two located directly on the oceanfront, with splendid views of the sparkling Atlantic and only steps from its sandy shore.
John and Margaret McCain are the current owners and consider their home “a charming little gem.” McCain leads the way through the house, and comments, “you can’t trade that beach for anything in Vero!”
He explains that, unlike much Treasure Coast shoreline, the beach outside his door is steadily accreting, or gaining sand, instead of losing sand to erosion.
McCain is CEO of Texas-based NTT Data Services, overseeing 50,000 employees in 40 countries, and the couple has traveled and lived all over the globe. Their Ocean Drive townhouse was a second residence, but they have “fallen in love with” the Treasure Coast over the years, and are now building a home in the Sandy Lane subdivision with the intention of making Vero Beach their home base and primary residence.
Although the townhouse enclave is just off of Ocean Drive, only moments from the shops, resorts and restaurants of Vero’s charming beachside village, it imparts a feeling of complete privacy – a quiet retreat sheltered from view behind elegant gates and lush landscaping.
The beautifully designed exteriors have the ambiance of a Mediterranean resort, with walls a soft, sunny peach, arched entryways, red tile roofs, and long, bricked, vine-and-palm embraced passageways punctuated by graceful fountains.
Within a charming entry alcove, the simple, arched, dark wood front door makes a dramatic statement. Once inside, McCain says, “it doesn’t feel like a townhouse,” but more like a single-family home – and so it does. It is spacious and filled with wonderful ambient light, which pours in through numerous windows and doors, skillfully placed to take full advantage of the seaside location and ocean views.
Ceilings and walls are soft white. Floors are creamy, pillow-edged limestone in the living areas and warm, glowing hardwood in the bedrooms. Through this subtle, sophisticated palette, the flow between indoors and out becomes seamless.
From the ground floor, a staircase winds upward, creating a dramatic sense of transition. The white risers and polished dark wood treads follow a sleek, stylish brass railing, which the McCains had installed. Alternately, a private elevator serves all three levels of this charming home.
From the spacious great room on the main level, the eye is instantly drawn to the glass east “wall.” Completely retractable glass doors open to a 3-arched, columned Italianate balcony to reveal a stunning, palm-framed panorama across the sea grape-grown dunes to the beach and sparkling ocean. A trio of six-pane windows on the room’s south side provides still more outdoor light.
The adjacent dining area also enjoys a generous flow of outside light though tall double windows on the east and west sides. Adding elegance to the dining experience: a golden chandelier features a pair of crystal fixtures extending from gold chains and encompassed by a sheer white, oval shade, creating a soft, romantic glow. A striking art work enhances the dining room wall – five rows of five glass squares, separately suspended, each a different design, in several soft colors. (This lovely work is included with the house.)
The family cook or cooks will fall in love with the gourmet kitchen with its honey-colored wood cabinetry, granite countertops, cabinet-front dishwasher and Sub-Zero fridge, and electric cooktop and oven. The island is a super-generous 5 feet by 9 feet with an absolutely gorgeous white quartz top. It accommodates a breakfast bar, round rinsing sink, microwave, ice-maker, wine cooler and Sub-Zero food storage unit.
The kitchen also houses a special feature that should delight the family’s manager-in-chief/listmaker/organizer: a mini-office with countertop desk, drawers and space for computer, printer, phone and lamp, right below two sunny corner windows.
Just off the kitchen is a pass-through butler’s pantry with handsome green wood cabinetry, leading to an elegant little powder room.
The master suite on the third level is a lovely, airy sanctuary. Two sets of double doors open onto a balustrade balcony with possibly the most dazzling ocean view of all, past swaying palms to the azure sea and the sky. The light-filled master bath glows in white and cream and features double-sink, granite vanity, water closet, Jacuzzi tub beneath a pair of windows, and glass-front shower with built in bench and decorative mosaic tiles. Double glass doors open onto the balcony. The windows and doors have cocoa-hued shades which offer privacy and a pleasing color contrast. This suite includes a generous his/hers walk-in closet.
The two guest bedrooms have en suite baths and double glass doors opening onto a balcony. The stylish laundry room is also on this level. Custom designed by McCain, it features stacked, full-size washer/dryer and beautifully-crafted wood cabinetry in a wonderful, subtle shadow of green.
The foyer on the ground floor leads to the large cabana room, a comfortable place to just hang out and relax. From here one can access the loggia and the community pool on the stone-tiled lounge terrace. This baluster-edged outdoor space is pleasantly landscaped with plants and palms, and a gate leads down a sandy path across the dune to the shore.
McCain knows men will appreciate the 2-bay garage which he designed with tidy, custom cabinetry and a convenient full-size fridge with water dispenser on the door. He upgraded the floor with that super-strong, durable epoxy finish, significantly tougher than the usual concrete surface. In addition to impact glass throughout, the home’s windows also have storm shutters, a nice aesthetic feature in fair weather and extra protection when a storm blows in. McCain made sure of that after riding out Hurricane Jean in a home they had in Hutchinson Island. “Might as well double down,” McCain says. He’s also had copper gutters installed – just one of many fine upgrades in this desirable residence.
Vital Statistics
Address: 1514 Ocean Drive.
Neighborhood: Village by the Sea
Year built: 2005
Home size: 3,100 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3.5
Additional features: 2-bay garage; built-in sound system; private elevator serves all three levels; custom millwork; Sub-Zero, Wolf and KitchenAid appliances; private deeded beach access; heated pool; gated entrance
Listing agency: Premier Estate Properties
Listing agent: Cindy O’ Dare, 772-713-5899
Listing price: $2,750,000
