It was the prospect of life on the river that first attracted the Williams family to their longtime home at 110 Estuary Circle in The Shores subdivision. For them it was a front-row seat to the beauty and wonder that only the diverse Indian River Lagoon could offer.

The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath house is ideally situated on a mangrove-protected point between Gem Island and Pine Island, in an area of the Lagoon dotted with spoil islands awaiting exploration.

“My parents always wanted to live on the river. When they walked into this house and saw the beautiful water, they fell in love with it,” says Catherine Sullivan.

“We called my mother Snow White,” she adds, fondling recalling the menagerie of creatures that came to visit her mother on a daily basis. There was the otter that took a dip in the pool every morning, the pelican that perched on the dock to eat his breakfast and a manatee that cruised by for regular visits.

“The animals were as much a part of the experience as anything else. My mother loved animals, nature and the environment. She loved to be surrounded by it,” says Sullivan of the unique habitat around the 4,072-square-foot home.

“There aren’t that many riverfront properties available,” says Realtor Mary Frances Driscoll, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty. “This really is a very unique home. The views are incredible, and the house has beautiful light with an expansive long view from the second story.”

The two-story contemporary house designed by Clemens Bruns Schaub Architect & Associates displays a simple symmetry amid the lush vegetation. A circular driveway draws the eye to the central porch. Columns frame the entryway while single-car garages on either side balance the design.

The U-shaped design is built around a swimming pool overlooking the river. The indoor-outdoor connection is optimized with expansive windows and glass doors opening the house to the lanai. The porches, open architecture and abundance of glass are ideal to maximize the pleasures of life on the river.

The house has two parallel wings with a formal living room at the center. On the first floor, one wing houses the master suite and guest bedroom while the other features the kitchen and other communal areas. The main entrance is at the core of the house, where a tower-like structure connects both wings via a central hall.

“The house was set up perfectly,” according to Sullivan. The division of space allowed for large gatherings and quiet, contemplative spaces. With numerous entries into the house, children could come and go at will while the adults enjoyed more intimate setting off the beaten path. “It just lived really well.”

Hopper windows are a unique feature throughout the house. Placed at the bottom of a larger window as venting transoms, the hinged glass panels allow for river breezes to enter, cooling off the house while also providing an outlet for hot air.

Beautiful light oak floors on the bottom level add to the understated elegance and open floor plan. Just one-room deep in most places, the formal living area features a wall of windows framing uninterrupted river views.

“There is so much glass, you never feel like you are inside. Mom would open up all the windows and doors. It was like living outside. We just ran in and out all day long,” recalls Sullivan.

The north wing includes access to the garage, a generous dining room, cook’s kitchen, breakfast nook, family room and screened-in porch. Access points throughout this area of the house allow for indoor-outdoor entertaining.

The kitchen includes a large island at its center for prep work, a wet bar and separate entry to the dining room. The clean lines of the white cabinetry are enhanced with inlaid tile over the wet bar and in front of the kitchen sink – adding a splash of color to the pristine room.

The opposite side of the house includes access to the second garage, laundry room, pool/guest bath, guest room and the master suite. The master bedroom features a walk-in closet and direct access to the pool area. The bath includes dual vanities, a water closet, bidet, Jacuzzi tub and a walk-in shower.

The upper floor is accessed via a staircase at the center of the house and includes two bedrooms and a shared bath. The bedroom at the front of the house has a private balcony overlooking the community lake and stone bridge. At the rear of the house, the second bedroom is currently set up as an office with built-in desk and a view of the river from the private balcony that is likely to distract even the most diligent worker.

A private dock carves its way through the mangroves providing access to the river. The proximity of several spoil islands provides a secret sanctuary to explore via kayak.

With a wistful sigh, Sullivan recalls volleyball games in the pool, putting contests on the back lawn, tennis competitions on the court next door, fishing off the dock and kayaking. “The kids were raised in that yard. I have so many happy memories there. To my family, it was a magical place.”

Old Florida charm permeates The Shores. A road made of pavers wends its way through a forest of moss-covered live oaks around the 10-acre lake central to the quiet community. The serene setting is located just north of John’s Island and adjacent to the Historic Jungle Trail, which is perfect for running, walking and biking. The community’s private tennis and pickleball courts, along with the public beach access nearby, provide a variety of outdoor opportunities.

The property’s proximity to nature and outdoor activities are a bonus, according to Realtor Claudia Johnson, also with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty. “Being right off of Old Winter Beach Road and the Jungle Trail for people who love to bike or walk and look at nature along the water’s edge, that’s a real plus.”

The Shores is centrally located between the seaside town of Vero Beach and Sebastian’s river-based community. It’s just a short drive south to The Village Shops, Ocean Drive for shopping and dining, Riverside Park, Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and a short drive north to the Environmental Learning Center and Sebastian Inlet, famous for its great fishing.

Vital Statistics

Address: 110 Estuary Circle
Neighborhood: The Shores
Year built: 1990
Lot Size: 70’x183’ – Home size: Approximately 4,072 square feet
Construction: Concrete block, with stucco
Bedrooms: 4 – Bathrooms: 3 full baths and 1 half-bath
Additional features: Guard-gated, tennis and pickle ball courts, riverfront, sports pool, first-floor master suite, jetted tub, bidet, storm shutters, wet bar, wine refrigerator, hardwood floors, dock and two garages.
Listing agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty
Listing agents: Mary Frances Driscoll, 772-766-5942, and Claudia Johnson, 772-473-4345
Listing price: $2,250,000