Throughout The Moorings, many fine homes are perched along the seawall, but the coral-colored castle at 231 Binnacle Point in the Anchor stands out as a showcase of grace and beauty.
The five-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot house with five full baths and one half-bath pays homage to Mediterranean living. Sited on its curved waterfront lot to take full advantage of the spectacular view of Compass Cove, it is perfect for entertaining.
The home has a pretty, pastel-hued stucco exterior, an open interior floorplan and high ceilings. Arched windows and doorways let breezes flow through the house from the numerous large outdoor verandas.
The owner, Missi Rothenberger, says she loves the challenge of breathing new life into homes. In addition to all of the houses she’s worked on for clients as a project manager for Randy Read Construction, Rothenberger has owned at least eight homes in The Moorings – some she redid for the sheer joy of it; others, like the Binnacle Point house, she lovingly remodeled to suit her own taste and lifestyle.
Rothenberger says she’s accomplished what she set out to do in the coral-colored castle and is ready for a new project – in The Moorings, of course. “I’m a tried and true Moorings girl,” she says. “It’s the perfect nest for me.”
From the street, the gracious home exudes elegance. “The house has an amazing presence both from the water and from the street,” says Moorings Realty Sales Co. listing agent Erika Ross.
Ross notes Rothenberger’s incredible sense of style and uncanny ability to renovate the properties in ways that bring out the best in them. “It could very well be more of a formal home, but that’s not what this house is. It’s casually elegant. You feel comfortable. It’s a very approachable house, both for a family or for a couple.”
The front entry opens to a central hallway that runs the length of the house. Several steps down is the formal living room with columns, a fireplace and a trio of arched doorways offering a view of the sparkling cove.
The northern wing of the house is where all the action takes place. Guests can pop into the powder room, head to the formal dining room, stop by the wet bar or head into the kitchen, which boasts an island, appliances that would make any chef smile and seating for the whole crew at the counter or the banquette.
“The kitchen is the home base. I love the kitchen because I love family. I know that when I’m in here, they’re all in here,” explains Rothenberger, noting the cozy family room off the kitchen with yet another fireplace and the sunny breakfast room with its Windsor ceiling, adding another space from which to enjoy the view of the river.
The laundry room and three-car garage are located off the kitchen, along with a grotto at the side of the house for private gatherings. A berm and foliage make this the perfect spot to sip wine by the fire pit in quiet contemplation.
The southern wing houses the guest quarters and a library fit for a ship’s captain. Floor-to-ceiling wood creates a rich environment, and a security closet means there’s a place to store valuables of all kinds.
Two generous guest suites can be reached via the hallway before stepping out onto the veranda to get to the guest house with its private patio.
The master suite occupies much of the second floor and can be accessed via elevator or staircase.
At the top of the stairs is a loft Rothenberger uses as an office and a fifth bedroom she uses as a sitting room.
The lavish master bedroom, which opens onto a private balcony with unencumbered views of the cove, is home to a third fireplace and offers a spa-like retreat with his and her walk-ins, built-ins, a glass shower, bidet, water closet and soaking tub with a view of the water below.
The veranda runs the entire length of the house and a private space is created off of each room with columns breaking up the spaces without interrupting the view.
Just a few steps down, the pool beckons with a long section for laps, a bench for lounging and a broad platform where the little ones can play. At its center, a fountain trickles, adding to the serene setting overlooking the deep-water dock and cove.
While Rothenberger may be ready for a new project, she’s not going very far. “There are so many lovely communities in Vero, but we went from one end to the other and knew The Moorings is where we wanted to be, and to this day I love it here.”
As a member of the Moorings Property Owners Association, residents have private beach access and gated security in the Anchor. Originally designed as a boating community, The Moorings Yacht & Country Club offers a wide range of amenities, including championship golf, tennis, fitness center activities, clubhouse events, and fine and casual dining, along with swimming, boating and yachting.
The Moorings is a short drive away from Vero’s Ocean Drive for shopping and dining. The nearby Riverside Theatre and Vero Beach Museum of Art offer world-class cultural outings. For families with children, Saint Edward’s School conveniently abuts the community.
Vital Statistics
- Address: 231 Binnacle Point
- Neighborhood: Anchor at the Moorings
- Year built: 1991
- Construction: Concrete block with stucco
- Architecture: Mediterranean
- Lot size: 143 feet by 171 feet
- Home size: 6,000 square feet
- Bedrooms: 5 • Bathrooms: 5 full baths and 1 half-bath
- Pool: Large swimming pool with fountain overlooking the water.
- View: 238-feet of water frontage
- Additional features: Storm shutters; gourmet kitchen; guest house; breakfast room; wet bar; three gas fireplaces; bidet; elevator; three-car garage; covered lanai and balcony; fire pit and deep-water dock
- Listing agency: The Moorings Realty Sales Co.
- Listing agent: Erika Ross, Realtor, 772-231-5131
- Listing price: $3,576,000
