More than a place to shelter the family from tropical winds and rain, the 3-bedroom, 4-bath, 3,308-square-foot courtyard home at 415 Indies Dr. in Orchid Island has been an oasis where family can gather.
The owners came to Vero Beach more than 20 years ago looking for “someplace with a small-town atmosphere that had the amenities of a bigger town,” recalls the owner. That’s how they ended up at Orchid Island.
After spending a year renting, they knew that the intimate, upscale golfing community was just the place they were looking for to spend some time away from harsh Pennsylvania winters.
They wanted to maintain their home up north so they could spend time with their children and grandchildren while having a place in sunny Florida that was big enough for everyone to visit.
Built by Zugelter Construction Corp., the house features a private courtyard designed as a place the family can gather. With the rest of the house wrapped around it, the central courtyard also lets light into the interior, making for a brighter home.
“We chose the courtyard because we really liked the concept of the privacy,” explains the owner. “We felt like it gave us an entire other room to the house. It really turned out to be true. Our kids were there every year at Thanksgiving and Easter. They spent the entire time in that heated pool in the courtyard. We didn’t have to worry about them getting out into the street. It was like adding another big room to your house. It was ideal.”
At the apex of the circle driveway, two large doors open into the courtyard, which integrates the outdoor space with the public spaces in the home.
The floorplan creates multiple outdoor refuges with the cabana guesthouse located at the front of the house with a private entry near the front door and another onto the pool deck. Guests can sneak off to the cabana or mingle with others poolside.
“Not only is it beautifully maintained but the floorplan and outdoor area are great for entertaining,” says Matilde Sorensen, broker-owner, Dale Sorensen Real Estate, who has the home listed for $950,000.
Elegantly appointed accents complement the British West Indies-style architecture, with crown molding, high ceilings, transoms, French doors and tile flooring throughout.
The main house is only one-room deep, making it optimal for parties with all the principal rooms opening to the outdoors. A generous master suite is located at the southern end of the house with walk-in closets and a spa-like bathroom.
The island kitchen was recently remodeled with gray quartz and white, custom cabinets accented with silver hardware. The spacious room opens to a breakfast nook sits adjacent to the formal dining room and overlooks the nature preservation area that serves as a buffer between the river and the house.
On the opposite side of the house, the den has a full bath allowing for extra room for the grandchildren when they come to visit. A guest suite near the door that leads out to the three-car garage allows for discreet egress.
The lushly landscaped property is shaded by mature live oaks. At the rear of the house, a screened lanai overlooks the preserve where an abundance of wildlife flourishes. In addition to all the birds and fish, the owner says they often see a bobcat making its way across the yard as the sun begins to rise.
A big selling point when the owners decided to buy the house was the golf club, but it’s the collegial community that they’ll miss the most. They’ve been happy in their home over the years and have grown to love the Orchid Island community.
As their grandchildren have gotten older, though, it’s gotten harder to get everyone together and the couple is looking for a smaller, turnkey place to call home when they visit Vero Beach. “It’s been wonderful living in Orchid Island. It’s a small enough community that you know lots of people.”
“This ideal courtyard home is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the perfect Florida lifestyle,” says Sorensen.
Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club is a private resort community located just north of Vero Beach with easy access to Melbourne, Sebastian and Vero. Orchid Island is ideally situated between two environmental havens: the Pelican Island Wildlife Sanctuary and the Environmental Learning Center. It’s just minutes from shopping and restaurants on Ocean Drive, Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
In addition to the 18-hole championship golf course, Orchid Island offers a wide variety of amenities, including a magnificent beach clubhouse, golf clubhouse and tennis/fitness center. The beach club offers private beach access, dining, pool and cabanas. The tennis center includes eight Har-Tru courts.
Vital Statistics
- Address: 415 Indies Dr.
- Neighborhood: Orchid Island
- Architecture: British West Indies
- Year built: 1999
- Construction: Concrete block with stucco
- Lot size: 102 feet by 195 feet
- Home size: 3,308 square feet
- Bedrooms: 3 – Bathrooms: 4
- Pool: Freeform heated pool and spa
- Additional features: Detached cabana suite; French doors; jetted tub; den; island kitchen; wine rack; ice machine; breakfast nook; laundry room; private courtyard; three-car garage; screened lanai; circle drive and shutters
- Listing agency: Dale Sorensen Real Estate
- Listing agent: Broker-Owner Matilde Sorensen, 772-532-0010
- Listing price: $950,000
