Life is a pleasure “under the Florida sun” in this 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath, Tuscan-style home at 701 Marbrisa River Lane in Marbrisa.
The lane meanders through the quiet neighborhood, wending its way between mature, moss-draped oak trees and over a lovely, red bridge. When it seems as if you can drive no further, you’ve arrived at the two-story, riverfront home.
A balconette overlooks the circle drive, adding a romantic flair so that you start to fall a little bit in love with the house before even crossing the threshold. Once inside the two-story foyer, the view nudges you the rest of the way in.
While this home is filled with fine finishes, including coffered ceilings, double-crown molding, marble floors, custom cabinets and built-ins, comfort as well as elegance permeates throughout. Impact windows and shutters add security during stormy weather; and with concrete block interior walls, the home is a veritable fortress. Transoms and French doors opening to the patio ensure the rich, dark wood doesn’t overwhelm the interior.
Following the marble corridor from the foyer, you come to an office that sits just off the entry and then the master suite, isolated from the rest of the home, ensuring complete privacy.
The generous bedroom overlooks the pool and river with access to the patio.
The en suite bathroom complements the elegance of the master suite with his and her walk-in closets, a water closet, dual sinks and the central feature – a garden tub set in an alcove. As you soak in the luxurious tub, you can admire a hand-painted mural that hints at a romantic Italian escape.
The hub of the home is entertainment central. The open-plan space consists of a living room, dining room, kitchen and a bar, and allows the flexibility to have one large, interflowing environment or several intimate areas – all with a shared view of the river.
The gourmet kitchen is perfectly equipped for festive gatherings with a gas stove, SubZero refrigerator and island, allowing for dinner prep and relaxed conversation. Granite countertops enhance the effect of the rich, dark-wood custom cabinets. Nearby a cozy spot allows for breakfast to be served with a view to start your day off right.
The southern wing includes the laundry room, a guest suite, access to the three-car garage via an interior breezeway, and a staircase leading to the second-floor guest bedrooms with a shared bath and balcony,
Heading out to the patio through one of the many sets of French doors, several seating areas allow for comfortable clusters to sip wine while watching the sunset, sunbathing, taking a dip in the hot tub or dining al fresco. A swim in the pool with two tile turtles adds a bit of fun, and an outside shower ensures sandy feet don’t track a mess into the house.
Because the house overlooks the Jungle Trail from a raised elevation, you get the best of both worlds – access to the historic shell road perfect for biking, walking, running and nature watching – without impeding the view from your private perch.
Privacy for guests is at a premium with separate quarters, whether they’re upstairs or in the poolside cabana. The generous cabana space is perfect for long-term guests, as a studio, office or teen hangout.
“It’s such an easy house to live in, and they use every bit of it,” says Kathy Nystrom, a Coldwell Banker Paradise agent co-listing the house with Andrew Gonzalez. “The flow and the practicality of the home make it perfect for entertaining.”
The owners were looking for a community with access to a boat slip when they discovered Marbrisa. “We’ve loved living there. The views are incredible from almost every room.”
With the home just a stone’s throw from the small community marina and access to the Jungle Trail, the owners will miss their lazy days overlooking the river, but their business requires they spend more time in Maryland than expected. Not willing to let their connection to Vero Beach go so easily, the couple plans to find something smaller so they can continue to pop down when time allows.
“This view is really the crown jewel,” says Gonzalez as he points toward the river. “You get to see the most amazing sunset every night.”
And if that’s not enough, Nystrom adds, “the community is just like the home – it’s comfortably elegant. There’s an eclectic mix of ages and people from different countries, and everybody is neighborly and down to earth. There’s always something going on – water aerobics, movies, bridge and holiday parties.”
Marbrisa is a private, ocean-to-river gated community bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Jungle Trail and Indian River Lagoon to the west. Two clubhouses provide all the amenities you could ask for. An exercise-fitness room, Har-Tru tennis courts, screened pool, pickleball and day docks can be found at the west clubhouse. Across the road, the oceanfront clubhouse offers granted beach access, a pool and kitchen.
Vital Statistics
- Address: 701 Marbrisa River Lane
- Neighborhood: Marbrisa
- Year built: 1999
- Construction: Concrete block with stucco
- Architecture: Tuscan
- Lot size: 125 feet by 150 feet
- Home size: 4,000 square feet
- Bedrooms: 5
- Bathrooms: 4 full, 1 half-bath
- Pool: Heated swimming pool
- View: River views
- Additional features: Gated entry, chef’s kitchen; custom cabinets; wood and marble flooring; surround sound; granite countertops; bar; impact glass and shutters; office; three-car garage; guest cabana; swimming pool; hot tub, and outdoor shower
- Listing agency: Coldwell Banker Paradise
- Listing agents: Andrew Gonzalez and Kathy Nystrom, 772-633-7512 and 772-559-1148
- Listing price: $1,800,000
