If the $1.65 million list price for famed entertainer Arlo Guthrie’s Sebastian home seems steep for a riverfront house in Sebastian, there is a good reason why.
Besides the 5,187-square-foot house on a one-acre lot at 13690 N. Indian River Dr., the for-sale property includes 2 acres of prime development land where four estate homes or a 16-unit multifamily dwelling could be built.
In fact, when Guthrie selected Janyne Kenworthy of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty as his agent, his intent was to off-load the 2-acre parcel to a developer and continue living in his sprawling waterside home. But that proved more challenging than anticipated.
“A lot of people have the dream but not the means,” Kenworthy said of potential buyers who surfaced. She fielded a number of development inquires but no one was able to get to the negotiating table.
So, Guthrie – and Kenworthy – have now changed their strategy and are selling the entire nearly 3-acre estate, house included.
“He would have stayed in his home,” if a qualified buyer had snapped up the development parcel, Kenworthy said.
Guthrie and his wife purchased the property – which once was a U.S. Coast Guard station and later a crab house – more than three decades ago with the intent of building.
“Our focus was to keep the historic footprint intact,” Guthrie told Vero Beach 32963 via email. “From the street it looks virtually the same as it did when it was originally built by the Coast Guard in the 1930s.”
“It’s a labor of love,” Kenworthy said.
It took the couple a while to get around to building their dream home and then they were hit by hurricanes during construction. The house was not completed until 2010.
The Guthries moved in but, sadly, Jackie Guthrie passed away in 2012.
Kenworthy said Guthrie will miss the house, even though he has not been able to spend as much time there as he’d like. The musician is often away on tours.
Guthrie said touring and work keep him away about nine months of the year.
“The plain truth is that things have changed since my wife Jackie passed away in 2012,” Guthrie said in an email. “When we began working on this home, we were a young family. But the kids all have kids of their own now. Sometimes you just have to let go. This is one of those times.”
Now that the house is also up for sale along with the development property, Kenworthy has shifted gears a bit in terms of handling would-be buyers.
“There’s a level of protectionism,” she said. Only pre-qualified and screened buyers are permitted to tour the house – those who have shown a sincere interest in buying and have the ability to close. The process helps to screen out the lookie-loos, those only interested in seeing Guthrie’s home.
Kenworthy had been in touch with Guthrie’s current partner, Marti Ladd, some years ago regarding an unrelated matter, she said. She’s not sure why Ladd and Guthrie chose her to handle the sale of the estate, but she said she’s honored to have the opportunity.
“We got each other,” she said, “as personalities go.” She said the three of them have forged a good team, working together to sell the property.
“They’ve just been delightful,” Kenworthy said.
When at home in Sebastian, Guthrie often grabbed a camera and sat along the riverbank, waiting for the perfect shot. Kenworthy recounted one such spectacular photo – that of a bald eagle stealing a fish from an osprey.
The house’s location, right on the water with expansive views of the Indian River Lagoon is just one of its many selling points.
The two-story home has two master suites on the second floor, both with private riverfront decks. There’s a riverfront saltwater pool, a 3-car garage with room for a 45-foot motor coach, and the option to install a deep-water dock.
“It’s just paradise,” Kenworthy said.
Guthrie plans to move in with Marti Ladd, who has a lovely home in Micco, he said. He also has a retreat in Massachusetts where he will likely spend time.
For more information about this exceptional riverfront property, visit www.sothebysrealty.com and search Sanctuary on the River. Or give Kenworthy a call at 772-696-5110.
