“Marbrisa is the best-kept secret [in Vero Beach],” says Nancy Jones, co-listing agent with Debbie Bell, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Realty. “This is a wonderful house in a wonderful neighborhood.”
Jim and Helen Crockett had the home at 81 Passage Island in Marbrisa built 21 years ago. “Our street was nearly empty,” recalls Helen. But now, she continues, the community “has everything you could ever want without being so massively huge.”
Both the rear and western wing of the two-story lakefront home offer water vistas. “The house has lots and lots of windows. The lot was so gorgeous, and we wanted to take advantage of the water views. We have water to the side; we have water to the back. We took advantage of all of those views with the way we placed the house,” says Helen, adding that nearly every room has a beautiful view.
“This is an elegant, grand lakefront home,” says Bell. “The high ceilings and windows from floor to ceiling showcase the stunning vista along with the inviting outdoor living space.”
Mature oaks cast shade on the circle drive at the front of the house with a small path leading to the portico. There a pair of glass doors and huge, arched transom window seem to invite you in along with the beautiful, Florida sunshine.
The first thing a visitor sees when stepping through the double front doors is a spectacular wall of windows at the rear of the formal living area. The curved glass wall of doors and plate glass windows goes all the way up to the double-height ceiling, opening this grand and glorious space up to lovely water views and abundant, unfiltered light. Arches, columns and other architectural features add atmosphere and texture to the room.
The formal dining room with built-ins is situated just off the entryway. Further down the hall, the garage and laundry room are situated near the kitchen for direct access with groceries and cleanups.
The recently updated modern, island kitchen is elegant and serviceable. White, quartz countertops and glass-tile backsplash complement the high-end, stainless-steel appliances. With two 30-inch Bosch gas stoves, which include 10 burners and two huge ovens, no guest list is insurmountable, especially with the warmer oven and KitchenAid refrigerator.
A large, plate-glass window off the breakfast nook allows light to flow through to the kitchen and family room, which opens onto the lanai.
Helen says she loves the house, because “it’s just so livable. There are 19 closets. There’s a place for everything, and it’s easy to get around in.”
Downstairs, the northern wing houses three en suite bedrooms. The Crocketts use the front bedroom as a home office. Just down the hall, the bathroom in the third bedroom doubles as the pool bath with a door leading onto the lanai.
The master suite encompasses the entire upper level. Reached via an elegant, marble staircase off the front entry, it is a haven where the homeowners enjoy complete privacy. Three closets – one for luggage, one for holiday decorations and one for ironing – share the second-floor landing along with a workout room. The space has large windows with water views, so you can embrace the great outdoors even when you are working out inside.
A wide veranda-like, private balcony runs nearly the full length of the second story. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning as the day begins to dawn. Later in the day, it is a beautiful place to grab a few rays or take in the spectacular sunset.
The recently updated, posh marble bathroom gains light and a beautiful view without giving up privacy with a transom window. A soaking tub sits at the center of the room. Behind the tub is a marble half wall with frosted glass that hides the generous shower, which can be accessed from either side of the tub.
The pool can be reached through most rooms on the first floor, enhancing the indoor-outdoor connection. There is an ample lanai, covered for relaxing in the shade and staying dry in inclement weather. Water flows from the fountain into the freeform pool, adding a perpetual water-on-water experience – complementary to the lake view – which blends with the environment.
A tree-covered promontory juts out into the lake and provides an idyllic spot to sit and watch the sunset or to play hide-and-go-seek with the little ones.
Marbrisa is a private, ocean-to-river, gated community with 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, sauna, Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball courts, a screened pool 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: 81 Passage Island
- Neighborhood: Marbrisa
- Year built: 1998
- Construction: Concrete block
- Lot size: 113 feet by 147 feet
- Home size: 4,624-square feet
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 4
- Pool: Freeform swimming pool with fountain
- View: Lakefront vista
- Additional features: Gated entry; cook’s kitchen; high-end appliances; granite countertops; custom cabinets; wine cooler; bar; soaking tub; water closet; marble and porcelain flooring throughout; fitness room; laundry room; two-car garage; balcony; outdoor shower; pool bath
- Listing agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty
- Listing agent: Debbie Bell and Nancy Jones, 772-473-7255
- Listing price: $1,195,000
