Dr. Richard Rubenstein and Joanne Raffel discovered Vero Beach while living part-time in Melbourne. They were drawn to the little seaside town initially because of Riverside Theatre. With each visit, the couple became more enamored of the community and finally decided to move here about six years ago.
That’s when they discovered Bermuda Bay, where they purchased the three-bedroom, three-bath home at 104 Hidden Oak Dr., recalls Rubenstein.
“We fell in love with Vero Beach. It’s such a hidden treasure. This is where we love to be when we’re not at our home in Long Island,” he adds.
“Bermuda Bay is a lovely, quiet community. We love taking the dog for a walk and riding our bicycles. It’s isolated, yet we’re close enough to the beach to go for breakfast and a walk on the boardwalk.”
Noting that the house was “great” when they purchased it, Rubenstein says he and his wife made numerous improvements to make it even more comfortable, including a full-house generator, which means that Florida storms won’t leave the new owners in the dark.
You enter the home through a set of double doors, stepping into the grand entrance, which gives way to the formal living room with a gas fireplace and relaxing views of the pool.
Volume ceilings and the open layout are exceptionally welcoming, says Debbie Bell, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Realtor, who is offering the house for $1,050,000.
Adding a touch of elegance to the comfortable home, fine details are notable throughout the house, including ceiling features, crown molding, arches and alcoves that are both decorative and functional.
Just off the front entry, a wood-paneled den with a built-in desk and bathroom is perfectly situated adjacent to the owner’s suite. The en suite bathroom allows for the den to be used as a guest bedroom when extra visitors are on hand or as a private space to read or contemplate your blessings.
The entire rear wall of the owner’s suite is composed of sliding glass doors, making the already generous space feel even more extensive with the pool and picturesque garden views.
The sense of grand spaciousness continues into the opulent owner’s bathroom where dual sinks, a built-in vanity, jetted tub and walk-in shower ensure there’s plenty of room to move around without bumping into one another.
On the opposite side of the house, the dining room is off the front entrance and next to the island kitchen, breakfast nook, family room and bar.
Pocket doors are available to close the kitchen off from the more formal areas of the home when desired. The spacious kitchen overlooks the family areas, allowing the cook to stay connected while preparing dinner and entertaining guests.
Granite countertops and black appliances compliment the light-colored cabinets, creating a homey elegance.
“This house is full of life. It was built for entertaining,” says Bell, noting the full bar with wine cooler located just off the family room and kitchen with direct access to the summer kitchen.
There are two private guest rooms near the laundry room and two-car, air-conditioned garage.
The pool area is the focal point for most of the rooms in the house. The screen-enclosed space offers covered areas to get out of the sun or during inclement weather as well as sunny areas. The lush landscaping ensures privacy for lounging by the pool, dipping into the hot tub, or swimming laps in the gas-heated, saltwater pool with an extended lap lane.
“It’s an excellent outside space for entertaining. It’s great when the weather is good and you can open up the doors and get that fresh air coming in,” says Bell, pointing out the series of sliding glass doors in all of the communal living areas. They set the space up for optimal indoor/outdoor living as the two domains meld into one.
“Bermuda Bay is so close to town you can ride your bike to restaurants and stores,” says Bell, noting that the stately community has everything you need nearby without giving up the quiet beauty of an established Indian River Shores neighborhood.
Bermuda Bay is a guard-gated community located in the Town of Indian River Shores. Community amenities include a heated pool, tennis courts, clubhouse and deeded beach access. Just outside the gates of Bermuda Bay, the Indian River Shores Public Safety Department offers police, fire and emergency medical services; and the Village Shops and beach are only a short walk away. It’s only a few minutes’ drive to reach Ocean Drive shopping and dining, Riverside Park, Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
Vital Statistics
- Address: 104 Hidden Oak Dr.
- Neighborhood: Bermuda Bay
- Year built: 1998
- Construction: Concrete block with stucco
- Lot size: 100 feet by 150 feet
- Home size: 3,500 square feet
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 3
- Pool: Gas-heated saltwater swimming pool with lap lane and hot tub
- Additional features: Island kitchen; full bar with wine cooler; granite countertops; den; gas fireplace; jetted tub; laundry room; summer kitchen; water purification system; new irrigation; security system; accordion shutters; full house generator; air-conditioned, two-car garage; LeafGuard gutter system; clubhouse; community pool; beach access; tennis and fitness facility
- Listing agency: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty
- Listing agent: Debbie Bell, 772-473-7255
- Listing price: $1,050,000
