Front-row-center seats for spectacular Florida sunsets across the storied Indian River Lagoon are yours in this grand riverfront estate: A truly special home, 143 Anchor Drive occupies one of the most desirable locations in The Anchor, an exclusive enclave within The Moorings, which is widely recognized as a premier boating, golf and tennis country club community on Vero’s barrier island.
This palatial home sits at the end of a broad, circular paver drive and parking court, its meticulously maintained grounds and swaths of verdant lawn punctuated with graceful palms.
Past a walled, private courtyard, you’ll step through French doors into an entry vestibule, then into the wide airy foyer, washed with ambient light through banks of windows. From there, enter the light-filled heart of the home.
Here, as throughout this masterwork of interior design, the ceiling is a soaring example of millwork art – pale planks washed with white, configured into beautiful adaptations of cathedral and vaulted styles. Everywhere, lofty ceilings, sand-hued floors and an abundance of glass doors and tall windows enhance the natural light that fills the home.
Beneath the grand, soaring ceiling, the living area and formal dining area are separated by a long, low planter wall, the lush greenery echoing that of the palms and shrubs around the 70-foot lap pool and patio just beyond, visible and accessible through a wall-to-wall bank of glass doors.
When all the doors are open, the outdoors and indoors flow as one and the opportunities for entertaining are limitless, encompassing all of the home’s interior and outdoor living spaces, and extending across the broad swath of lawn toward the private dock.
A sophisticated stand-out in the living room area is the sleek white marble fireplace – a gold-framed rectangle atop a raised hearth – the handsome marble surround reaching to the ceiling.
Glass patio doors provide a stunning view of the artfully landscaped pool/patio framed by graceful palms; across a green flowered hedge; then west across the broad, sparkling river.
Another eye-catching feature in this exceptional space are a pair of large stand-alone mirror walls at either end of the dining area, which extend the beauty of the interior many-fold and reflect the river view.
The open U-configured kitchen features clean lines, white cabinetry, dove gray countertops, and a 4-stool breakfast bar. Both recessed and track lighting supplement the abundant natural light. With plenty of room adjacent to the breakfast bar, 3-section sliders offer another meal-with-a-great-river-view opportunity.
Off the main living/dining area is a flexible space that can be configured as an office, study, work-out room, art studio or den.
The first of the three first-floor guest bedrooms (all carpeted and with ceiling fans) offers a slider wall with custom built-ins and wet bar, as well as a full bath and closet. The second sports a whitewashed wood panel tray ceiling, walk-in closet, full bath and its own cozy private courtyard, accessed through glass sliders, leading to the pool and patio.
With the same handsome ceiling, the third guest bedroom offers sliders, a river view (for which you don’t even have to get out of bed), an en suite bathroom and walk-in closet.
An impressive white, open-tread circular staircase leads up to the owner’s suite. Escape and unwind in this sumptuous haven of privacy and relaxation, which dominates the second level. Here you can enjoy your own private wraparound balcony, a tempting space where you’ll spend your morning with a steaming cup of coffee and the news (if you dare); take a midday break to catch breezes off the water, check e-mails, grab a quick catnap or spend a few minutes on the yoga mat; and certainly relax at the sunset hour, unwinding from the day with a glass of wine and the inimitable view.
Waterbirds gliding homeward or bottlenose dolphins splashing in the lagoon could easily be part of this tranquil picture on any given evening. As night falls, linger for some spectacular stargazing.
This divine sanctuary boasts a vast, “celebrity-sized” walk-in closet (even the most extravagant shoe collection might feel lost).
And then there’s the owner’s bathroom – you’ve just got to see it. It has the same lofty ceiling, gleaming sand/gold floor tiles, a wide window panel, a ceiling fan, and floor-to-ceiling mirror walls that make it appear endless.
Warm wood cabinetry with creamy countertops and matching “baseboards,” marquis light strips above the basins; a walk-in shower; water closet; and, within a 3-stair marble surround, a quite spectacular, spa-like, jetted chocolate brown tub. Imagine a long, luxurious soak, candlelight, a glass of wine, soft music and a mystery novel!
Anchor Drive is close to the tennis courts, and you can hop in your golf cart and be at The Moorings Yacht and Club or at the beach in moments. The Moorings is right next door to St. Edward’s School and just a short drive away from Ocean Drive in Vero’s storied Village by the Sea, with its wealth of boutiques, shops, pubs, restaurants and resorts; as well as Riverside Park, home of Riverside Theatre (Equity), and the Vero Beach Museum of Art.