Jeffrey and Debbye Mack traded one tropical paradise for another when they moved to Vero Beach from the Caribbean. They were attracted to the home at 2241 W. Ocean Oaks Circle because it had the feel of the West Indies with a bit of a French countryside flair, something the couple had become accustomed to during their time in the Caribbean, says Debbye.
“This French Caribbean-style home is in a wonderful spot,” says Dale Sorensen Real Estate Broker-Owner Matilde Sorensen. “The private little enclave is very unusual.”
The Macks spent weekends in Florida looking for the perfect place to settle when they were ready to leave Trinidad. After scouring southern coastal towns, they knew right away that Vero Beach was where they would be happy.
“It was so quiet, and there weren’t any high-rises. That, along with the museum, theater and golf courses, drew us to the town as well,” recalls Debbye.
Surrounded by a nature preserve, the approach to the house is made via a long drive lined with palm trees. It’s easy to forget about the outside world in the lush surroundings. The idyllic setting is perfectly suited for the tranquil home.
A pair of large wooden doors opens into the formal living room, wet bar and dining room at the center of the house.
The tropical estate is superbly appointed with Egg and Dart crown molding around the sandstone-faced gas fireplace, dentil molding, crown molding, deep baseboards, wood flooring and French doors in every room in the home, which is optimal for indoor-outdoor living.
Debbye notes the French doors allow for “wonderful natural light throughout the house.”
An office, laundry room, powder room and the owner’s suite are all located in the southern wing of the house. A doorway opens from the laundry room into the walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom, making it convenient to manage the household and change for dinner.
The owner’s bathroom is resplendent with a large shower, dual sinks, jetted tub and water closet just off the spacious bedroom with views of the pool and nature preserve.
A family room abuts the kitchen, morning breakfast room and door to the garage on the opposite side of the house. The well-appointed kitchen with a large oak island and Jerusalem stone countertops makes it easy to entertain. Pocket doors enable you to close off the kitchen when entertaining on a large scale.
“The house performs beautifully if you like to entertain. It’s a great house,” notes Debbye.
Three en-suite guestrooms and a sitting area can be reached via the kitchen staircase.
Once upstairs, you can enjoy a glass of wine from the second-floor balcony and watch the birds as they come home to roost with spectacular sunsets as the backdrop to the west.
Three Juliet balconies offer lovely views from the eastern side of the house from the sitting area and one of the bedrooms.
Back downstairs, a screened patio allows for outdoor dining even on the buggiest nights. With the plethora of French doors throughout the house, you can open them and let the breezes from the river and the ocean flow through.
A large deck surrounds the pool, so there’s plenty of space to soak up the sun. The gazebo at the back of the pool deck is a lovely spot to entertain. The gas fireplace creates a cozy ambiance during the winter months.
With deeded beach access through Ocean Oaks East, it’s an easy walk to the picturesque community’s private beach. Accretion has created a wide swath of sand where Debbye enjoys walking the couple’s dog.
“I can walk for an hour, and I’m lucky if I see 10 people. It’s a very quiet stretch of wide beach. The other day I saw five fresh tracks from turtles that had come up to lay their eggs. That’s always a treat,” marvels Debbye.
The house is surrounded by nature, tucked away along the riverside of Ocean Oaks West. There are several other protected areas nearby, allowing for a variety of outdoor activities amid the natural woods and open space.
Round Island Beach and Riverside Park offer additional beach access with lifeguards and facilities. Across the road, the Round Island Riverside Park has trails and boat ramps. It’s a spot where people can hike, kayak and fish. Debbye says it’s where everyone goes to watch the manatees.
Further south is Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area with boardwalks and a parking area so you can watch birds, alligators and other wildlife, adds Debbye, noting how much they enjoy being able to walk to these natural treasures.
Ocean Oaks West is a small, gated community of only 20 homes located on the river side of A1A with granted beach access through Ocean Oaks East. Just a mile south of the Moorings and close to Round Island Park, the neighborhood is situated in close proximity to Vero Beach and Fort Pierce. You can make your way to Ocean Drive shopping, dining and cultural venues within a few minutes.
Photos provided
