While living in the British Virgin Islands, Ed and Barbara Pascoe heard about Vero Beach from their neighbor, Sandy Koufax, who was familiar with Vero from attending spring training here while pitching for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.
Years later, when the Pascoes decided it was time to find a summer place a little warmer than where they lived in Northern California, they recalled what the pitching great had told them.
After visiting Vero Beach, the couple decided to sell their California vineyard and make a permanent move here.
One look at the view from the open-concept living space with the river framed by floor-to-ceiling windows at 122 Springline Dr. in the Moorings and they were hooked, Ed says.
Sitting at the apex of a cove, the home is ideally placed to take in a wide views of the Intracoastal Waterway. And there’s no better place to watch the sunset.
“This particular lot has the best view on all of Springline,” claims Villa Realty Associates broker Chris Butler, who is the listing agent. “It’s in the perfect location, looking right out the channel.
You get the ‘wow’ factor as you walk through the door and see those long views through the glass all the way out to the Intracoastal.”
In addition to providing protection during storms, the cove is teeming with wildlife, says Butler.
“There’s an eddy here that attracts the fish, and the dolphins are incredible. We have a couple of pairs that feed in here and manatees that have come right up to the seawall,” Ed adds.
The couple painted, updated the electrical, replaced the roof, two of the air conditioners, the flooring and kitchen countertops.
Red bricks pave the way to the front entry, where a half wall creates a cozy, welcoming garden, one of the many outdoor spaces that extend the living space of the home.
As you step over the threshold into the vaulted living and dining room, skylights and a wall of sliders that open onto the patio reveal that long view of the Indian River Lagoon.
“One thing we really like about the house is that it’s so bright,” says Ed. “And the dining room is great when we have company. You can just open the doors” to let the outdoors in.
An artist’s loft with a sunset balcony overlooks the living room.
“This house was laid out beautifully,” says Ed, noting the two guest suites in the southern wing of the house, affording everyone plenty of privacy.
A two-car garage, laundry room and third bedroom, which the Pascoes use as an office, fill out the front of the northern wing of the house. The kitchen, breakfast nook and family room with a fireplace are conveniently located between the pool and grill area – optimal for entertaining.
The primary suite enjoys complete seclusion at the rear of the house, where the Pascoes can relax and enjoy private views of the river. A walk-in closet is located at the entrance to the updated bathroom, which now has a soaking tub, water closet, dual sinks and a walk-in shower.
In the kitchen, a farmer’s sink and seating at the island provide an ideal space for meal prep and extra storage space. High-end appliances, a wine cooler, a gas cooktop and a wet bar ensure entertaining can be handled with ease.
“This is a great house for entertaining,” says Butler.
All of the rooms open onto patio spaces, enhancing the home’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
Outside, the Pascoes replaced the irrigation system, put in a new drain system and gutters, re-stuccoed the back of the house, put in unpolished travertine around the pool, added new pool equipment, re-wired and re-landscaped, and put in 500 new plants, including orange, lime and mango trees and a triple palm.
“The outdoor area was worth the work we put into it. It kept us out of trouble during COVID,” adds Ed.
In the backyard, there’s room to play before heading down to the boat dock, where a 26,000-pound boat lift is at the ready along 155 feet of water frontage.
Initially, Ed and Barbara thought moving to the East Coast would mean seeing more of their grandchildren in the British Virgin Islands.
However, notes Ed, their grandchildren now spend their summers in California, so that’s where the couple wants to be. Their decision to head west was made with mixed emotions, admits Ed.
But once they get resettled in California, he says they hope to return to Vero for the season.
He says they have enjoyed their time in Vero Beach, but after visiting friends during crush [harvest season] this year, he felt drawn to the vine again, and they have purchased a small vineyard. They say they both need something to keep them busy.
As Moorings Property Owners Association members, residents have private beach access and patrolled security. The Moorings Yacht & Country Club offers a full slate of amenities, including a yacht club, Pete Dye’s signature golf course in the community, Jim Fazio’s Hawk’s Nest championship course on the mainland, a sprawling tennis center, croquet courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with pool and spa, as well as fine and casual dining.
The Moorings is a short drive away from shopping and dining in Vero’s seaside village. Nearby Riverside Theatre and Vero Beach Museum of Art offer world-class cultural outings. For families with children, Saint Edward’s School conveniently abuts the community.
Photos provided
