The 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 3,081-square-foot home at 801 N. Swim Club Dr. #3A in the River Club at Carlton is nestled among the oak trees at the end of the street overlooking a lake teeming with wildlife, something owners John and Arlene Capriola have come to look forward to.
“We see all kinds of new birds, and it’s very relaxing,” says Arlene.
The wraparound veranda of the condominium provides a perfect view of blue skies, oak trees, the lake and the parade of wildlife that roosts in the trees and hunts for food.
“You have views from every angle,” says Realtor Michelle Clarke, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty.
John discovered Vero Beach while traveling for work. While the Capriolas weren’t looking at the time, they never forgot the sleepy little town. He also admits that as a New Yorker, Vero’s history with the then-Brooklyn Dodgers was a bit of a draw.
The condo is accessed via a private elevator, which you can take from the two-car, air-conditioned garage. However, Arlene says they like to use the stairs to get in some exercise when they don’t have packages to bring up.
Guests enter the building through the lovely condo lobby. “With only six units per building, it’s quiet and private,” says Clarke.
The elevator opens into a private foyer; from there, double doors lead into the communal areas at the center of the home. The living, dining, family room and kitchen are all centrally located – a perfect layout for entertaining and as a functional division between the owner’s living space and guest suites.
“The floorplan lives like a house, and it’s extremely well-maintained,” says Clarke.
The primary suite is just off the foyer, with lake views via large windows and veranda access. A rear staircase allows for even more privacy when the owners want to come and go unnoticed.
Finishing off the primary suite, the elegantly appointed marble bathroom features a walk-in closet, soaking tub, shower, water closet with bidet, and dual sinks.
A private living room with tinted windows expands the primary suite’s footprint, allowing owners to enjoy some solitude when guests are in-house.
The kitchen is centrally located and can be accessed from three different points. With an island at its center and plenty of counter space with pass-thru openings on both sides, it’s the perfect setup whether you’re entertaining in the formal dining room or want to enjoy an intimate meal in the morning room.
Bar seating at the countertop also ensures everyone can dine nearby when you have larger gatherings, easily handled with the double oven, built-in desk, Sub-Zero refrigerator and cooktop.
The white cabinets against the granite counters are an elegant touch, tying the rooms together.
“It’s so light and bright. It has really good natural light,” notes Clarke of the indoor-outdoor access through the windows and doors and the Southern exposure.
Guests can sit in the family room on the opposite side of the kitchen, with views through the wall of glass that opens onto the veranda. With 10- to 12-foot ceilings, the rooms are open and airy.
The guest wing has two en suite bedrooms with private patios, a laundry room, a powder room and a staircase. It is easy to access the pool, tennis courts, clubhouse and a path that leads to public beach access just across A1A.
Electronic keys provide easy access to the building, elevator and air-conditioned, two-car garage with climate-controlled storage.
Concierge service, full-time maintenance and 24-hour-guard-gated security are just a few of the amenities that make the River Club at Carlton attractive.
“This is a very warm community. The people are very friendly here. It’s a nice, comfortable place,” shares Arlene, adding, “You know when a place is right for you.”
She continues, “The board is always very responsive to any of our questions or concerns. We’ve been very happy here.”
But now, with their three children scattered across the country and their grandkids grown, the couple plans to spend more time traveling to see them, so they won’t be able to spend as much time here.
“It’s time to give somebody else a chance,” says Arlene of their condo.
The River Club encompasses 120 acres of preserves, including a 14-acre lake nestled among oak hammocks. Situated among the natural environs, members have access to two clubhouses with full kitchens, two pools, two fitness centers and tennis courts. The riverside clubhouse offers suites members can reserve for guests, which the Capriolas have used when they have an overflow of visitors.
The River Club also has a launch area for kayaks and canoes. The community has easy access to a public beach to the east and the Historic Jungle Trail to the west for those who enjoy walking, biking and running immersed in nature.
Noting the gym in the clubhouse and pool just outside, the Riverside docks and kayak launch, the guest facilities and beach access, Clarke says, “You have everything needed in a single location.”
Photos provided
