As you pull into the driveway at 1115 Pegasus Pl. in Castaway Cove, it’s hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia at the sight of the splendid mid-century modern architecture, with its clean lines, open flowing spaces, indoor-outdoor living, functionality and loads of natural light.
“When I saw this house, it was a no-brainer,” says Dr. Abigail Ley, recalling when she and her husband Dagur Helgason decided to move to Vero Beach. “It was the house, but it was also the floorplan and neighborhood. It was just the whole package.”
Ley’s parents had built a house in South Beach with friends, so she had been visiting Vero Beach for years. Then she and her husband decided to move to the area.
When you step through the set of glass doors with sidelights into the airy, gallery-like foyer, you encounter a cathedral ceiling, a striking blue chandelier and walls begging for art.
Just off the foyer, a secondary primary suite is ideally situated for long-term guests, and to the right is a bedroom the family currently uses as a playroom that would work equally well as an office, art studio or fitness room.
Noting the home’s five bedrooms and open, flowing floorplan designed for entertaining, Berkshire Hathaway agent Cheryl Burge says, “This house would be excellent for a multi-generational family offering space and privacy for everyone.”
When the couple bought the property, they enclosed the atrium at the center of the house with a high ceiling, skylights and large glass windows that let light into the surrounding interior rooms and add to the sense of openness that pervades the home.
“It’s really the heart of the house,” says Burge. With rays of sunlight shining down, it’s hard not to be drawn into the atrium space where a large dining room table is situated.
All the family gathering areas flow around this bright and sunny enclave – the living room, recreation room, breakfast nook, family room and kitchen – adding to its flexibility for parties and other gatherings.
“I’m big on circulation, and so the fact that you can move literally in a circle around the house and get to every single space easily is a big deal to me,” says Ley.
Bar seating defines the kitchen, which features quartz counters, wood cabinetry and custom tiles. Stainless-steel double ovens, a cooktop and an island ensure the kitchen is functional and elegant, with a large walk-in pantry and an expanded laundry room with a butler’s pantry that opens to the garage.
The versatility of having two primary suites and the atrium and kitchen at the center of the house makes it “perfect for a family with children but also for a couple who have grown children and grandchildren who visit often,” continues Burge.
Across the rear of the house, the breakfast nook and family room are divided by a free-standing, two-sided, brick, wood-burning fireplace. This allows for uninterrupted flow from room to room and enhances a sense of openness through access to the pool.
The primary suite and two bedrooms with a shared bath are located on the right side of the house, away from the communal spaces, ensuring family privacy.
The spacious primary suite with room for a seating area opens onto the pool for easy, private access. In the bath, dual sinks and a shower with glass block complete the suite.
“I’m going to miss this house so much. It’s my favorite house I’ve ever lived in,” shares Ley.
Outside, the screen-enclosed pool and spa have plenty of space for dining undercover or lounging by the pool amidst the lushly-planted, fenced backyard, which adds to the secluded space available for entertaining. Tucked around the corner of the L-shaped lanai is a vintage tiki bar with a thatched roof. It’s the perfect spot for everything from popsicles to adult beverages, and Ley says they entertain guest there all the time.
“This neighborhood reminds me of the neighborhoods of the ’60s,” shares Burge of Castaway Cove, noting the demographics with a variety of ages from new families just starting to retirees.
With three young children, it was essential to the couple that their kids were able to play outside safely.
“The neighborhood is really kid friendly,” says Ley. “They run to other kids’ houses,” and can safely walk and roller skate around the neighborhood.
As a pediatric neurologist, Ley notes that children need to go outside, play and interact organically with other kids for optimal wellbeing. “To have that level of safety gives you what we had back when we were kids.”
Castaway Cove is located just south of the Alma Lee Loy Bridge. The sprawling, family-oriented neighborhood encompasses six sections and more than 400 homes situated between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. The guard-gated community includes river access for launching kayaks and canoes and deeded beach access.
Castaway Cove is convenient to mainland shopping and just a five-minute drive away from Vero’s Ocean Drive for shopping and dining and Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art for cultural outings. For families with children, Saint Edward’s School is just a few miles south on scenic Highway A1A.
Photos provided
