The West Indies-style residence at 425 Holly Road in Bethel by the Sea is a rare find. “It is a special opportunity for a ‘do-over,’ a chance for buyers who missed out on the market two years ago to step into a practically brand-new home without the headache of construction or the uncertainty of rising costs,” says Douglas Elliman broker associate Sally Daley.
“It’s like a really good used car with not a lot of miles on the engine,” Daley adds.
Built in 2023 by Lifestyle Homes, the property is flanked by two other brand-new homes and sheltered by a fabulous, mature oak canopy. It enjoys the best of both worlds – the “insurance” of updated neighborhood values and the charm of established landscaping, notes Daley.
Defined by a mature live oak that offers privacy and shade, the property has a distinct sense of seclusion. The owners capitalized on this by creating a screened front entry vestibule where they often enjoyed coffee in the mornings. It is a functional outdoor space protected by the trees, ensuring you don’t feel exposed to the street.
Inside, the home is a study in clean lines and flexibility. The aesthetic is contemporary but transitional, offering a neutral palette that serves as a canvas for a new owner’s furniture and art.
Double, glass-paned doors open into the great room at the center of the house, where the tray ceiling and built-ins showcase the fine fit and finishes seen throughout. The great room, dining room and kitchen coalesce to create a welcoming environment for entertaining, with glass sliders across the back that open onto the screened, covered porch, a second outdoor space that creates an easy indoor-outdoor flow.
A large island delineates the kitchen from the great room, serving as both a functional prep area and a clear spatial separation. The three-car garage and laundry room are adjacent to the kitchen, ensuring household efficiency and easy access.
The owners currently use the breakfast nook as a casual seating area. Corner windows create an inviting space to relax and chat. Nearby, the powder room functions as a convenient pool bath and serves overflow guests staying in the adjacent den – a space designed for high versatility, notes Daley.
The den can be used as an office, a fourth bedroom, an artist’s studio, a study room for the kids or even as a workout room.
The residence features a split floorplan layout that offers privacy to both owners and guests on opposite sides of the house.
To the right of the foyer is the primary suite, a sanctuary designed for aging in place, says Daley, noting that a caregiver or nanny could live in one of the two ensuite bedrooms on the opposite side of the house. The primary bedroom is spacious enough for a writing table or chaise lounge, with windows framing the pool. Double doors lead out to the pool deck, offering the opportunity for a quick morning swim without rousing the rest of the household.
Walk-in closets, an ensuite bath with a double shower and bench, high windows for natural light, and two separate water closets complete the thoughtful, well-appointed owner’s wing.
The screened lanai is the epitome of the Florida lifestyle with artistic pavers embedded with shells, a material that mimics shellstone but with a durability that resists the elements. The light color of the pavers draws the eye outward, making the expansive space feel even larger, notes Daley.
The pool features a sun shelf, ideal for lounging in the water, and is enclosed by a screen cage, maximizing year-round usability.
“You’ve got multiple living spaces outside,” says Daley. There is a covered seating area for watching TV and an open deck for sunning. The area is already stubbed for a summer kitchen, and the dense landscaping provides a high degree of privacy, making the backyard a secluded retreat.
The home boasts a 2023 concrete roof and a whole-house generator, both enviable features. The three-car garage, which Daley refers to as the “Florida basement,” offers ample storage with added cabinetry and a convenient bench just inside the laundry room.
The home is a “safe bet” for a buyer wanting new construction finishes without the HOA restrictions or the two-year wait, says Daley, adding, “It’s a giant do-over. A house mulligan.”
Bethel By the Sea is located just north of the Merrill P. Barber Bridge, convenient to mainland shopping and a short walk away from the beach and the Ocean Drive shopping district. Cultural offerings are nearby at Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Riverside Park.
The sprawling waterside park also offers a USTA run municipal tennis facility, exercise trail and a boat launch just south of the neighborhood. The City Marina and an off-leash dog park are a bike ride away.
Vital Statistics
425 HOLLY ROAD
Neighborhood: Bethel by the Sea
Year built: 2023
Construction: Concrete block
Lot Size: 90 feet by 125 feet
Home size: 2,438 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3 full baths and 1 half-bath
View: Pool and garden
Pool: Screened, heated swimming pool with sun-shelf
Additional features: Screened entry vestibule; tray ceiling with beams; built-ins; den; quartz countertops; island kitchen; shaker cabinets with upper glass inserts and lights; double walk-in frameless shower with bench; dual sinks; walk-in closets; laundry room; screened lanai; fenced backyard; impact resistant windows; three-car garage; and generator.
Listing agency: The Daley Group at Douglas Elliman
Listing agent: Broker associate Sally Daley, 772-538-4503
Listing price: $2,395,000
Photos provided
