In the quiet, oak-canopied heart of Central Beach, the home at 416 Conn Way defies the standard “flip” mentality. It is a meticulously refined retreat that offers thoughtful connection and seclusion.
Diane Zook relocated from Florida’s West Coast to escape the overtaxed infrastructure of Naples and Marco Island.
“I was naive when I first came over, not knowing the expanse of the island,” the owner admits. “I am so grateful I ended up in Central Beach. It’s quiet, laid-back, and most everyone here is full-time. It doesn’t have that constant rotation or commotion.”
Zook completed a top-to-bottom renovation between 2023 and 2024, which resulted in a home that feels brand new.
From the visible improvements, like high ceilings and the continuous luxury vinyl plank flooring that flows seamlessly through every room, to structural upgrades such as impact glass and a finished attic, no detail was spared.
“Most owners wouldn’t think twice about it, but she was adamant about getting everything right,” notes AMAC Alex MacWilliam agent Cheryl Gerstner, who is co-listing the home with AMAC agent with Kit Fields.
“The location is superb, and it’s move-in ready,” adds Gerstner.
A sweeping circular driveway curves around a center island with a cluster of live oaks, offering an invitation for guests to drop in and sit on the broad front porch, where you can watch the world go by and enjoy your morning coffee.
Inside, sun-drenched rooms with clean lines and understated features offer a blend of sophisticated/casual and private/connected living.
From the foyer, you can access the den, a space designed for flexibility that can easily serve as extra space for guests or as your private retreat. With built-ins and a window seat, the room strikes just the right note for a range of uses.
Across the hall, the laundry room and a full bath serve as a buffer between the main living areas and the two guest rooms, creating a quiet zone for visitors.
The kitchen, living room, powder room and casual dining area form a harmonious gathering space where the boundaries between culinary prep and casual lounging dissolve. Lighting fixtures and ceiling features define the spaces, and this layout allows guests to drift from the oversized kitchen island to seating by the fireplace.
The living area overlooks the screened pool deck, where the distinction between inside and out vanishes. When the glass doors are thrown wide – folding back a full 180 degrees – the home effectively expands by another 1,000 square feet, creating an open-air pavilion that offers an effortless island lifestyle enriched by environmental harmony.
The kitchen emits a quiet, coastal warmth, anchored by shiplap accents and distressed wood. The kitchen island is perfect for family gatherings or casual entertaining.
The kitchen is a very happy room and one of the owner’s favorite spaces, she says. “It’s bittersweet to leave it,” she adds.
The primary suite enjoys complete autonomy at the rear of the house. This lovely sanctuary has two walk-in closets, direct access to the pool, and a bath with dual sinks, a built-in vanity, a water closet and a shower.
Outside, the property transforms into a private oasis, complete with a Zen garden, screened pool area, cozy fire pit and potting shed. Gated side areas with pavers provide ample room for RV, boat or jet ski parking.
The freeform, heated saltwater pool, complete with a shallow sun shelf for lounging, is flanked by generous covered dining and seating areas that make the deck into a true outdoor living area.
Connecting the main residence to the detached, two-car garage is a covered breezeway that provides shelter from rain and summer sun. From the breezeway, a path leads to the fire pit, garden and potting shed.
Gerstner says the property’s unique “through-lot” design is a significant draw. Stretching from Conn Way to the quiet street behind it, the home offers dual access and an uncommon sense of space.
Walking into the backyard feels like you’re stepping into a botanical enclave. It is a space designed for quiet reflection, where the curated landscape feels more like a natural refuge than a suburban yard.
The layout of the garden is a thoughtful arrangement of pockets rather than a single open space. At its heart stands a large oak tree with sprawling limbs providing a living canopy.
Located in Bethel by the Sea, a neighborhood in Central Beach, the home is located just north of the Merrill P. Barber Bridge, convenient to mainland shopping and is a short walk away from the beach and the Ocean Drive shopping and dining district. You can enjoy cultural offerings at Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Riverside Park offers a tennis facility and boat launch just south of the neighborhood, and the City Marina and an off-leash dog park are nearby.
Vital Statistics
416 Conn Way
Neighborhood: Bethel by the Sea • Year built: 2013
Construction: Concrete block with stucco
Lot size: 90 feet by 157 feet • Home size: 2,136 square feet
Pool: Freeform, heated saltwater swimming pool • View: Garden
Bedrooms: 3 • Bathrooms: 2 full baths and I half-bath
Additional features: Electric fireplace; den; volume ceilings; crown molding; updated kitchen and bath; whole-house reverse osmosis water system; Icynene insulated, finished attic; covered, screened lanai; irrigation well; impact windows and doors; two RV or boat parking pads; fire pit; outdoor shower; Zen garden; and two-car, rear entry garage.
Listing agency: AMAC Alex MacWilliam, Inc.
Listing agents: Cheryl Gerstner and Kit Fields, 772-539-2100 and 770-312-5165
Listing price: $1,999,000
Photos provided
