When you walk through the front door of 226 Binnacle Pt. in the Anchor at The Moorings, your eye is immediately drawn to a long, inspiring view of Cutlass Cove.
It’s the kind of entrance that makes buyers stop in their tracks. Which is exactly what happened when owner Skip Willauer, an avid sailor and Youth Sailing Foundation volunteer, and his wife Juliana, decided to move to Florida.
“My wife walked in the door and stopped,” recalls Willauer, admitting that he knew right then and there that this was the house for them. “We chose the house for a simple combination of reasons that are hard to find all in one place,” he adds, but it was the waterfront views and direct access out to Porpoise Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway that sealed their future.
“This is the best house I’ve ever lived in. The floorplan is exceptional. The space is so well used and designed,” says Willauer of the waterfront haven, a stellar example of architectural flow with the benefit of numerous updates.
“They updated and storm-proofed everything,” explains Daina Bertrand, a realtor with The Moorings Realty Sales Co. Upgrades include a new roof; impact windows and doors; rebuilt seawall, pilings, and dock; new 12,000-pound boat lift; new exterior paint and garage doors.
A circular drive at the front provides ample parking and easy access to the home’s entrance. Through the glass-paned front entry, a sea of travertine tile invites guests to step into the foyer, which opens into the living room, where you can gather for fireside conversations while taking in the dreamy water view.
Just off the foyer, the formal dining room is the perfect spot to gather the crew for an evening feast. High ceilings and a light-filled window give the space an open feel, ensuring the room never seems confined. A half-wall defines the room’s borders, creating an intimate space that feels both expansive and cozy.
With four bedrooms and a den or sitting room, the home uses space efficiently. Willauer aptly refers to the layout as a “compass” floor plan. Complete with its own bathroom, each of the four bedrooms is tucked into a separate corner of the home, providing privacy for family and guests.
Just off the living room and adjacent to the den is the multi-functional cabana bath. Whether guests are stepping inside from an afternoon on the pool deck or gathering for an evening of dining, its central location handles the ebb and flow of visitors with ease. Featuring a dividing door that separates the shower area from the powder room, the layout means a swimmer can rinse off at the same time another guest uses the powder room, accommodating a variety of needs.
The primary suite, located at the back of the house, opposite the family gathering areas, is anchored by long water views through a trio of windows and has private access to the lanai. Two walk-in closets and a dressing area create a buffer between the sleeping area and bath.
The garden tub and shower are unified by glass-block detailing, which allows natural light to flood the room while preserving a personal sanctuary. A water closet and dual sinks complete the space.
At the center of the house, a dedicated interior storage room large enough to roll a fully decorated Christmas tree inside offers floor-to-ceiling storage.
Nearby are the laundry room and the three-car garage, which provides easy access to the kitchen, breakfast nook and family room. The garage offers plenty of space for cars, a golf cart and a boat trailer, plus a workbench and additional storage space.
The kitchen is open and features a wet bar, a walk-in pantry and a built-in desk with river views. It flows seamlessly into the casual living spaces, perfect for easygoing family gatherings and larger events incorporating the adjoining patio.
You can sit in the family room and watch the comings and goings on Intracoastal Waterway, and you won’t feel like you ever need to turn on the TV.
Sliders in the family room and a glass cove in the breakfast nook blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The heated saltwater pool and spa are positioned to give the illusion that they are part of the sparkling cove beyond.
The covered patio provides all-day shade, perfect for lounging and dining, while further out on the deck, you can make the most of sunny days. As it’s north-facing, notes Willauer, they get “big open water views, shaded outdoor living and no punishing sun exposure.”
As the Willauers depart Binnacle Point, they are leaving everything shipshape – from the seawall to the roof – as they move on to their next project within the Moorings community.
As Moorings Property Owners Association members, residents have private beach access and gated security at the Anchor. The Moorings Yacht & Country Club offers a full slate of country club amenities.
From The Moorings, it is a short drive to Vero’s Ocean Drive for shopping and dining. Nearby, Riverside Theatre and Vero Beach Museum of Art offer world-class cultural outings. For families with children, Saint Edward’s School is located next door to the community.
Vital Statistics
226 Binnacle Pt.
Neighborhood: The Anchor at the Moorings
Year built: 1998 • Construction: Concrete block
Home size: 3,818 square feet • Bedrooms: 4 • Bathrooms: 5
Pool: Heated, saltwater swimming pool with spa
View: Pool and Cutlass Cove on the Indian River
Additional features: Guard-gated; den; gourmet kitchen; wet bar; wine cooler; fireplace; cabana bath; custom millwork; tray and coffered ceilings; crown molding; covered patio; three-car garage; backup generator; 2024 roof; impact windows and doors; new seawall bulkhead; fenced backyard; and deep-water dock with 12,000-pound boat lift.
Listing agency: The Moorings Realty Sales Co.
Listing agent: Daina Bertrand, 772-231-5131
Listing price: $4,995,000
Photos provided
