Pulling into the circular drive of 2010 Club Dr. in Riomar, the first thing you notice is the peaceful vibe. Gentle ocean breezes rustle through old-growth oaks, and the sound of water trickling down rain chains invites you to relax in the meticulously crafted ecosystem among an array of gardens on the 1.25-acre estate.
When Marie Stiefel purchased the property, she committed to upgrading the existing home while merging her vision of a British West Indies-style house with the landscape into “an environmentally responsible green encompassment.”
Stiefel worked with architect Matthew Gore and Roberts Construction to reimagine the existing, single-story structure. She wanted to honor the land’s history and used the home’s existing footprint to expand the living space by taking the home upward.
“She didn’t just want a house; she wanted a project with a purpose. She took an older Riomar home that had been lived in by several well-known local folks; and, instead of tearing it down, she chose to honor its bones,” notes AMAC Alex MacWilliam broker associate Charlotte Terry.
“She spent a great deal of time with her architects and builders finding ways to reuse and repurpose, like turning the massive old cypress beams from the original structure into the benches and tables that now dot the gardens,” adds Terry.
Wanting to reduce the home’s impact on the environment, Stiefel incorporated photovoltaic tiles on the roof to collect energy, rain chains to capture runoff and funnel it into two cisterns for irrigation, and AC conduits that run through air-conditioned spaces to maintain a constant temperature. These considerations, along with others, earned the home LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for its environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
The extensive gardens that surround the house are representative of Stiefel’s love of horticultural styles. Instead of choosing just one, she opted to create a variety of destination gardens throughout the estate, with themed bowers – leafy shelters – showcasing begonias, bromeliads and orchids. There’s a Zen garden, a kitchen garden, a jungle traverse, a dry stream garden and a rainforest milieu that provides a natural privacy barrier along the front of the property.
“The house is as much about the spectacular gardens and the views of the ocean as it is about the four walls. It’s magical,” says Terry.
The driveway circles the dry stream garden, where, after guests park in the expansive motor court, they can walk across a footbridge before heading to the front entry. There, a solid, dark wood door with sidelights opens into a hallway that draws the eye through the interior to glass doors that open onto the pool porch and lap pool beyond.
This central hallway demarcates the first floor sleeping and living areas, providing maximum privacy, with two guest suites and a laundry room on the right and the shared living spaces to the left. The rooms flow strategically to ensure effortless hospitality.
“The floor plan is just fantastic – it’s meticulously built and perfectly balanced. You have the main living spaces on one side and the bedrooms on the other, creating this wonderful sense of flow,” notes Terry.
While sitting alongside the gas fireplace in the living room, you can enjoy views of the pool. The dining room, a powder room and bar transition into the kitchen, where a large island and a curved wall that feels organic rather than industrial feature high-end appliances.
Outside, the kitchen garden is a lovely spot for gatherings, whether it’s an afternoon tea or a family barbecue. The family room and a dining porch with a summer kitchen and roll-down screens allow plein air entertaining no matter what the weather.
Upstairs is a true sanctuary, boasting ocean and sunset balconies. This level comprises the primary suite, a library and an elegant bathroom, featuring a soaking tub, shower, water closet, dual sinks, built-in vanity and a walk-in closet with a laundry system.
A breezeway connects the guest house that features a kitchenette, two bedrooms and a shared bath. Terry says it is “a spectacular addition for a multigenerational family. It gives guests that sense of independent living while still being part of the estate’s overall charm.”
Outside, the biggest dilemma is deciding where to sit and take in your surroundings. Whether it’s the covered pool porch, the dining porch or poolside, there’s a variety of intimate seating areas.
For outdoor gatherings, the potting shed is outfitted with a shelf and sink, doubling as a bar area for garden parties.
Old Riomar is conveniently located between Vero’s two bridges, with easy access to beachside and mainland locations. One of the first areas settled along the ocean on the barrier island, the neighborhood is rich in history and known for its live oak canopy. It’s just a short bike or golf cart ride from the community to Quail Valley River Club, Riomar Country Club, Riomar Beach access, shopping and dining on Ocean Drive, Riverside Park, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Vero Beach Dog Park and the City Marina.
Vital Statistics
2010 Club Dr.
Neighborhood: Riomar
Year built: 1950, renovated: 2010 • Construction: Concrete block
Architect: Matthew Gore • Contractor: Roberts Construction
Interior designer: Betty Manry • Landscape designer: Dan Ford
Lot size: 204 feet by 265 feet • Home size: 6,949 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: 5 • Bathrooms: 4 full baths and 1 half-bath
Views: Garden, pool and golf course • Pool: Lap pool with retractable cover
Additional features: LEED certified; courtyard; Saturnia marble and wood flooring; upstairs and downstairs laundry; bar and wine fridge; crown molding; gas fireplace; walk-in closet; dual sinks; built-in vanity; jetted tub; impact glass; three-car garage; sunrise and sunset balconies; photovoltaic system; outdoor speakers; whole house generator; rain chain and cistern; summer kitchen; extensive gardens; and potting shed
Listing agency: Alex MacWilliam, Inc.
Listing agents: Broker associate Charlotte Terry and sales associate Patty Valdes; 772-538-2388 or 772-473-8810
Listing price: $7,800,000
Photos provided
