The Mediterranean-style, oceanfront estate at 12506 Highway A1A in Ambersand Beach captures that essence of the untouched coastal beauty that drew Scott Walker and Shara Szirtes to Vero Beach to begin with.
The couple married nearby and were entranced by the area, so they immediately began looking for properties. “We found the beaches much wilder and more remote than where we live in St. Petersburg,” says Szirtes.
They found a home that offered panoramic ocean-to-river views with crashing ocean waves and a tranquil river – the best of both shores.
“We love how private and remote the area is, and we love that our dog can run freely on the beach,” shares Szirtes.
The couple was hooked when they walked out onto the oceanfront balcony. “We had that, ‘Okay, wow, the ocean is here,’ moment” says Szirtes.
The approach to the home sets a tone of classic elegance. An expansive space provides a buffer from the road – a rarity on this part of the island where there’s only a ribbon of land separating the ocean and the river.
After the buffer zone, a gated, circular driveway with plenty of space for family and guest parking leads to a two-car garage and the front entry. At the center of the driveway, a three-tiered fountain in a reservoir pool commands attention.
The home can accommodate large family gatherings while maintaining a sense of tranquility. The first floor acts as an independent living space for those with multi-generational living needs or frequent guests while the homeowner can live fully on the upper level.
“None of the rooms was an afterthought,” notes Szirtes of the room sizes, windows and independent amenities.
Double, wooden front doors with large sidelights open into a two-story foyer with natural light filtering through the upper-level windows. A variety of textures in the foyer – rocks, wood and glass – hint at the aesthetics carried throughout the house, giving it a warm and inviting feel.
Stairs leading to the upper level are located in the foyer.
On the first floor, four bedrooms and three bathrooms ensure guests have comfort and privacy.
The lower-level primary suite features a wood-burning fireplace accented by a rock wall, echoing and enhancing the rock motif used in other rooms. The primary bathroom has a soaking tub and subway tile.
A fully equipped kitchen downstairs means guests don’t have to venture upstairs to the main living area to grab a snack or have a meal. The lower level also includes a laundry room, access to the two-car garage, a sauna and a game room featuring a wet bar, copper lighting, pecky cypress wood paneling and access to the backyard and beach beyond.
The upper level, reached via the wooden staircase in the foyer or an elevator, was designed to maximize the spectacular coastal views. The open-concept family room features a tray ceiling accented with inverted hips and exposed beams. Natural wood and rock textures carry through the living spaces, anchoring the rooms.
“The home features an open floor plan that seamlessly blends indoor luxury with breathtaking seaside views,” says Matilde, broker-owner of Dale Sorensen, Real Estate.
The central bar, adorned with shell accents and a wine rack, flows seamlessly into the island kitchen and formal dining space, maximizing the ocean views. From the kitchen, you can take in views of the Indian River that make meal prep a pleasure.
The primary suite on the upper level captures the morning light through a bay of oceanfront windows. The suite opens to a covered deck, perfect for sunrise views over the Atlantic, while a riverside balcony is ideal for watching colorful sunsets
The suite features walk-in closets and an updated bathroom with dual vanities, a shower, a soaking tub and a water closet with a bidet. This private retreat allows owners to enjoy complete solitude when desired.
The backyard provides a private green space for family activities, plus an outdoor shower and private beach access.
“The spacious terrace overlooks the long, serene beach, accompanied by a rare, large grassy backyard for family entertaining, right on the shore,” says Sorensen.
“Your private paradise by the sea,” she says.
Walker and Szirtes say they have enjoyed easy access to nature, noting sightings of migrating dragonflies, land crabs, bobcats and marine life ranging from dolphins to spinner sharks and sea turtles nesting on the beach.
“Where we’re located has a sense of remoteness, but Vero’s just down the road,” says Walker.
Ambersand Beach, the McLarty Treasure Museum and the Sebastian Inlet are nearby; and surfers are minutes from Monster Hole and Spanish House if they want to ride the waves.
Directly across the lagoon and a short boat ride away is Sebastian, where you can grab a bite to eat at one of the boater-friendly restaurants and explore Riverview Park or drift down the river to the Pelican Island Sanctuary or the Environmental Learning Center. It’s a short, scenic drive south on A1A to Vero’s Ocean Drive for upscale shopping and dining or cultural activities at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and Riverside Theatre.
Vital Statistics
12506 Hwy. A1A
Neighborhood: Ambersand Beach
Year built: 1982
Construction: Concrete block, frame
Lot size: 79 feet by 370 feet
Home size: 5,540 square feet
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4 full baths and 1 half-bath
View: Ocean and river
Additional features: Gated; circle drive with a fountain; oceanfront wet bar; wine cooler; two fireplaces; dual primary suites and kitchens; soaking tub; bidet; game room with wet bar; sauna; elevator; Nest thermostat system; two-car garage; partial impact windows and doors; sunrise and sunset balconies; and dune walkover.
Listing agency: Dale Sorensen Real Estate
Listing agent: Matilde Sorensen, 772-532-0010
Listing price: $5,500,000
Photos provided
