Pete and Sally Lake stumbled upon River Village at Grand Harbor quite by accident. While visiting his mother in Port St. Lucie, they decided to check out barrier island housing options in Vero Beach but didn’t find a community that offered both a marina and golf.
On a whim, they popped into Grand Harbor on their way back out of town and found exactly what they were looking for. The next day, the couple purchased a condominium on the marina where they wintered before retiring in 2003. After retirement, they moved into the just-completed 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom penthouse at 4872 S. Harbor Drive #401, also in River Village.
“River Village has the most upscale, deluxe condos in Grand Harbor,” says Alex MacWilliam, Inc. Realtor Diane DeFrancisci. With only two units per floor, residents can anticipate exceptional privacy in this luxury condominium, and “the view is spectacular,” adds DeFrancisci.
From a gracious lobby, the owners gain access to their private elevator using their custom key fob. Upstairs, the elevator opens into a vestibule where you can either head outside to the exterior staircase or inside to the circular foyer where blonde, wood floors gleam. The space is filled with an abundance of natural light through expansive windows across the rear wall of the penthouse.
To the left of the foyer, a short hallway leads to two guestrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a shared balcony – keeping guests at arm’s length for optimal privacy all around.
Stepping deeper into the home, the open and thoughtfully designed floor plan allows for active living. High ceilings, luxury finishes and fine appointments add to the overall effortless elegance of the space.
The kitchen is off to the left through a short hallway where a built-in desk and the powder room and laundry room are tucked conveniently out of the way. Granite countertops and dark wood cabinets accent the stainless-steel appliances in the island kitchen.
A pass-through window opens from the kitchen into the dining room, so no one misses out during family gatherings.
At the center of the unit, the dining room and living room have a front-row seat to waterfront living, dominated by breathtaking views and illuminated by natural sunlight provided by full-height sliding glass doors and windows.
“The fact that we had an opportunity to get on the top floor was important because of the phenomenal view of the golf course and its signature hole, but also we were sailors and boaters at the time,” says Pete Lake, “so we enjoyed the opportunity to sit on the porch and watch a variety of craft and birds cruise by.”
The owner’s suite encompasses the southern wing of the unit. The suite has two walk-in closets, and a luxurious spa-like bath featuring granite countertops, a soaking tub, dual sinks, built-in vanity, jetted tub, a water closet with a bidet and a walk-in shower behind a wall of glass block. It’s a spectacular space to relax and unwind.
You can sit out on the balcony in the mornings and watch the sunrise over the river while you enjoy a cup of coffee when everything is still and quiet.
The generous wraparound balcony adds a welcoming outdoor living area to the residence with the perfect blend of spectacular river and golf-course views. The signature 14th tee of the River Course dominates the backdrop with wood bridges, canals and a forest of mangroves where the variety of birds provide a never-ending show.
Pete sums up the five overriding reasons why they chose Grand Harbor: two excellent golf courses, Har-Tru tennis courts, the best deep-water marina and harbor for their boating, a great Beach Club, and the proximity to a wonderful hospital and shopping.
But the reason they stayed was because of the friendships they made. In this tightly knit community within the greater Grand Harbor, Pete says, “we love that we had our own clubhouse and pool. We have get-togethers on a regular basis with our neighbors. That is a group we socialize with on a regular basis.”
The private River Village Residents’ Club is designed for entertainment. A gathering space with a pool, caterer’s kitchen and dining area, you can use the club for game night, after golf drinks or reserve it for a private gathering.
River Village at Grand Harbor is just one of the secluded, residential “islands” within the 900-acre guard-gated enclave, designed to provide the resort-at-home lifestyle to the fullest. Slips at the sheltered harbor and marina are available for lease through Suntex and provide easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean via the Fort Pierce and Sebastian inlets.
Vital Statistics
- Address: 4872 S. Harbor Drive #401
- Neighborhood: River Village at Grand Harbor
- Year built: 2003
- Construction: Concrete block with stucco
- Home size: 2,749 square feet
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 3 full and 1 half
- Pool: Community pool
- Views: River and golf course
- Additional features: Guard, gated; walk-in closet; jetted tub; bidet; crown molding; wood floors; island kitchen; granite countertops; stainless steel appliances; built-in desk; powder/laundry room; wrap-around balcony; electric shutters and a two-car garage
- Listing agency: Alex MacWilliam, Inc.
- Listing agent: Diane DeFrancisci, 772-538-1614
- Listing price: $945,000
