When Laurie Kaneb-Stewart first discovered Charleston Square, she fell in love with this timeless enclave. It would be 15 years before she got the call that a home in the neighborhood – 645 Riomar Dr. – was on the market. It was perfect timing, recalls Laurie, because her parents had lived in John’s Island for years, and were looking for a home easier to navigate that was closer to her. After purchase, the home provided a place of peace and comfort for Laurie’s parents, where they spent their final years. Following their passing, Laurie bought the residence from the estate. She and her husband, William Stewart, have made it their home ever since. The Charleston Square neighborhood is nestled under a mature canopy of majestic live oak trees in old Riomar. “Each house in this little enclave is completely different,” says AMAC Alex MacWilliam broker associate Charlotte Terry. “This was the model, and it’s the only one with an elevator.” Despite the elevator, Laurie says one of the things she loves best about the house is that you can live entirely on the first floor. “It’s such a versatile house,” she adds. The two-story, Charleston-inspired residence features classic architecture and exudes a timeless elegance from the moment you walk up the brick-paved front steps leading to the front door surrounded by sidelight and transom windows, opening the interior to sunlight. Wrought-iron gates and a trio of walled courtyards awash with beautifully landscaped flowers, shrubs and trees provide three separate retreats from the outside world. “This is a very elegant home,” says Terry, noting the meticulous attention to detail, including the 9-foot coffered ceilings, extensive custom millwork and gleaming parquet floors. The first floor is designed for both entertaining and comfortable living, with rooms laid out along a central gallery. This gallery leads – at the opposite end of the hall – to a gracious, formal living room, featuring a gas fireplace and a custom-built wet bar reminiscent of a military campaign chest. A nearby powder room is conveniently located for guests. The west wing contains an elegantly appointed dining room. The room’s capacity lends itself to flexibility, allowing it to be used as a sitting room or library if preferred. A butler’s door to the kitchen is a thoughtful design component that enables seamless entertaining, reminiscent of a bygone era. You can enjoy your morning coffee in the breakfast nook or in the privacy of the walled kitchen courtyard, accessed through sliding glass doors that also allow the interior to be bathed in soft, ambient light. Cowtan & Tout wallpaper perfectly matches the pink Corian countertop, giving the kitchen a quaint, cottage aesthetic. The kitchen is equipped with a gas stove that will be appreciated by serious home cooks. A wide opening connects the kitchen and living room, while sliding plantation shutters can be drawn to create a more intimate setting. Also on the main level are the guest bedroom and the primary suite, located in the east wing. Originally designed to have two primary suites on the first floor, the guest bedroom, just off the front entry, is currently used as an office. The primary suite overlooks the sparkling cocktail pool, offering privileged access to the walled courtyard, which provides complete privacy in your lushly landscaped sanctuary. The suite features dual walk-in closets and an elegant bathroom with a vanity, two toilets and a shower. The home’s upper level is accessed via a switchback staircase located off the central hall or an elevator adjacent to the kitchen. Upstairs, the laundry room and two suites provide comfortable accommodation. The mirror-image ensuite guest bedrooms with a shared screened balcony overlook one of the courtyards. Dormers add nostalgic character to the exterior while creating cozy spaces inside, forming alcoves and nooks where you can perch on a window seat to read or contemplate the stars. Storage space is abundant for winter clothing, luggage, golf clubs and musical instruments. These spaces are also perfect places for visiting grandchildren to play hide and seek. Outside, a breezeway provides cover from the elements between the main house and the two-car garage located behind the house. There are also two parking spaces at the front of the house for guests. Part of the home’s charm arises from the trio of independent walled courtyards, creating distinct outdoor rooms for a wide range of uses, depending on your mood – an intimate kitchen patio for al fresco meals, a tranquil garden off the living room for quiet reflection, and a pool courtyard for recreation. “It’s especially beautiful at night when it’s lit up,” says Laurie, noting the recently redone landscaping and landscape lighting. Charleston Square is an exclusive enclave of six custom-built residences located in the historic Old Riomar neighborhood. It is conveniently located between the bridges for easy access to beachside and mainland locations. The community is nestled between Holy Cross Catholic Church and Quail Valley River Club, with everything in Vero’s famous island village just a short walk, bike or golf cart ride away. Nearby amenities include Riverside Park, Riomar Country Club, Riomar Beach access, the City Marina, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Vero Beach Dog Park, and shopping and dining on Ocean Drive. <strong>Vital Statistics</strong> 645 Riomar Dr. <strong>Neighborhood:</strong> Charleston Square • <strong>Year built:</strong> 1984 <strong>Construction:</strong> Brick, concrete block <strong>Lot size:</strong> 75 feet x 236 feet • <strong>Home size:</strong> 3,619 sq. Ft. <strong>Bedrooms:</strong> 4 •<strong> Bathrooms:</strong> 4 full baths and 1 half-bath <strong>View:</strong> Garden • Pool: Propane heated <strong>Additional features:</strong> Parquet and carpet flooring; wood-burning fireplace; window seat; floor safe; screened balcony; custom-coffered ceiling; wet bar; elevator; two-car detached garage; new roof; roll-down and electronic storm shutters; impact sliders; Generac generator; leased, 500-gallon propane tank; and three courtyards. <strong>Listing agency:</strong> Alex MacWilliam Inc. <strong>Listing agents:</strong> Broker associates Charlotte Terry, 772-538-2388, and Maria Caldarone, 772-713-7139 <strong>Listing price:</strong> $3,494,000 <em>Photos provided</em> [gallery ids="221175,221176,221177,221178,221179,221180,221181,221182,221183,221184,221185,221186,221187,221188,221189,221190,221191"]