Fellsmere is not quite the boomtown it was in the early 1900s when the Fellsmere Inn was built and the railroad ran through the heart of the city, but Fellsmere is on the edge of the sort of renaissance that makes the prospect of operating a historic bed-and-breakfast retreat more viable than ever.
So why would couples or families, corporate retreats, church groups, reunion gatherings or bridal parties choose Fellsmere as a special event or vacation destination?
Well, within a few minutes’ drive of Broadway – Fellsmere’s main street where the inn sits proudly overlooking the downtown – is not only the interstate and some of the best freshwater fishing in the Southeast, but also a weekend farmer’s market, an authentic old-Florida eatery, rodeos, airboat rides, a ropes challenge course, the North County Aquatic Complex, the county gun range, the St. Sebastian River Buffer Preserve’s hiking and equestrian trails, plus a prime competitive rowing artery in the C-54 Canal. Another 10 to 15 minutes away is Sebastian’s riverfront shopping and entertainment district, charter fishing, parks, and some of the area’s most prized beaches.
But for guests who just want to get away from it all and relax in the country a comfortable chair, a good book and a tall iced tea or cocktail on the Historic Fellsmere Inn’s graceful wraparound veranda might be just as satisfying as all that activity.
“We’re excited about this and we feel that the timing is perfect because of all the new opportunities,” said Broker-Associate Janyne Kenworthy of Treasure Coast Sotheby’s International Real Estate, who, with colleague Beverlee Pulling is offering the inn at $1,549,000.
Kenworthy mentioned not only some of the interesting cultural and recreational activities above, but the millions in recent business investment in the surrounding area, from the National Elephant Center to the colossal Florida Organic Aquaculture shrimp farm. Things are starting to happen in Fellsmere and with the city now having a complement of 44 square miles of land, with recent annexations, Fellsmere is ready.
Most times, purchasing a historic property to turn it into a business can mean years of painstaking restoration and hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs. Fortunately, entrepreneur Fred Vandeveer and his family have already done the heavy lifting since they bought the inn in 2005. They’re just now putting the finishing touches on the fully equipped commercial kitchen and after that, the extensive renovation will be complete.
A marvel of hardwood and old Southern charm, the inn offers elegance on a grand scale, from the bar and lounge to the billiards room and banquet hall, the interior of the place just must be seen. It has the look and feel and even the aroma of a well-established private club where the barons of industry would meet for a whiskey and a cigar to discuss a big land deal or business partnership.
The renovations Vandeveer completed were in part aimed at bringing a century-old inn up to modern building codes. The plumbing and electrical work was redone and three commercial restrooms were equipped to serve patrons in the lounge and banquet hall. One wheelchair-accessible suite with wide doorways and a roll-in shower is located conveniently downstairs, since the rest of the 11 rooms are up a staircase. The inn has two outdoor staircases as alternative exits for fire safety.
The wood floors gleam, the bathrooms sparkle and all the walls have been freshly painted. Unlike some buildings of its era, the Fellsmere Inn welcomes guests through wide hallways and spacious doorways and the bathrooms are not merely functional, but stately and luxurious.
The building and grounds would make a picturesque setting for a wedding, a special anniversary celebration or an unforgettable family reunion. The banquet hall could also double as meeting or presentation space for conferences and corporate retreats.
Locals remember being brought to the inn as kids for wonderful Sunday dinners, a tradition that the new owners could more than re-create in the modern, restaurant kitchen.
There’s also an opportunity for some retail rental income on the property as it has an attractive wine room that could be converted to a gift shop. Currently the space, located adjacent the lobby and innkeeper’s counter, is filled with wooden wine racks and shelves full of wine bottles, adding to the quiet sophistication of the place.
Vandeveer, his family and a caretaker-groundskeeper make the second floor of the Fellsmere Inn their home these days. They’ve renovated properties in the Florida Keys, on tropical islands and in cities and towns scattered around the country. Their work is finished at the Fellsmere Inn and anyone who sees it will surely exclaim that “it is good.”
“The restoration is wonderful, a lot of time and money has been invested in the property,” said Broker-Associate Pulling.
So now it’s time for the Vandeveer family to move on to the next adventure, the next challenge, and leave the inn to someone with a vision and a passion for innkeeping who will open the doors and fill the rooms with happy guests.
