Walking through the original part of Vero Beach, just west of downtown, is like taking a trip back in time, when everything was much simpler. Tall trees shade the streets and the area is abundant with tropical flowers and plants. The houses in this section of town were built to last in the early decades of the 20th Century. Some homeowners have lived in this area for decades, and others are just finding out what a great neighborhood this is.
A charming vintage cottage in wonderful condition is this week’s featured home. Located on a corner lot, at 2206 18th Avenue, in Vero’s ‘original town,’ this quaint house is the perfect spot for gardeners who want to live in a friendly neighborhood, within walking distance of the 14th Avenue art and dining corridor, the court house, the county administration building, and two churches. There is practically no traffic, and this house is so solid that you really cannot hear anything outside when the windows are closed.
The cozy house, which looks small from the outside, has been updated over the years, but many classic touches remain, including the shiny wood floors and the retro tile bathrooms, which are coming back into style. Other vintage touches include louvered windows, plantation shutters, a brick fireplace in the living room, and a white picket fence. Practical things that matter, such as the roof and air conditioner, have been recently updated, as have many of the appliances.
The lot is already nicely landscaped with attractive bushes and ferns, but there is room to add a vegetable garden and some fruit trees. Shady trees protect the house from Florida’s blistering summer heat. A hot pink bougainvillea bush provides shade for one of the rooms.
“This is a romantic cottage with quality construction improvements.” said Vance Brinkerhoff, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Paradise. “It is an easy walk to great parks, recreational facilities and the library.”
There are two entries into the house – the entry on 22nd St. is actually a relaxing, shaded porch with louvered windows that can change the space inside to outside with the turn of lever. The entry on 18th Ave. is framed by huge oak trees and is across the street from Community Church, renowned for its pre-school, among many other wonderful programs and attributes. First Baptist, two blocks away, also is renowned for its pre-school.
Inside this traditional house, which is much airier than the outside belies, the current owners have remodeled and added elegant crown molding and built-in bookshelves. The hardwood floors are in perfect condition, and the natural light in the house is fabulous.
An exquisite mantel piece and built-in bookcases and shelves are the focal point in the living room. Natural light streams in the bay window and another window, through crisp white plantation shutters.
The dining room is separate from the kitchen, as was typical for 1940s architecture. It looks like the house that the family from “Father Knows Best” lived in. There are two built-in china cabinets and wainscoting with lovely woodwork beneath it. A ceiling fan keeps the room cool in the spring.
The kitchen has been updated and has pristine white cabinets, a blue countertop, and a charming breakfast nook. There is tons of cabinet and storage space, as well as updated appliances and overhead lighting.
There are three bedrooms, all good sized, with lots of natural light streaming in, and the master bath is part of the master bedroom. All of the bedrooms have ceiling fans, and storage abounds. The house sits on an oversized corner lot, hidden in plain sight, in the midst of everything. A one car garage, along with parking space as part of the driveway, makes parking simple.
This is a great investment in a mature neighborhood in transition. There are subtle signs – baby strollers seen along the sidewalks and cute paint jobs on other houses – that younger people with children are moving in, because of the old time neighborhood feeling, the classic architecture and the proximity to all that downtown Vero has to offer.
