From its groundbreaking in 1969 as a residential development, private St. John’s Island north of Vero Beach, Florida, has been aimed at those with “discerning tastes.”
Fast-forward to 2023, and the private barrier island community of 1,650 acres in Indian River Shores boasts such amenities as three championship golf courses, tennis, a beach club and miles of private beach access.
With asking prices that can reach upward of $20 million, the island’s gated estates offer a lifestyle that appeals to a highly elite and exclusive clientele, says Troy Westover of the Westover Team at Dale Sorensen Real Estate. “The very finest that Vero Beach has to offer in country club living.”
Westover is the listing realtor for one such estate at 80 Stingaree Point designed for indoor-outdoor living and priced at $12.9 million. The more than 1.5-acre wooded property is encompassed by a nature preserve along Indian River.
“Homes of this caliber in John’s Island rarely come onto the market. Among other things,” he says, the quality of the serene retreat underscores “the difference between the rich and super-rich.”
A gently undulating paver driveway leads to the home’s portico-sheltered entry and the three-car garage. Windows in and above the front door provide a look through to the lush tropical greenery of the backyard.
The wainscotting-lined foyer opens to an elegant living room with a fireplace, French doors and lighted tray ceiling. A cathedral ceiling tops the formal dining room.
Tall ceilings, crown molding and white oak grain plank floors carry throughout the interiors. With more than 5,000 square feet of living space, the retreat includes a family room, office, five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and a powder room. The primary suite has a dressing room, separate mahogany walk-in closet, rain head shower and two safes.
The kitchen features white, glass-fronted and wood cabinetry, stainless-steel Wolf appliances and white backsplashes. The cascading marble center island has seating for three.
Sleek travertine tile decking surrounds the aquamarine-hued swimming pool and spa at the rear of the house. A pool house is on one end near a stretch of lawn and winding stone path. A fire pit sits near a covered patio off the house with a barbecue center and seating and dining areas.
There’s also a new dock along John’s Island Sound Intracoastal.
Westover envisions the buyer of the Stingaree estate being a high-net-worth individual seeking a second/vacation home or a retiree who wants a full-time residence where family and friends can come to visit.