by Sean McCaughan | December 7, 2018
The Roost: A Place in Paradise
Set on some of the state's most picturesque landscapes, these homes put the focus on their surrounding environment
Photography by 8 Fifty Productions
SEASIDE
The breezy neoclassical home nestled in the dunes and peering over the Gulf of Mexico is one of Seaside’s original planned new urbanist beach cottages. The traditional architecture creates an old-world aesthetic although the house, built in 1990, is of relatively recent construction. It was fully renovated in the spring of 2018 and went through Hurricane Michael completely unscathed. Each of the three bedrooms has its own screened porch, and there are open patios off each of the main living spaces on the second floor. The cottage is situated in the heart of Seaside, walking distance to shops, cafes and public beach access points through two of Seaside’s iconic ocean pavilions.
2418 E. County Highway, Santa Rosa Beach
$3,195,000
Photography courtesy Sorensen Real Estate
MERRITT ISLAND
Built in 1942, the sprawling Mediterranean Revival estate, on 7.6 acres, overlooks the Indian River with views of the rocket launches at Cape Canaveral. Known informally as the “White House of the South,” its history is peppered with big name historical figures who stayed there, including President Lyndon B. Johnson. A vast pool and pool house look out over a spectacular private lake and cascading waterfall. There’s even bamboo and rose gardens. Of the total 22,000 square feet of indoor living spaces, 11 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms split among multiple buildings, 14,755 square feet belong to the main house featuring hand-painted walls, preserved pecky cypress vaulted post-and-beam ceilings and antique tile and marble.
205 Hacienda Drive., Merritt Island
$6,449,000
Photography courtesy American Caribbean Real Estate
PLANTATION KEY
Located on Islamorada, in the middle Keys, this home on the sand is one of only four in a secluded oceanfront enclave. Featuring a private beach, pool and 30-foot dock with a boat lift in the neighborhood marina, the house is the perfect jumping-off point to explore the Florida Keys. The West Indies–style estate has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, a great room with 30-foot ceilings, two master suites with private balconies, an elevator and extensive verandas to take advantage of the ocean views. The lush half-acre lot, already substantial for the Florida Keys, feels even larger because of the outdoor living areas underneath the house, which is elevated to protect from storm surges.
298 South Drive., Plantation Key
$4,500,000
Photography by SRQ360
SARASOTA
Facing Roberts Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway on Siesta Key, this place is an outdoor playland. In addition to the expansive water views, the multi-level saltwater pool with a heated spa, swim-up bar and waterfall makes an impressive statement. Wide lawns under gnarled oak trees surround the pool. The six-bedroom, seven-bath house sits on a three-quarter-acre lot with 150 feet of water frontage, featuring two boat lifts and a floating dock. The Caribbean-inspired tropical interior is slightly formal, with a grand living room, exceptionally large kitchen and breakfast nook. Deep verandas extend off of the living room and master bedroom. The huge master bath has a “party size” shower and a deep soaking tub set in what can only be described as an indoor Zen rock garden.
