Featured Home of the Week - 228 Island Creek Drive

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Vero Beach 32963 / October 2, 2014

REAL ESTATE

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Vero Beach 32963 / October 2, 2014

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

REAL ESTATE

Georgian-style home offers lake and golf course views

BY STEVEN M. THOMAS Staff Writer

The spacious Georgian home at 228 Island Creek Drive in John’s Island has much to recommend it to a discriminating homebuyer.

Located on a lake opposite the 15th fairway on the south golf course, it has expansive rear views across two fairways as the course doubles back behind it, meaning homes on the far side

of the course are picturesquely distant.

A golf membership is available to go with the house upon club approval.

Built in 2000 and since upgraded, the house is in pristine, move-in condition. The county property appraiser rates it as having 96 percent of its useful life ahead of it.

Listed for $3,300,000, the house is 5,600 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, a 2-car garage, a free-form swimming pool and exceptional fin-

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Vero Beach 32963 / October 2, 2014

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REAL ESTATE

countertops and Viking appliances, including a double oven, gas cooktop, dishwasher and commercial-size refrigerator. There is also a full-size wine

ishes and amenities.

A semi-circular drive with pavers leads from the quiet street to the home’s front entrance, curving around an island lush with well-tended tropical landscaping. The carefully crafted plantings continue along the front walk which passes through abundant greenery to reach the front porch and three-inch-thick solid mahogany door with sidelights.

On the other side of the baronial door is elegant gallery that serves both as a foyer and a front hall connecting the bedroom wing to the right and the public wing to the left.

Going straight ahead across the gallery, one enters the 29-foot by 17-foot living room. With glowing hardwood floor and high, vaulted ceiling it is a

beautiful and dramatic space, with a fireplace at one end and three sets of mahogany French doors that let in the golf-course views and lead out to the covered terrace overlooking the pool.

To the left of the living room, through a wide cased opening, is a magnificent 19-foot by 32-foot family room with a wet bar, built-in entertainment center and coffered ceiling. Like the living room, it has French doors that lead out onto the covered terrace.

All of the French doors have pocket screen doors so they can be opened in nice weather to allow in the ocean breeze that sweeps across the golf course.

The family room is open on one end to the large, upgraded gourmet kitchen which features pure black granite

refrigerator with a glass front and second built-in refrigerator in the utility hall next to the kitchen.

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Vero Beach 32963 / October 2, 2014 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 65

The utility hall leads to a fully equipped laundry room, the utility room and the door to the 2-car 24-foot by 24-foot attached garage.

The kitchen also features a walk-in pantry and a passageway that leads

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REAL ESTATE

back to the front gallery, passing a handy powder room on the left, which is accessible from the living room, gallery, kitchen and family room.

At the end of the gallery opposite the kitchen, to the right upon coming in the front door, is a suite of guest or children’s bedrooms. A door separates the two rooms from the rest of the house,

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

Vero Beach 32963 / October 2, 2014

REAL ESTATE

making the rooms more private. Both large bedrooms have and walk-in closets and full baths. There is some beautiful tile work in the bathrooms.

The lavish master suite is located at the back of the house in the bedroom wing, accessible via a vestibule that opened off the living room.

The 22-foot by 15-foot bedroom has an octagonal coffered ceiling with indirect lighting, plantation shutters and French doors that lead out onto the terrace.

There are two walk-in closets and the master bath features a large shower, jetted soaking tub and dual vanities in a roomy floor plan.

Across the terrace from the French doors that open the master bedroom to the pool area is a separate guest cabana with a private entrance. It includes a large bedroom and full bath, immediately adjacent to the pool.

This room would be an ideal mother-in-law suite or could be set up as an office, art studio or exercise room.

John’s Island is the most prominent club community on the barrier island and club members have access to three 18-hole championship golf courses and a tennis center with 18 Har-tru courts. There are squash courts, croquet lawns, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a 50,000-square-foot beach club.

According to John’s Island Real Estate, the Beach Club includes “an 89foot illusion pool for lap or recreational swimming, a pool deck, lounge area and wading pool, poolside and beachside service and walk-up window with kid friendly menus, the Island Room and Ocean Hearth offering indoor

and outdoor dining, Rafters, a casual ocean bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean serving breakfast and lunch menus with tapas throughout the evening, outdoor, oceanside living room with fireplace, a library complete with a cozy fireplace, billiards, game tables and a media room with internet-cable, and the Cave, a teen center open 7 days/week with WiFi, Wii, XBox, Netflix, 60” HD TV, computer access, ping pong, and food service.” 

VITAL STATISTICS: 228 ISLAND CREEK DRIVE Subdivision: John’s Island Year built: 2000 Style: Georgian Size: 5,624 total square feet Lot size: .41 acre Views: Golf course and lake views Additional features: Swimming pool, en suite guest cabana, upgraded gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances and wine refrigerator, hardwood floors, covered terrace overlooking lake and golf course Listing agency: John’s Island Real Estate Company Listing price: $3,300,000

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Vero Beach 32963 / October 2, 2014

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NEWS about an hour and 15 minutes before the murder.

“They followed one another in and talked,” Prosecutor Bakkedahl said.

“Then, they followed one another out.”

One by one, witnesses gave evidence that placed men who met the description of Jones and Robinson nearer and nearer to the Simpson’s Central Beach home as the time of the murder got closer.

One witness, who was fishing under the Barber Bridge, saw a motor scooter parked there that resembled the description of Jones’ scooter.

Another witness saw two young men, who met the description of Jones and Robinson, walking through a park near the bridge.

Yet another witness saw two men walking on Date Palm a few blocks from the Simpson house. As in the other descriptions, they were young, slim black men – one with dreads tucked in a tight ponytail like Darius, the other with short hair like Jones.

A neighbor of the Simpsons’ said that his two bikes were stolen off the front porch minutes before Brian was killed.

A police officer said he found the bikes after the murder, dumped near where the motor scooter was seen under the bridge.

The Simpson’s next door neighbor said he saw a tall, slender person – whom he thought was a young woman because of the dreads “pulled back in a bun” – circling on a bike in front of the Simpson home, right before the time of the murder.

The neighbor told his son: “Lock the doors when I leave. I think that’s a lookout for a robbery.”

Then, the neighbor who lives directly behind the Simpsons, heard a popping sound like a gun and a crashing sound coming from the Simpson home at about 6:43 PM on the night of Nov. 17th, 2011.

She called 911 and reported it, and police arrived at the Simpson house in about 10 minutes.

At this point, as police described what they found, Kristen Simpson doubled over in her seat, her head falling to her knees.

Subsequent photos showed the backyard gate to the Simpson home open, the kitchen window open with the screen askew, the back sliding doors open and the bathroom window open.

Then, came one of the photos that Kristen Simpson had so dreaded: Her husband crumpled on his side at the foot of their bed, the American flag he had grabbed wrapped around his feet.

“He had no pulse,” said a police officer on the stand, as Kristen’s body heaved in sorrow.

As the trial continued, the circumstantial evidence built: A jewelry box stolen from the Simpson home was found in the possession of Henry Lee Jones as well as a gun bag that linked to the murder, according to witnesses. Shoe prints in the yard matched the prints of Jones’ Nike tennis shoes.

He sold jewelry that belonged to the Simpsons.

Possession of stolen goods is not proof of murder, countered defense attorneys. A lot of people have those Nikes.

And there was more to come. Defense attorneys produced a jailed witness who said that Robinson told him: “Henry wasn’t there when the guy was shot.”

Further, defense attorneys pointed

to examples of Robinson lying when police first arrested him.

What remains for jurors to decide is: How credible is Robinson, and do any of the doubts the defense has attempted to raise add up to reasonable doubt, and warrant a not-guilty verdict?

As the trial continues, those questions are expected to be answered by the end of the week. 

Exclusively John’s Island NEW CONSTRUCTION! Rarely available and sited on a quiet cul-de-sac street is this timeless 4BR/5.5BA retreat showcasing extraordinary fairway and lake views. Quality construction and expert detailing compliment this 5,600± GSF retreat designed by Harry Howle and built by Croom Construction. Features include a coffered ceiling living room with fireplace, pool, gourmet island kitchen adjoining the family room, summer porch with fireplace, office, luxurious master suite, and attic storage. 391 Llwyd’s Lane : $3,450,000

three championship golf courses health & fitness center

: 18

har -tru courts

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beach club

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squash

: croquet : private club community : vertical membership 772.231.0900 : Vero Beach, FL : www. JohnsIslandRealEstate.com

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9/28/14 10:41 PM

110 Properties Sold/Under Contract Since January 2014

John’s Island is the place where everyone wants to be. A luxurious, seaside community full of people who– like you–have a zest for the good life, and enjoy the legendary family-oriented lifestyle. Over 1,650± private, pristine acres. Three miles of sandy beach. Nine miles of Intracoastal Waterway. And world-class amenities including three championship golf courses, 18 Har-Tru tennis courts, professional squash and croquet, health & fitness center and more! Come discover why John’s Island is simply the right place to be.

Exclusively John’s Island | w w w.JohnsIslandRealEstate.com

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Robert M. Gibb, Broker : Judy Bramson : Jeannette W. Mahaney : Ba Stone : Terry Crowley : Michael Merrill : Kristen Yoshitani Open 7 days a week : One John’s Island Drive : Vero Beach, Florida 32963

Exclusively John’s Island

Exceptional 3BR Norman Jaffe Designed Contemporary Retreat

Exquisitely Detailed 5BR/5.5BA Waterfront Home, Boat Dock

Immaculate 4BR/4.5BA Family Retreat On Cul-de-sac

6,798± GSF, Gem Island, Pool, Dock, Stunning Water Views

6,325± SF, Private JI Sound Views, Lush Gardens, Pool & Spa

5,624± GSF, Best Fairway & Lake Views In John’s Island

Cedar Vaulted Ceilings, Custom Stone Floors, 2 Fireplaces, Must See!

Dining Room, Bonus Office, Storage Room, Custom Millwork

Gourmet Island Kitchen, Wet Bar, Guest Cabana, Pool

90 Tortoise Way : $3,775,000

240 Coconut Palm Road : $3,565,000

228 Island Creek Drive : $3,300,000

Private, Meticulous 3BR/3BA Family Home With Pool

Desirable .6± Acre Homesite On Indian Lake

Beautiful 3BR/2BA End-Unit Condominium

3,150± SF, Lush Golf Views, Bright Interiors, Island Kitchen

Enjoy Superb South/Southeastern Water Views

2,000± SF, Oceanfront Views, Enclosed Lanai

Vaulted Beamed Ceiling Living Room With Fireplace

Private Location Along Quiet Cul-de-sac Street

Pool, Private Beach Access, Bright Interiors

490 Sea Oak Drive : $1,250,000

791 Shady Lake Lane : $875,000

700 Beach Road #156 : $825,000

Exquisitely Renovated 2BR/2BA Oceanfront Condominium

Exquisitely Renovated 3BR/2.5BA Tennis Townhouse

Island House – Beautifully Furnished 1BR/1BA Studio

1,700± SF, Stunning Ocean Views, Pool & Beach Access

2,100+ SF, Conveniently Near Club, Gourmet Kitchen

590± SF, Frank Lincoln Interiors, Custom Millwork, Pool

Hardwood Floors, Custom Built-Ins & Finishes, Open Kitchen

Next To Tennis Courts & Café, Single-Car Garage

Next To Beach Club, Private Beach, Great Rental!

550 Beach Road #321 : $775,000

111 John’s Island Dr. #18 : $725,000

400 Beach Road #124 : $195,000

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It’s your lifetime. Spend it wisely.