John's Island in Florida LINKLiving Winter 2012

ecord sales of $38 million in

November alone. Seventy-eight

properties sold or under contract

for 2011. These eye-popping num-

bers give credence to a resurgent

Florida real estate market. But even more, they speak

volumes about this remarkable, family-oriented

private community surrounded by water.

John’s Island is located just north of the quaint sea-

side town of Vero Beach, an unspoiled, quiet gem rat-

ed by Money magazine as one of America’s Best Small

Towns. You won’t find jai alai, horse races, or crowds

of tourists on the beaches or the roadways. Instead

you will find the charm of Old Florida still intact.

It’s not surprising that sales soared here. Real estate

values at this fully member-owned community stayed

steady during the worst years of the housing market.

At a time when many clubs continue to tighten

their reins, John’s Island keeps making improvements

to what is an already spectacular community. Just a

few years back, a brand new oceanfront Beach Club

opened to great acclaim. The high-tech Fitness Center,

a favorite of members, debuted about the same time.

This summer the West clubhouse underwent a $3 mil-

lion total renovation.

They say that privacy is the greatest luxury at this

1,650-acre exclusive community, but the luxurious,

world-class amenities certainly give that highly prized

asset a run for its money. No less than Pete Dye, Jack

John’s Island

ABOVE: Every residencetakes advantage of itsnatural surroundings.OPPOSITE: 381-yard18th, West CourseBELOW: 411-yard 17th,North Course

With three miles of undisturbed oceanfront, unparalleled privacy, and Old Florida charm, this member-owned communitysets the standard for a casual, yet sophisticated, lifestyle

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Nicklaus, and Tom Fazio created the three champi-

onship golf courses. This is the only gated community

in South Florida with both North American doubles

and singles squash courts (air conditioned, of course).

The Tennis Facility has 18 Har-Tru courts with the

nice tradition of all-white attire. Members enjoy three

great clubhouses with superb dining. From the jacket-

and-tie elegance of the Oak Room to the festive pub

vibe at Rafters and the casual atmosphere at the Beach

Club, Chef John Farnsworth’s emphasis is on fresh

and organic.

The golf at John’s Island is just as remarkable. Two

of the courses are in the heart of the island and run

north and south from their shared clubhouse at the

Golf Club. The Nicklaus/Dye South Course is the

club’s original and brings many of the island’s lakes

into play. Dye’s North Course, surrounded by water,

offers spectacular views of the sound. Both are out-

standing courses wonderfully set in the midst of the

island’s natural beauty.

But it is the West Course, six miles or about a

10-minute drive from John’s Island, that really grabs

your attention. Set on 300 acres with its own clubhouse,

but without a home to intrude on the serenity, it is a

singular, pure golf experience. Fazio’s design is also the

more difficult test of golf among the club’s three cours-

es. Perennially ranked among the country’s most chal-

lenging courses, the 6,828-yard layout gives members a

place to get away for an unfettered day of golf.

John’s Island is as family oriented as it is golf orient-

ed. A unique vertical membership program allows

members’ children and parents to play golf (or make

use of any of the amenities or social benefits) under

their membership without paying an additional fee.

During school vacation times, the club organizes every

manner of kid-friendly entertainment, from family

trivia nights to Minute to Win It competitions, cupcake

decorating, and kayaking trips to observe sea turtles.

One of the places everyone in the family will want

to spend lots of time is at the Beach Club. There’s not

a bad seat in the house, as the ocean seems visible

from nearly every single one of its 50,500 square feet.

Swaying palms and an abundance of comfortable

seating surround the illusion pool, which incorporates

a lap pool overlooking the Atlantic. This is the place

TOP: 161-yard 16th, North Course

ABOVE: Privacy is oneof the greatest luxuries

on this 1,650-acre barrier island.

WINTER 20122 LINKSliving


members come to relax, to celebrate, and to play.

No matter how dazzling the amenities, it quickly

becomes obvious that it is the people who make John’s

Island the eclectic, unpretentious, close-knit community it

is. Many of the sales here are by word-of-mouth. Younger

families are attracted to the dynamic lifestyle, too. The

current average buyer is in their 50s.

For members, the lifestyle extends well beyond their

barrier island. They love to get involved in the Vero

Beach community, which for a little seaside town has

quite a bit to offer. The Riverside Theater, Vero Beach

Museum of Art, and the excellent medical care are just

a few of the things members love about it.

Befitting the setting, the homes on John’s Island

are exquisite, luxurious, and in perfect harmony with

their surroundings. Available homes

range from luxury estates to oceanfront

condominiums to golf course cottages,

priced from $1 to $15 million. Select

homesites are also available.

ABOVE: The Beach Cluboffers panoramic viewsof the Atlantic Ocean.LEFT: Members enjoythree miles of privatecoastline. BELOW: The casualRafters bar is a favorite gathering spot for members and their guests.

John’s IslandOne John’s Island DriveVero Beach, Fla. 32963

800.327.3153 JohnsIslandRealEstate.com

SOUTHPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,567

YEAR FOUNDED: 1969ARCHITECTS:

Jack Nicklaus/Pete Dye

NORTHPAR: 71 YARDAGE: 6,782

YEAR FOUNDED: 1973ARCHITECT: Pete Dye

WESTPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,828

YEAR FOUNDED: 1998ARCHITECT: Tom Fazio

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LINKSliving 3


381-yard 18th, West Course

JOHN’S ISLANDOne John’s Island DriveVero Beach, Fla. 32963

800.327.3153 JohnsIslandRealEstate.com


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John's Island in Florida LINKLiving Winter 2012