OCEAN CITY — The sights and sounds of the pounding surf just a clam shell’s throw away are absolutely the highlight of the custom home at 325 Ocean Road, but there is a lot of competition for that top spot.
Offering five bedrooms and four bathrooms with a powder room on three floors, there is plenty of space in the 3,550-square-foot single to accommodate a growing family’s needs.
But there’s a whole lot more to this property than bedrooms and baths. In fact, it’s the gathering areas and their entertainment potential that give the location a run for its money, followed closely by the top-notch materials and high-end amenities.
The expansive estate in the popular Gardens section of the resort offers ocean views from decks off two floors and has five decks in all, each with a mahogany plank ceiling. It’s extras such as that one that put this property over the top.
Out front, the handsome home features a Belgian bluestone walkway dividing the lush, green lawn on its way to the covered front porch. Ornamental trees and mulched beds with shrubs flank the walkway.
The home, which is sided in cedar-impression vinyl with brick accents, has a central tower with a wing to each side.
Stamped concrete steps lead up to the porch, which has an open area to the right perfect for sitting to enjoy a cold drink after a long day on the beach.
Stacked stone surrounds a solid mahogany front door with side panels, which opens into the formal foyer.
The quality of the materials and craftsmanship are immediately evident in the fine red oak hardwood flooring, mahogany interior doors and shadow box wainscoting.
Mahogany plays a lead role in the aesthetic of the home, with the three-stop elevator just to the left paneled in the rich wood, as well as baseboard, chair rail and crown molding throughout.
The first floor features the main living room — which has an 18-foot-high cathedral ceiling open to the landing above — dining room and kitchen in the right half and an in-law suite with a private sitting room, bedroom and bathroom in the left half.
A knee wall separates the main hall with the elevator and stairs to the second floor from the living room to the right. A triple window in the front and double on the side on both levels make the are light and bright. There’s a gas fireplace and piano just inside the front windows.
Two round pillars, matching those on the front porch and alongside the living room, announce the entrance to the dining room, which features a large wood table with seating for six beneath a chandelier hanging from the tray ceiling.
Just steps away, the kitchen has abundant blue Omega cabinets with white stone tops and a tile backsplash. The two-level center island has a couple of stools for casual dining or overflow, as well as a Sharp microwave drawer. Appliances include a four-burner Viking range and hood, a 36-inch Thermador refrigerator and a KitchenAid dishwasher to the left of the two-basin sink.
A hall off the kitchen leads to the laundry room and garage, which has a stamped concrete floor and wall-mounted heater, as well as a workbench and desk.
The suite to the left consists of a living room in the front with an electric fireplace and enough space for a sofa and chairs. Double French doors open onto a private front deck. In the rear, the bedroom has a king-size bed, closet with double bi-fold doors and full bathroom with a tiled shower and Windsor sink that is also accessible from the hallway.
Atop the stairs is a large landing with narrow-plank hardwood flooring matching the first floor. There are three bedrooms, including the large master suite in the rear, offering a private deck with an ocean view and hot tub. It has a king-size bed, walk-in closet with its own cedar closet and a full bathroom with a tiled shower, Jacuzzi-style tub and vanity with dual sinks.
The third floor features a fantastic den with a fireplace and a kitchenette with a deli counter. Out back, there is yet another deck, this one providing the best views in the house.
There also is a multipurpose area that includes a work out area with cardio exercise equipment and a universal weight machine, an office and children’s bedroom.
Out back are the oversized one-car garage with storage and man cave, a three-season room with a full bar and television for enjoying the Eagles — possibly into the playoffs.
Extras include a whole-house generator, dual water heaters and a three-zone HVAC system. There also is an outside bathroom with heating and cooling and a shower.
Built in 2005, the home has an intercom and security system.
The home is among the winding, pedestrian-friendly streets of the Gardens, which is a destination rather than a thoroughfare, but close enough to the boardwalk attractions that the scent of caramel popcorn, pizza and other treats wafts by on the gentle breeze.
The beach and boardwalk — 2.5 miles of oceanfront entertainment, restaurants, thrill rides and souvenir shops — get most of the attention in this seaside resort, but the island has much more to offer.
An award-winning downtown stretches from Sixth to 14th streets along Bay Avenue and has expanded onto other nearby streets, offering more than 100 shops and cafes. There’s also the popular watersports district around Third Street on Bay Avenue, where the brave can rent powerboats, go parasailing, join the crew of a pirate ship and take a kayak tour of the back bays. Private and party boat fishing tours are also available.
The property is listed for $3,899,999 with Jim O’Neill of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Fox & Roach Realtors. Call (609) 287-3570 james.oneill@foxroach.com for more information or to set up an appointment to see this wonderful home.
