OCEAN CITY — With sincere apologies to all of the other great homes on the island, the yearling at 178 W. Atlantic Blvd. is my favorite.
The multilevel beauty is directly across from the channel out of Whale’s Tale Lagoon and into the open Great Egg Harbor Bay, providing a bay view second to none from the sheltered deep-water anchorage.
“You get the sunrise to the north and sunset to the south and west,” listing agent Patrick Halliday said.
The location in one of the most exclusive sections of the island and its accompanying exceptional view and boating access are just part of the picture. It has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a powder room, as well as many other bonus rooms and gathering area large and small.
The exterior of the home, with its cedar shake siding just starting to take on its finely aged appearance, is a work of art, featuring high-quality woods such as ipe decking and mahogany doors and porch ceilings.
Architecturally interesting, the home’s cedar-sided arches with flared bottoms create a rustic yet cozy gathering area atop bluestone under the rear porch, for those seeking some shade. Those seeking sun, of course, can relax on the giant rear deck where a large hot tub is just steps away from the floating boat docks.
Buck Custom Homes used the highest-quality materials both inside and outside in every aspect of construction, employing extraordinary attention to detail.
Inside, wide-plank oak flooring is used predominantly throughout the house, with the exception of some tiled areas in the baths. There also is floor-to-ceiling wainscoting and shiplap covering every inch of the entire home, making it an amazing work of art in its own right.
“This breathtaking waterfront oasis is appointed with the finest finishes throughout including cedar shake siding and cedar roof, custom-built cabinetry, hand-carved trim work and rich hardwood floors,” Halliday said.
I haven’t even gotten started on the bells and whistles yet.
Out front, patches of manicured grass are spotted with steppingstones to each side of the paver brick drive in front of the two-car garage.
A long set of ipe steps ascends to the front porch, which has the same mix of rustic and cozy as well as being very inviting with its rope-hung swing. The entryway is made up of a wide door flanked by side panels. Above, the transom has the address etched in glass. Overhead, the tongue and groove mahogany ceiling completes the scene.
The home has multiple entries, including one just behind the front steps into the ground floor.
A door in the sheltered entryway opens into a foyer with bluestone flooring sporting radiant heat. The quality and craftsmanship are immediately evident in the fine wainscoting and tongue and groove ceiling. Even the bottom of the stairs to the right have oak treads, creating an interesting optical effect.
This level includes the “rod room,” which has fishing poles lining two walls and plenty of gear storage, a “surf bath” with a farmhouse sink and shower and a laundry room … on the way to the cabana room.
Opening onto the back patio, this room has 6-by-36-inch tile flooring that appears amazingly like distressed hardwood planks. A sectional sofa and several chairs are arranged in front of built-in casing with a pair of televisions that recess into the cabinets when the third one in the middle is sufficient.
There also are two bedrooms — one set up as an office with a Murphey bed — a full bathroom and powder room.
Up above off the porch, the second foyer offers the first look at the handsome oak flooring, as well as the water visible through the living room. Stairs lead up, while a hallway leads toward the lagoon and another to the left.
The second floor includes a gourmet chef’s kitchen, spacious living room and dining area and a wide bayfront porch where screens can drop down at the touch of a button in case a greenhead comes along.
The kitchen has a huge center island with a walnut slab top. Five stools line one side, within reach of the wet bar. Custom cabinets with marble counters and a subway tile backsplash wrap around the room. Appliances include a six-burner Wolf range with dual ovens beneath an impressive hood, a Miele dishwasher to the right of the Shaws farmhouse sink, a Sharp microwave drawer in the island and a Sub-Zero side-by-side refrigerator/freezer.
Just steps away, the dining area and living room encompass the back half of this floor. On the left, an extra-long table that seats 10+ rests beneath a chandelier hanging from the coffered ceiling.
On the right, a full masonry chimney on the wood-burning fireplace commands attention. A sofa and several easy chairs are centered around the wide-screen television above the mantel.
Double sliding glass doors open almost the entire width of the house, providing access to a covered porch with that singular view right out the channel.
Atop another flight of stairs is the home’s library on the landing, complete with a rolling ladder and intelligent collection of books.
There are two junior master suites and a laundry room in the front, while the master bedroom is in the back to take advantage of the best view in the house.
The master suite has a king-size bed beneath a peaked ceiling planked in tongue and groove and a pair of sliding glass doors opening onto a private deck. A stained glass window above features a sailboat scene.
Two leather recliners face one wall, where more built-in cabinets include a television nook.
The master bath has a marble tile floor and custom-built marble vanity with dual sinks, as well as a huge steam shower and claw-foot bathtub.