SEAVILLE — The year-round community of Upper Township provides value for buyers’ housing dollars, as evidenced by the fabulous home at 14 Caledonia Drive in the Seaville section.
The 3,800-square-foot ranch-style home features four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, an amazing living room with a soaring cathedral ceiling, a luxury kitchen with space for a couple of chefs, a dark-wood office and partially finished basement on manicured grounds with lush green grass and scattered oak trees for just more than $1 million.
By contrast, the same $1 million will buy a three-bedroom first-floor condo four blocks from the beach in Ocean City or four-bedroom townhouse or condo about the same distance away in Sea Isle City.
While living on the barrier islands is attractive for many reasons, there are just as many benefits to life offshore with a short drive to the beach, and back to the quiet, tree-lined streets of home.
“This magnificent custom ranch is ideally situated in one of Seaville’s most prestigious neighborhoods and offers more than 3,800 square feet of beautifully designed living space,” listing agent Burt Wilkins said.
The one-story stucco home has a large, meticulously maintained lawn that calls to even a grown man to make grass angels. A concrete drive on the right leads up to a two-car garage, where a couple of storage closets hint at the immense amount available in the home and a set of stairs provides access to the basement.
A walkway leads up to the covered front porch, where double doors with leaded glass beneath a transom open into the foyer.
Inside, the home unfolds into an expansive open-concept living area featuring soaring ceilings, rich hardwood and stone flooring.
The living room is straight ahead, with an entrance from either side. The wall separating the spaces has multiple cutouts to allow light to flow between them. It also creates little nooks for decor.
A sliding glass door to either side of an entertainment center opens onto the back patio overlooking the expansive yard and line of trees. Above, windows match the peaked ceiling, filling the area with light.
“A gas fireplace anchors the elegant-yet-inviting space —perfect for both everyday living and sophisticated entertaining,” Wilkins said.
A granite-topped counter with stools partially separates the living room from the kitchen.
“At the heart of the home is a spectacular chef’s kitchen designed to impress, showcasing custom white cabinetry, striking black granite countertops and a dramatic window wall that serves as a stunning natural-light backsplash,” Wilkins said.
Premium Wolf, Sub-Zero and Thermador appliances, an oversized center island and a separate breakfast bar with additional seating create the ultimate culinary and gathering space.
Alongside the foyer, the home also features a formal dining room with tray ceiling, ideal for hosting holidays and special occasions. A triple window overlooks the front yard.
Off the kitchen, a laundry room with cabinets and a sink adds convenience to the main level. There’s also a powder room and access to the garage in this corner.
Just off the kitchen on the back, a screened porch and adjoining patio provide the perfect setting for relaxing or dining outdoors while overlooking the professionally landscaped and meticulously manicured rear yard.
Left of the foyer is the private library or office complete with custom built-in cherry cabinetry.
The four bedrooms are all on this end of the home. The main level is highlighted by a spacious primary suite offering a large walk-in closet and a luxurious ensuite bath with dual vanities, tiled shower and whirlpool tub.
Two additional generously sized bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet, share a well-appointed hall bath.
Carpeted stairs descend to the basement, which is the full footprint of the house. About 900 square feet is finished, offering a large family room and gym area, plus an additional bedroom with a full bath and walk-in closet — ideal for guests or extended family. An additional 2,000+ square feet of unfinished space offers incredible potential for storage or future expansion.
Additional features include an oversized two-car garage with interior access to both levels of the home and a large attic for added storage.
“This exceptional property custom built by Scott Georgetti offers comfort, space and refined living in a highly desirable location,” Wilkins said.
Upper Township is a bedroom community with access to beach towns including Ocean City and Sea Isle City, as well as its own island, Strathmere, and a beach and county park on Great Egg Harbor Bay.
It has highly regarded primary, elementary and middle schools and is a sending district to Ocean City High School, known for its academics and athletics as well as oceanfront playing field.
Many of the student athletes live in the township, where abundant recreation programs prepare them for the demands of high school sports in the Cape-Atlantic League.
The township also has several historic buildings and sites, including the Colonial Era Tuckahoe Inn just down the street. A marker at the beach celebrates the story of sisters Rebecca Stillwell Willetts and Sarah Stillwell, who according to legend played their part in the Revolutionary War by firing a cannon at approaching longboats filled with British soldiers intent on pillaging the village’s stores. The marker is part of the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
