Nestled within the aquatic embrace of the Intracoastal Waterway and shrouded by the venerable hand of history, the 1940s Floridian home of esteemed DIY sage Bob Vila and his scholarly spouse, former Harvard professor Diana Barrett, arises like a phoenix fashioned from marble and cypress. Their domicile, a harmonious blend of yesteryear’s charm and today’s exigencies, stands as a testament to the couple’s role as custodians of architectural heritage. After acquiring the abode from Barrett’s ancestral lineage, the duo embarked upon a meticulous year-long transformation, artfully preserving the original spirit of the space whilst weaving in contemporary threads—a rejuvenated roof, a modern electrical lifeline, and expanded chambers that conversed with the main artery of the home.
The Vila-Barrett sanctuary, an H-shaped marvel with a latticework of tradition and renovation, unfurls across 6,300 square feet of elegance. Seven chambers for rest and resplendence, a loggia adorned with monochromatic marble splendor, and a pool terrace boasting hues of sunset and shell beckon the discerning soul. Beyond the unassuming brick façade, a vista of aqueous grandeur strikes visitors with the full force of the sublime, the demure exterior a mere prelude to the majesty within.
Girdled by a tropical embrace and sentinel palms that whisper tales from the 1950s, the royal garden curated by Vila’s green-thumbed fervor houses nature’s own jewels—Ylang Ylang blooms, delicate orchids, and indigenous flora. Here, celebrations have rippled through time; also, the quietude of domestic bliss.
Mounted on the market’s stage with an invitation of $52.9 million, according to The Wall Street Journal, this waterfront haven, touched gently by the sunrise, extends its intimate vistas and unrivaled lineage to a prospective steward. The sanctum, a testament to Palm Beach enduring appeal, awaits the next chronicle in its storied existence, its architectural poetry and garden symphony poised for a new age’s embrace.
