A lot of us crave the quiet beach getaway that made Old Florida legendary. It's harder to find since 30A has grown in popularity, but it can still be found if you know where to look. 278 Savelle Drive is an all-concrete constructed home located in Gulf Trace, a gated subdivision that's surrounded by the untouched beauty of Grayton Beach State Park. It has private beach access buffered by coastal dune lakes on either side providing an uncrowded beach for an HOA fee of only $1,000 annually. It combines that secluded feel with a location that's minutes from Grayton Beach, Seaside, and Watercolor. It's one of those rare subdivisions that offers the best of both worlds: easy access to all of the action along 30A, and privacy that makes you feel tucked miles away. 278 Savelle stands out among the homes of Gulf Trace with its prominent gulf views over the state park, all concrete block construction, home elevator, and true 3-car garage (nearly impossible to find south of 30A.) The pool area is uniquely large for 30A. It has a 30'x15' heated pool, 5'x5' spa with granite water feature, and over 1,400sq/ft of fenced-in pavered patio area surrounding it. Another thing that many 30A homes lack is adequate parking, but not 278 Savelle Drive. Along with the 3-car garage there's room for 8+ additional cars in the driveway. This home also has a sizable fenced-in backyard that borders the state park along with a 500+sq/ft covered patio equipped with a built-in outdoor kitchen.
The home backs up to the state park which makes a great neighbor! The lack of buildings/development due to the state park means you can hear the waves crashing from the second floor balcony. I have really enjoyed sitting outside at this home and listening to all of the nature happening around me with birds chirping in the trees and squirrels chasing each other through the branches while the rhythm of breaking waves plays in the distance. This home has a uniquely peaceful atmosphere that stands out in my decade of selling real estate on 30A. The deer from the park seem to agree, we frequently see them grazing along 278 Savelle's fence line and sometimes even sleeping with their fawns underneath the magnolia tree in the backyard.
When I think about 278 Savelle Drive the quality of construction stands out to me. It's all concrete block, and over 90% of homes in the area are not concrete. Of those that are, many choose to have concrete only on the first floor because it's an expensive building material. 278 Savelle Drive is all concrete, which benefits you in several ways. First, it means much lower insurance premiums (the owners currently pay $12,600 annually for homeowners insurance.) Second, it means that your utilities bills are lower due to the increased insulation and energy efficiency that concrete provides. Finally, it goes without saying that concrete construction is rated for higher winds and is a superior building material for withstanding storms when compared to the usual stick-frame construction that's common here on the Emerald Coast. Additionally, it has a home elevator that services all four levels, and it's smart home enabled with Control4 and surround sound. It also has whole home security cameras, a true 3-car garage, and every bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom and a private balcony (many of which have gulf views.)
The floor plan's flow is well thought out. Along the exterior is the three-car garage. It has access to three separate spaces: 1) the gunite-coated heated pool and spa 2) the 500sq/ft covered patio with built-in gas kitchen, 3) and the side door entrance to the home. There's also a full bathroom outside that serves as the pool bath. It makes it much easier to keep the house clean! It's a great place to shower off before throwing your sandy bathing suits into the first-floor laundry after a beach day. Finally, there's a lockable 12'x8' storage room with sturdy shelving and Control4 activated lights for easy storage of all things outdoors.
The first floor is designed to be a large mudroom and ideal landing area. It has the walk-in laundry room, home elevator, and a storage closet under the stairs that also serves as the audio/video hub for the smart home and Control4 features. The stairwell has floor-to-ceiling windows on all levels, so as you ascend in the home you get increasingly beautiful views of the state park and the Gulf of America.
The second floor hosts the main living area and also three guest bedrooms each with their own ensuite full bath and private balcony. The centerpiece of the second story is the living room with its combination of shiplapped and wainscoted walls that rise up to an impressive 28' apex. It has an ample number of windows that usher natural light into the space and provide views of the Gulf and state park. It's also crowned with one of the most unique features I've ever seen in a home. Hanging from the ceiling is a life boat that's been converted into a light fixture. This isn't just some decorative piece, it's an actual life boat that saved a man from a shipwreck, and he would only sell it to the builder on condition that he preserve it and do something cool with it. I'd say the builder held up his end of the bargain.
The kitchen has a large island topped with polished granite, an ideal natural stone due to its resistance to stains (superior to marble in that aspect) and its durability. The bar has seating for up to six people and the nearby dining room table has seating for ten. The kitchen also has a 60" Wolf range with six burners and a griddle, custom cabinetry with dovetail joints (the gold standard of construction for cabinetry), stainless steel refrigerator, wine cooler, dual dishwashers, and an extra wide stainless steel sink. It's framed in by lighting mounted under the cabinets and a myriad of custom wood finishes. There's also a half bath located directly off the living room and kitchen area, so a guest never has to intrude by going through a bedroom to get to a bathroom.
Also off the main living area is the second floor balcony which spans the length of the home and provides enough space for even a large group to sit or dine comfortably. This is one of my favorite spaces in the house. I can hear the waves rolling onto shore in the distance while birds chirp in the trees of the state park. It faces Southwest, ideal for Summer sunsets. It makes for a perfect indoor/outdoor entertainment setup with its convenient location directly off the kitchen and living room.
On the third floor the primary suite, a large home office with a built-in wet bar and gulf views, as well as an additional guest bedroom. The primary suite has its own wet bar complete with a refrigerator and ice maker. It's a cool hidden feature since it's paneled to look like cabinetry. The space also has a custom designed closet, a private balcony with gulf views, and a large ensuite bathroom. The primary bath has a massive walk-in shower complete with dual showerheads and an additional rain-style showerhead. It also has a bathtub, a full body length wall-mounted mirror, and his-and-hers style separate vanities.
The fourth floor, or the penthouse suite as it's lovingly referred to, is the newest addition to the home. It was added in 2017 to further capture the views across the state park, and it also gets excellent sunsets (particularly in the Summer.) It has a king sized bed, private wet bar, ensuite bath with dual vanities and walk-in shower, and it's accessible by elevator.
278 Savelle Drive is located in the gated neighborhood of Gulf Trace. It boasts private beach access and it's surrounded on all sides by Grayton Beach State Park. It's less than 3 miles from Seaside, Watercolor, and Grayton Beach but due to the state park it feels natural, secluded, and private. It's the perfect location for the discerning buyer who wants to be in the middle of the action on 30A but also have a quiet haven to retreat to when they're ready to relax, all for an HOA fee of only $1,000 annually.
