The Vera Bradley Bed and Breakfast, once owned and designed by Vera Bradley Co-Founder Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, has been listed at $6.5 million with Corcoran Reverie, a high-end real estate brokerage and an affiliate of Corcoran Group LLC. The towering, two-story veranda located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, brings to life the essence of the seaside luxury lifestyle combining antebellum architecture and coastal interior design elements.
The house features an expansive rooftop deck, providing unparalleled views of the Gulf of Mexico, and is within walking distance to dining, shopping, and beaches. As the epitome of all things Southern charm, it is the perfect place to escape with friends and family. This home offers the ultimate entertainment space with multiple sitting rooms, plenty of porch space, and the ideal setting to cook for large parties.
Built in 1991, 38 Seaside Avenue was destined to provide comfort, relaxation, and quality time with family. This is exactly what Barbara Bradley Baekgaard had in mind when she first opened the home for business as the “Vera Bradley Bed and Breakfast” in 2007. With an astounding nine bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms, guests from all over the country came to stay and admire the vibrant, themed property, which showcased some of the most iconic Vera Bradley patterns. Room themes included the key lime, true blue, posies, sunset patterns, and more. Since then, after several attempts to revive the Inn to its former glory, the home fell into foreclosure in 2011.
Typically, this home would have been torn down and replaced with a larger and more modern home, but luxury agent Cindy Cole of Corcoran Reverie had other plans to save a piece of town history. She reached out to the current owners who jumped at the opportunity to save and renovate the home.
“When I showed them the old Vera Bradley Inn, we didn’t even go inside,” said luxury agent Cindy Cole of Corcoran Reverie. “It was in terrible shape, but the guys bought it from the street based on location, historic significance, and a desire to do something good for the town where they loved to vacation. They have spent years lovingly restoring it to a more current look and feel. I finally talked them into letting someone else own and love it.” The owners had the goal of ensuring this historic seaside cottage would continue the regional building tradition and contribute to giving Seaside’s neighborhoods the coherence, cohesion, and strong sense of place that characterizes such towns as Charleston, Savannah, Nantucket, and Cape May.
Whether it is for a weekend, a week, or a lifetime, Seaside must be savored long enough to let time slow down and allow cares to float away on a balmy breeze. This can only be done through extended porch-sitting, leisurely strolling, and sharing time with those you care about most in a way that late-20th-century urban existence rarely allows. 38 Seaside does just that with lengthy porches on each tier and almost every side of the house. Anywhere you sit in this 5,400 square foot home offers a peace and tranquility that can only be offered in this quaint spot of Seaside, FL.
The grand interior of the eight-bedroom, eight-bath main house does not disappoint, displaying a perfect balance of high-end finishes and traditional, livable Seaside style. The updated, modern gourmet kitchen is complete with a Thermador range and marble countertops. Each of the eight unique bedrooms displays seasonless versatility, private ensuites, and personal wet bars. A separate carriage house with two guest suites, separate kitchenettes, and separate sitting rooms is nestled on the property and can be rented separately from the main house. 38 Seaside Avenue exudes a classic yet impactful style with all the comforts of home, making it ideal for any size family or a large group gathering.
With the goal of keeping tasteful antique touches in honor of its historical significance, the owners were able to keep the original flooring, staircase, fireplaces, and some furnishings from the Vera Bradley Bed and Breakfast, creating a warm and inviting feel. “With this being one of the most iconic homes in Seaside, FL, based on its history and prominent location, we are thrilled to bring this home to the market,” says Owner Jacob Watkins of Corcoran Reverie.
“This home is the epitome of why new urbanism was developed,” Hilary Farnum-Fasth, Co-Owner and Broker of Corcoran Reverie, adds, “with nine bedrooms, 38 Seaside Avenue allows families to gather at the beach and easily access the shops and restaurants.” The town of Seaside is a favorite among tourists and locals alike. The charming houses, adorable town center, and gorgeous beaches make Seaside one of the most popular travel destinations in the area.
This quaint and comforting home offers an entertaining escape to the breathtaking sugar-white beaches and emerald-green waters of Seaside, Florida. From soothing surfs to charming walking paths and cool Gulf breezes, Seaside is your gateway to idyllic adventure. In addition to only being a four-minute walk to the beach, this home is also just steps away from the Town Square where they shot the “The Truman Show,” starring Academy Award Winner, Jim Carrey.
Fun Fact: 38 Seaside Avenue is showcased as the backdrop in the 1998 Paramount Film. Unsurprisingly, the property is one of many places from the film that people still visit today — adding to its appeal as a lucrative vacation rental. Other places guests can visit include Truman’s house, Ruskin Place, Modica Market, and more!
Whether you are looking for a primary or secondary home to host large gatherings or a unique investment opportunity, 38 Seaside Avenue offers unparalleled amenities for everyone to enjoy. For more information and images on this listing click here.