Designed in 1996 by Carl and Johanna Loth, this New Smyrna Beach waterfront home was built as the ideal retirement residence: it includes a solar-heated indoor swimming pool, generous entertaining spaces for family and friends, and immediate access to boating waters and the Atlantic shoreline. Located on a 100-by-100-foot lot on the west side of an east-coast barrier island, the property is now offered for sale at $775,000.
The five-bedroom, four-bath, 3,200-square-foot house was planned for comfortable one-floor living, with a second-floor area reserved for guests. The oversized three-car garage and workshop provide ample storage, while the private dock, ramp and float support boating and water access. Over the years the Loths hosted many family celebrations here; now the property is ready for a new owner to enjoy the lifestyle it was built for.
As you enter, the foyer opens into a spacious living room with a soaring cathedral ceiling and a loft above. Bamboo planks cover the main living floors, creating a warm coastal look that flows into the adjacent dining area and kitchen. Carl Loth, an avid family baker, laid out the kitchen for both function and convenience: a granite-topped island separates the kitchen from the waterfront family room, and the kitchen features top-name appliances, abundant storage in the island, and practical touches such as boiling water and ice water at the sink. A central vacuum system allows you to sweep kitchen debris directly away from the floor.
The waterfront family room, with tile floors and a gas-log fireplace, opens toward the pool and offers a wet bar for entertaining. Large sliding glass doors provide direct access to the enclosed, solar-heated pool enclosure from the living room, master bedroom, family room and the exterior. The indoor pool was a daily ritual for Johanna Loth and remains one of the home’s defining features, ideal for year-round swimming and leisure.
On the first floor, two bedrooms sit on the opposite side of the house from the main living area. The master suite features bamboo floors, a private bath with a glass shower and sliding doors that frame a view to the pool. A full guest bath also opens directly to the pool area, making the outdoor space convenient for guests and swimmers.
Upstairs, a loft sitting room overlooks the living room below and provides a quiet guest retreat. The second floor includes three bedrooms: one carpeted bedroom with a small private bath and two additional bedrooms that share a full bath—making this wing suitable for visitors or family stays.
Boating was an important part of life here. The Loths kept a Hurricane deckboat in the boathouse at the end of the wood dock and stored one of Carl’s handcrafted wood runabouts on davits. While water depths at the dock are sufficient for these family vessels, they are not exceptionally deep, so prospective boat owners should confirm draft requirements. The property’s location makes day-cruising easy: the family often explored Ponce de Leon Inlet and the Halifax River (Intracoastal Waterway), and favorite local stops included JB’s Fish Camp about a mile south. Numerous creeks, canals and Mosquito Lagoon are all within comfortable day-trip distance.
Wildlife viewing is part of the appeal. The family frequently watched dolphins and manatees in the creek behind the house, and evening sunsets over the water can be especially dramatic, offering peaceful waterfront living and scenic coastal vistas.
Built of stucco-covered concrete block, the home is practical and low-maintenance. Mechanical features include ceiling fans, two heating/cooling units, central air conditioning and the central vacuum system. The property is served by city water and sewer. Taxes were approximately $8,200 in 2012; homestead and other exemptions available to a new owner will affect current tax obligations.
The property is listed by Margie Lints of Magnolia Properties, phone 855-262-9056 or 855-302-5741. Website: www.magnoliaproperties.net
December 2014 issue