A highly anticipated residential development in Vero Beach is officially moving forward. The Vero Beach Planning and Zoning Board has unanimously approved the site plan for three upscale duplexes situated on a wooded, 0.85-acre parcel on the west side of A1A, nestled comfortably between Shore Drive and Tides Road in Central Beach.
Key Takeaway: Developer FTK Properties, LLC has secured municipal approval to build the Sea Winds Townhomes, consisting of six luxury, West Indies-style units situated just steps from the Atlantic Ocean. Each home is expected to hit the market with a price tag exceeding $1 million.
Project Scope and Design
The new Sea Winds Townhomes will feature six two-story residences, each offering three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. Designed by architect Greg Anderson—who previously designed the high-end townhomes at the nearby Surf Club—the buildings will showcase an elegant West Indies architectural style. According to Tyler Spencer, a senior project manager at LJA Engineering, construction is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with an estimated completion timeline of 18 months. No general contractor has been selected at this stage.
While the property is zoned residential multifamily high density (RM-13), which theoretically permits the construction of up to 11 dwelling units, the developer opted for a significantly lower-density approach. Instead of maximizing the lot, FTK Properties is building six spacious 2,500-square-foot units. This scaled-back design allows for notable property enhancements that prioritize luxury over volume:
- Private Outdoor Space: Each townhome will feature dedicated front-yard space, providing ample room for a landscaped garden or a small private pool.
- Generous Parking: While Vero Beach city codes require only two parking spots per unit, the developer is including a two-car garage plus an additional uncovered parking space for every residence.
Addressing Community and Infrastructure Needs
During the public hearing process, nearby residents raised understandable concerns regarding potential traffic impacts and neighborhood privacy, particularly given the proximity to existing businesses like Ikarta Concierge & Functional Medicine on the northwest corner. To mitigate traffic along the busy A1A corridor, the Florida Department of Transportation and local county codes prohibit direct vehicular ingress and egress onto the main highway. As a result, traffic will efficiently enter the development from the south via Shore Drive and exit to the north onto Tides Road.
The Vero Beach Planning and Zoning Board emphasized that the developer’s voluntary decision to build six units rather than the allowable 11 significantly minimizes potential traffic congestion. To further protect neighborhood privacy and maintain the area’s lush coastal charm, the site plan includes comprehensive environmental and acoustic buffers:
- Lush Landscaping: The western edge of the property will be lined with 10-foot-tall maple trees alongside a dense privacy hedge composed of hardy local species like Cocoplum and Buttonwood shrubs.
- Tree Preservation: Approximately 33 existing cabbage palms currently on the site will be carefully preserved and replanted along the property borders to maintain the natural canopy.
- Wildlife Monitoring: Following an initial gopher tortoise survey that located one abandoned burrow, a secondary comprehensive survey will be conducted prior to breaking ground.
Essential infrastructure additions will include five-foot vinyl fencing for added privacy, five-foot-wide sidewalks along the northern and southern borders, and a new wastewater lift station connecting directly to the City of Vero Beach Utilities main on Tides Road. The city will also supply the development’s drinking water.
Historical Context and Surrounding Real Estate
The land slated for the Sea Winds Townhomes boasts a notable local history. Originally platted as part of the Silver Shores Subdivision, the parcel was once owned by the Lost Tree Village Corporation, the original developers behind the prestigious John’s Island community. In 2003, the land was purchased by the late publishing executive, prominent philanthropist, and former Indian River Shores Mayor, Everett William “Bill” Kenyon.
Following his passing, the property was sold to FTK Properties in December 2022 by his wife, France Kenyon, who currently serves as the manager of the development company.
The upcoming luxury duplexes will sit directly across A1A from Vero Beach’s largest remaining piece of vacant oceanfront property. That highly coveted eight-acre tract remains zoned for tourist-oriented commercial use (C-1A), a designation that has fueled decades of unconfirmed rumors regarding luxury resort developments—underscoring the enduring value, exclusivity, and desirability of this prime Central Beach corridor.
