Pelican Retreat cottage is located in the boating community of Useppa Island. The 110-acre Sanctuary is a private community and members-only club. With no need for gates or walls, it is surrounded by water, in the pristine Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor aquatic preserves of Southwest Florida. Geographically it is in the same chain of barrier islands as Sanibel-Captiva, visible to the south, although one island east of the Gulf of America. Accessible only by boat (or aircraft), the commute to the mainland is in a special class of its own. Just a 15 minute joyful boat ride will deliver you to Boca Grande or Pine Island, and thence to all “civilized” conveniences of the mainland. The commute is special in a way that you will never tire of it. Just think-you are not stuck in traffic, or waiting for a light to change, fretting over the packed roads ahead. You are just watching the dolphins play and the birds dive, waving to passing boats with smiling passengers, and all of them wave with more than one finger-joyfully! Yes, not like the mainland! You might be sitting next to one of your Useppa neighbors, the one that has not been in a grocery store for months, because all their goods are delivered to the Shore Port, where the staff will transport them to the island, and her home. Who said it is inconvenient when you don’t have roads? And this beautiful home will let you join the ranks of the lucky who have already landed on Useppa as a lifestyle choice. Located on the southern end of the island, along the historic Pink Path and overlooking the Sound, you can keep an eye on your boat at the dock just behind the house. Pelican Retreat has an inverted floor plan with the living areas and master suite on the top floor, enabling views of the sunrise, the water and a nearby Osprey nest from the kitchen, living-dining rooms and primary bedroom. All are immediately accessible to a screened lanai protected by the best hurricane shutters. As a backup, all the glass in the home is impact rated for fierce winds. The interior features hardwood flooring, granite kitchen countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The lower floor includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a den for serious TV fans, and also opens up to a huge open deck with gas grill, storage room/shop and wide water views. Again, good quality finishes throughout. A special feature of this turnkey home is the nearly new Roche Bobois furnishings that dominate the living areas, complemented with other high-quality pieces. Over the past few years, the home has enjoyed the highest levels of care, with a new roof, generator, and up-to-date HVAC and mechanicals. Located in the AE8 flood zone and appropriately elevated by pilings, the home has been unaffected by the near-historic storm surges of the past couple of years. Lastly, when you move into this home, you will be joining a community of like-minded island dwellers who value the environment, lifestyle and community rarely found elsewhere.
