Designed by Eric Watson, whose impressive portfolio of over 80 homes and buildings along Scenic Highway 30A has fetched him multiple awards and special recognition, this Gulf-front home in The Retreat greets the street with one of the most memorable facades in the exclusive, gated neighborhood. Its ground-level entrance leads upstairs to a luxurious great room with elevated, red painted ceiling spanned by rich wood beams. An octagonal dining room table accented by a beaded chandelier bisects the space, dividing the living room with fireplace from the striking kitchen. Dark stained hardwood floors balance the ceiling detail and anchor the two-toned, antique finish kitchen cabinets, finished with black granitE counters and mosaic checkerboard backsplash tile. Professional-grade stainless steel appliances equip the space. The great room gives way through a series of French doors to a generous porch with paver floor that overlooks the beach and Gulf of Mexico. The partially covered space is perfect for sun-bathing or dining al fresco. All Gulf-facing French doors feature automated roll-down hurricane shutters. Now restricted by the HOA, its hurricane shutters are grandfathered in and are a rare find on a home for sale in The Retreat. A secondary stairwell off the kitchen leads downstairs to a second entrance off the semi-attached two-car garage and serves as a semi-private entrance to the bedroom suite over the garage, as well as to a ground-floor bonus room that can be used as a play room, exercise room, or outfit to serve as separate guest quarters. It also provides access to a covered outdoor storage space. Upstairs from the great room is the master bedroom with private bath and generous covered porch, as well as two guest bedrooms, each with its own private bath, and one of which features a covered porch that mirrors the one offered by the master bedroom. $4,750 new buyer fee and .5% of purchase price is due at closing. HOA dues are $4750 annually.