Surfside Paradise

There are some amazing properties tucked away on Nantucket. The estate at 3 Pochick Avenue in Surfside is just one of these. It is a retreat that offers all of the amenities and then some. It is a spot where, literally, you can escape from the world.

Pochick Avenue is an avenue in name only. It is really a long driveway. By the time you reach your destination at Number 3 you have a sense of magnificent solitude, totally set apart from anyone else. Surfside Beach is less than a mile away, but you are on your own little island.

The house in front of you is grand but not grandiose. That it was built for comfort and fun becomes evident as soon as you enter the foyer with its Italian stone floor. Directly in front of you is the living room and beyond , through a wall of windows, you have a grand vista of the swimming pool area.

Depending on the time of year and even the time of day, the focus of the living room will change. During summer days, it serves as an adjunct to the pool. In the evenings and during cooler times of the year, the fireplace is the center of attention.

To the right, the large gourmet kitchen and adjacent dining area also overlook the pool. The kitchen, with its warm granite countertops and light cabinetry, is an inviting place to prepare either gourmet meals or simple snacks. As with the entire house, the attention to detail adds to the enjoyment. From the retractable towel racks to the spice cabinet, the second dishwasher and the large pantry, nothing has been overlooked.

At the other end of the living room, pocket doors lead to a large library and den where the wall of cabinets and bookcases provides a special ambiance. There is a barsink and also a desk built into the cabinetry.

A hallway leads to two bedroom suites. Both are large. Both have lots of closet space and private baths. However, only one, the true master suite, has the distinction of having French doors overlooking and leading to the swimming pool. Off the hallway, is the first of the three laundry facilities.

It is worth noting that the powder room, off the front hall, has a very unusual, vaulted, wooden ceiling.

At either end of the upstairs hallway, notable for its curved banister, there are two more bedrooms. As their downstairs counterparts, each has a private bath and lots of places to keep things. Each is also big enough to incorporate a separate sitting area, which might also make a perfect play area for youngsters

The lower level is where the fun really begins. The stairs open into a large family room with a pool table and fieldstone fireplace. At one end, there is a separate wine cellar with a tasting table, a bath with a separate steam room and shower, and the second laundry, as well as a mechanical room dominated by two very large hot water heaters. Two additional bedrooms are also adjacent to the family room.

At the other end of the room, a doorway leads to a separate, fully equipped bar area. From here a doorway leads outside to a small, very private, brick patio enclosed by terraced landscaping. More importantly, another door leads to the movie theater. Perhaps 12 people can enjoy the show in the luxury of couches and easy chairs, enveloped by the sounds from the stereo sound system.

When you tire of the indoor pleasures, you can move right on outside to the pool. The flagstone "deck" has plenty of room for lounging between dips, and the cabana with its sitting area, sound system, complete kitchen, powder room and laundry, has everything you need to make your outdoor life perfect. For the barbecuer, an adjacent out-door grill, with a direct propane feed, granite counter and sink, is as good as it gets.

The best feature of the entire pool area may be the two outdoor showers, each with a separate dressing area, on either side of the cabana.

If you are looking for more active pursuits, there is an allweather tennis court hidden in the woods beyond the pool. There are also basketball hoops, as well as a batting cage and a pitcher's mound to help you hone your skills for the World Series.

An easement provides a path to the beach, should you choose to reenter the world.

The entire house is "smart-wired" to meet today's communications needs. Naturally, there is central air conditioning and a full irrigation system. There is also a substantial storage shed.

If you decide you need more, there is about 700 sq. feet of ground cover still available on the 2.35 acre property and an eight bedroom septic system.

This spectacular, fully equipped retreat, with six bedrooms and five full- and two half-baths and with all the creature comforts is offered, mostly furnished, for $5,400,000. I