Cup of Joe with a Pro: Why Empty Nesters Are Upsizing in Vero Beach's New Luxury Homes

 

As the sun rises over the pristine shores of Vero Beach, Florida's Treasure Coast is buzzing with a fresh wave of luxury home design trends that are redefining how we live—especially for those entering their empty-nest phase. Drawing inspiration from insights shared by Chicago-based architect Bob Zuber of Morgante Wilson Architects in a recent interview, it's clear that wellness and entertaining are at the forefront of modern luxury living. But here on the Treasure Coast, these trends aren't just abstract ideas; they're being woven into the fabric of new homes by top builders like GHO Homes, Perry Homes, Ecclestone Signature Homes, and AR Homes. Let's dive into why empty nesters are bucking the downsizing tradition and how these local builders are making it happen with a coastal spin.

 

Traditionally, empty nesters traded spacious family homes for compact condos or retirement villas. But as Zuber points out, that's changing fast. "We're seeing that they are not downsizing as they get older," he explains. Instead, homeowners in their 60s and 70s are expanding their properties to create family destinations. Think summer getaways, long weekends, and holidays where kids and grandkids flock to "grandma and grandpa's house" instead of a separate vacation spot.

 

In Vero Beach, this makes perfect sense. With our year-round sunshine, world-class beaches, and proximity to natural preserves, the Treasure Coast is an ideal backdrop for multi-generational living. Higher home prices elsewhere mean adult children might skip buying their own vacation pads, opting instead to crash at the family estate. Builders here are responding by designing homes that feel like private resorts, complete with pools, playrooms, and bunk rooms to accommodate the whole clan.

 

Take GHO Homes, for instance. In communities like Seaglass and High Pointe in Vero Beach, they offer customizable floor plans with optional dens that can double as hobby or bunk rooms. Every home comes standard with a private screened pool, turning backyards into entertainment hubs for family barbecues or lazy afternoons by the water. Perry Homes, expanding rapidly in the region with spots like Glynlea Country Club in nearby Port St. Lucie, emphasizes resort-style amenities including championship golf courses and waterfront access—perfect for those large-scale gatherings Zuber describes.

 

Personal wellness is another pillar driving this upsizing trend, and it's hitting home hard in our coastal paradise. Zuber highlights the rise of meditation rooms, saunas, steam showers, cold plunges, and biophilic design—incorporating natural elements like sunlight, plants, and water sounds to foster calm and connection to the outdoors.

 

On the Treasure Coast, where the Atlantic breeze and lush landscapes are part of daily life, builders are integrating these features to create homes that nurture mind and body. Ecclestone Signature Homes, known for their work in Tesoro Club, crafts custom residences with serene views of lakes, golf courses, and nature preserves. Their designs often include flexible spaces for wellness retreats, like massage rooms or yoga areas with controlled lighting and outdoor vistas that block out distractions—aligning perfectly with Zuber's vision of peaceful, plant-infused sanctuaries.

 

AR Homes (Arthur Rutenberg Homes) takes it further with coastal-contemporary plans that emphasize seamless indoor-outdoor flow. In Vero Beach enclaves like Orchid Island and Indian River Shores, they offer options for spa-like master suites with steam showers and even kitchenettes for post-meditation tea. These aren't add-ons; they're core to the design, reflecting 2026 trends where wellness is infrastructure, not an extra.

 

Local market insights from experts like Vance Brinkerhoff echo this, noting demand for red-light saunas, cold plunges, and meditation rooms as buyers seek homes that support health in our balmy climate.

 

No luxury home trend would be complete without a nod to hosting, and Zuber nails it: "Pods"—two guest suites sharing a common sitting area—are booming for visiting families. Add in multiple bars (basement rec rooms, living areas, even primary suites) and "super pantries" that act like second kitchens, and you've got homes built for effortless entertaining.

 

In Vero Beach's gated communities, this translates to designs that blend sophistication with Treasure Coast casual. GHO Homes' Tailor Made Program lets buyers add guest pods or hobby spaces in developments like Lucaya Pointe, just minutes from downtown Vero and pristine beaches. Perry Homes incorporates formal bars and wine fridges in their open-concept layouts, ideal for dinner parties overlooking the St. Lucie River.

 

Ecclestone and AR Homes shine here too, with high-end cabinetry options for art deco or English pub-style bars in Tesoro Club homes. Super pantries? They're standard in these builds, often hidden behind elegant cabinetry with stainless steel appliances and sinks—keeping the main kitchen pristine for show while handling the real work. For pet-loving DINKs (dual-income, no kids), mudrooms with dog washes and runs are common, ensuring even furry family members get the luxury treatment.

 

Builders like GHO, Perry, Ecclestone, and AR Homes aren't just following trends—they're anticipating them. With customizable plans starting from the mid-$600Ks to over $4,0 M, they offer gated, low-maintenance lifestyles that appeal to affluent empty nesters relocating from busier parts of Florida or the Northeast. Communities boast clubhouses with fitness centers, trails, and pools, enhancing wellness and entertaining without leaving home.

 

As Zuber sums it up, "A house is a statement for how somebody wants to live." In Vero Beach, that statement is one of abundance, health, and family bonds, set against our stunning coastal backdrop. If you're an empty nester eyeing an upgrade, now's the time to explore—these trends are turning homes into legacies.

 

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