Born in the Caribbean Islands, West Indies architecture perfectly blends contemporary and traditional styles to inspire indoor/outdoor living. From large wooden verandahs and cathedral ceilings to transitional exteriors, this coastal style is like a breath of fresh air. While West Indies architecture has been around since the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, its ability to capture ocean breezes has made it a popular choice for homes along Florida’s Atlantic coastline, especially at Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this timeless architectural style so appealing.

What is West Indies Architecture?

West Indies architecture is known for its distinguished symmetry, with beautiful columns, louvers, doors, and windows configured in relation to a central axis. High ceilings with dark wood beam details are not only appealing, but encourage warmer air to rise, and cool breezes to flow through the interior. Large French doors and beautifully arched windows provide beautiful focal points that bring the outside in. West Indies architecture is also known for its inviting outdoor living areas, with clean lines and covered porches that maximize the ocean breeze.

As the interior designer for both of Orchid Island’s Clubhouses, Spectrum Design President and Founder Susan Smith has witnessed consistent demand for West Indies design throughout the coastal Florida region. “West Indies architecture and design styles have remained in constant demand for the last 20 to 25 years along Vero Beach. It captures the area’s natural beauty in the same way it did in the colonial days.”

West Indies Architecture Meets Sunlit Shores

Just off the sandy shores of the Atlantic coastline, Orchid Island’s private Beach Club was the first building within the community to feature the West Indies style. Large windows and open-air balconies overlook the swimming pool, private cabanas, and beach walkover. Entire walls open up to large verandas that offer views of the ocean, bringing in the sound of gently lapping waves and the feeling of refreshing coastal breezes. On the inside, interior design firm Spectrum Design created a warm, inviting space that has withstood the test of time and won numerous design awards. The use of batik fabrics creates colorful accents with multiple colors and patterns, adding a touch of East Asian flair to the design.

“The Beach Club’s West Indies design evokes the feeling of an exotic destination,” shared Smith. “It’s bringing that vacation resort – like you’ve traveled to the West Indies or the Far East – to your backyard. I haven’t seen any club that has been able to replicate that.”

Golf, River, and Oceanfront Homes Capture Soft Breezes

As one of the first Beach Clubs in the area, West Indies architecture became the personality that set the stage for Orchid Island’s distinctive collection of 30+ golf, ocean, and riverfront homes and 66 oceanfront condos. 375 properties each feature West Indies architectural design, with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and beautiful outdoor living areas with panoramic natural vistas. Luxurious oceanfront condominiums and oceanfront estates are spacious and bright with open Atlantic Ocean views. A wide array of single-family riverfront estates offer unobstructed Indian River views, and many feature private docks. Golf course homes and cottages are tucked away on private cul-de-sacs and winding streets to maintain open views of the lush fairways and sparkling lakes of its distinctive Arnold Palmer course. Real-time current listings are featured on the community’s website, OrchidIslandFL.com.

Timeless Island Living Surrounded by Nature’s Beauty

Embraced by a breathtaking ocean-to-river environment and surrounded by architecturally distinct homes, Orchid Island Members enjoy endless opportunities to enjoy a tropical vacation in their own backyard. The world-class Arnold Palmer golf course is the beloved centerpiece of the community and was the proud host of the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, every turn within this par-72 course welcomes exciting views of natural seaside landscapes teeming with wildlife. For the health focuses, a state-of-the-art fitness center, eight Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a spa ensure Members can look and feel their best. This charming seaside community, however, is filled with even more to discover outside the gates. Downtown Vero Beach and Ocean Drive are full of arts and culture, casual and fine dining, and boutique shopping waiting for residents to explore.

For those interested in learning more about this one-of-a-kind private club community, request a complimentary copy of the Orchid Island Magazine. This intriguing publication tells the story of the Vero Beach area and how nature coexists with the residents. If you’re in the area, schedule a visit to the Orchid Island Realty office for a community and club tour. Call 772.388.3888 for more information or visit OrchidIslandFL.com.

When people want to get away from it all, they head to Florida. And it’s no wonder—with fantastic weather and year-round fun, this place has it all. Vero Beach is a special hidden gem. The idyllic nature is hard to turn down, and the area gets a lot of repeat visitors. Indeed, once guests leave, they’re already planning their return trip. Orchid Island especially has a way of casting its spell.

The quaint seaside area is charming and eclectic. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the peace and nature here. Orchid Island residents know this state of relaxation well, whether they’re enjoying an afternoon with friends at the Beach Club pool or playing a round of golf on the Arnold Palmer—designed course.

This area holds a vast history behind it as well. From its role in Florida’s economy as a fruit grove sanctuary to the historic sites around town, there’s always a story to discover. Make sure to check out the Historic Jungle Trail for a piece of history that you can walk or bike along! There’s an entrance right next to the Orchid Island entry.

Residents of this private community get to be physical as much as they want, whether it’s by enjoying the private beach, working up a sweat at the fitness center or playing a match of tennis or pickleball.

Members of Orchid Island are lucky enough to call this amazing place home. Having served members and their families for over 25 years, this private community is committed to providing a level of service that stands out from the rest. Golfing here is unparalleled, as the 18-hole, Arnold Palmer—designed course not only is renowned among courses but also holds Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary status for its commitment to natural preservation. The recently renovated Beach Club serves as a gathering place for families and friends to reunite. Private club events and holiday celebrations are held in the dining room, and families enjoy fun in the sun along the Atlantic Ocean. Not to mention the resort-style pool and amenities such as tennis, pickleball, and a fitness center available to members. Even better, Orchid Island stretches from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Indian River.

Love the Vero Beach location? Request the inaugural issue of Orchid Island Lifestyles magazine here to learn more about the Vero Beach area, the Town of Orchid and how nature coexists with the residents.

If you’re in the area, stop by the Orchid Island Sales Center and see the community’s beauty for yourself. Call 772. 388.3888 for more information or visit OrchidIslandFL.com.

Luxury residential properties range from the $800s to over $10 million and include custom estate residences, courtyard homes, cottages and oceanfront condominiums. For a full list of available real estate at Orchid Island, visit our Real Estate page.

It’s no secret that at Orchid Island residents are always living on island time. From long walks on the beach to teeing off on the Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, Florida living often feels like a year-round vacation at Orchid Island. But it’s the on-trend West Indies architecture that truly embodies the Orchid Island lifestyle. With panoramic window views, covered porches and transitional exteriors, this style is like a breath of fresh air. Each clean line adds to the perfect blend of contemporary and traditional that the West Indies architecture brings. While there are unique and luxurious modern elements to the design, it is the quintessential island-casual lifestyle at Orchid Island that really makes it special.

Born in the Caribbean islands, the West Indies architecture is defined by beautiful columns, louvers, railings and shutters. The trendy style is known for its distinguished symmetry with rooms, doors and windows arranged with emphasis on a central axis. Like its high ceilings with beam detail, the architecture’s symmetry was designed to be more than just appealing. Both features create cross-ventilation for a cool tropical breeze. The design’s impact is stunning and offers a fresh airy style for every room. It wouldn’t be island time, though, if we didn’t spend countless hours outside, which is why we love the style’s inviting outdoor living areas. West Indies architecture brings life to our Orchid Island lifestyle. It comes as no surprise that it has been a distinguishing characteristic of the community.

When it comes to oceanfront living, many envision breathtaking views of the ocean, soft sand on our feet and the sound of waves gently rolling against the shore. All of which becomes an even more heightened experience when framed by the West Indies architecture of Orchid Island’s private Beach Club. Large windows and open-air balconies overlook the swimming pool, private cabanas and beach walkover. Entire walls open up to large verandas that offer views of the ocean, bringing the outside in.

Orchid Island is well-known for its cherished island way of life. The Beach Club’s intimate layout creates the perfect environment for a retreat getaway that never has to end. Orchid Island’s secluded beach offers more than a mile of private oceanfront, along with beachside services. Not to mention the resort-style pool and amenities such as tennis, pickleball and a fitness center available to members.

Residents enjoy the championship Arnold Palmer-designed golf course surrounded by incredible natural beauty and Audubon certified. Download the Golf Community Comparison Guide to see how Orchid Island stacks up against the others communities in the area.

Residents here enjoy this West Indies-like lifestyle, and you can too! Request your target=”blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>free Orchid Island Lifestyles magazine to learn about the area and everything else Orchid Island has to offer.