NORTH CAPE MAY — A sun-drenched corner lot overlooking the beach and Delaware Bay sounds like a great start to any dream, and in this case it would be even better to stay awake for the sparkling cottage at 401 Beach Drive in North Cape May (The Other Beach Drive).
This home has been polished to a perfect, smooth finish, with every detail figured out beforehand. What was once a typical modest ranch house has been tweaked to provide comfort and practical advantages throughout the year.
Take for example the front door: it’s been moved to the side, and what might have once been a front porch has meandered around the corner of the home as well, in a way that not only makes better use of the interior floor plan but also protects from the fierce breezes off the bay for much of the year.
No more fighting to get the storm door open in a near-squall in winter, and this arrangement adds a view of Beach Drive and Whittier Avenue.
Views are important here, because this little spot in North Cape May is secretly one of the most scenic in the county. Shipping lanes amble past the jetties and dunes of Cape May County’s west coast; the waters of Delaware Bay can be as calm as a mirror or a piercing Baltic blue from one moment to the next.
As the seasons change, the character of the bay changes with it, offering free entertainment on a winter’s day but never getting quite as riled up as the Atlantic side (luckily for the baysiders, the tendency is for Nor’easters in January and February, so the worst of it will be felt by the barrier islands a few miles east).
On a clear day one can see to Rehoboth, Del., but on a muggy day there are certain fascinating optical quirks that make the lighthouses of the shoals suddenly pop out of the haze before they vanish again.
The internet has recently discovered Fata Morgana, the optical illusion that makes it appear like ships are sailing above the horizon, but that’s a typical Tuesday morning along Delaware Bay. This is the coast for artists, writers and dreamers.
But even wild, nature-loving artists need to sleep, and the house at 401 Beach Drive has three bedrooms to choose from, curving around the southern side of the house away from passing cars or beach-goers to ensure privacy and quiet.
The largest bedroom has the view of the beach, the middle bedroom has more privacy and a view, and the smallest bedroom has doors to the backyard so one can greet the day without hesitation and walk straight out into the sunrise.
Since this home was built in 1950, certain amenities are guaranteed: closets, a floor plan that is sensible and provides the smoothest possible use of every one of the 1,219 square feet of space without blocking a window or door, and the right amount of quiet when needed.
A recent addition on the back also shows sense and imagination: while the elegant dining area is closest to the front of the home, the kitchen occupies what used to be the back corner, leading to French doors that open to an amazing surprise: a family room/sitting room with cathedral ceilings, sliding doors to the back deck, more views and a gas fireplace.
This is the spot for family nights when one must be indoors (yuletide holidays must be spectacular here), but the invitation is always there to spill out into the simple yet spacious backyard.
The lot is 80 x 125 feet, totaling 10,000 square feet, so “spacious” feels like an understatement. One could adapt this space for a garden, bocce courts, swimming pool or simply continue as it is: a design so simple it requires almost no upkeep.
The old-fashioned idea of a beach house that doesn’t demand endless weeding, watering and mowing is alive and well, although it’s been redesigned along more modern lines.
Perhaps huge lots and small cottages have fallen out of favor in our mad, consumerist, more-is-more society, but this home makes a compelling case for the re-imagining of the path less taken.
For one thing, the house is actually beautiful inside, with gleaming floors of high-end vinyl that looks like wood but wears much better under salt and sand.
The kitchen is a particular standout, second only to the sitting room: its sparkling granite countertops and vintage-inspired white cabinets create an unusually efficient workspace without feeling cold or sterile.
Its location makes it the command center with views of almost every part of the home, property and beach. Built-in dining space is off to the side, making it a perfect place for children or guests to be near but not underfoot.
While we’ve all seen our fair share of white houses, something about this one is both warm and glowing. The recently upgraded bath echoes the subtle vintage tone. Although visually warm, there’s no worry about the summer heat, as brand new HVAC is seamlessly integrated throughout.
A laundry room off the kitchen ensures the actual work is as easy as can be, but even that room is more attractive than many laundry rooms.
Every change to this home was done with care and an eye for style, which makes sense when the location is so filled with visually arresting sights, as it must attract those who love a certain kind of simple yet compelling aesthetic.
This home is definitely worth the trip off the beaten path, in a neighborhood that is somehow minutes from everything fun yet a million miles from the hassle.
There’s more to see and learn about this home, which is offered furnished and ready to move in.
