105 Waterside Drive, Lafayette, LA 70503 (MLS# 23003343)

This contemporary, elegant home sits high above the Vermilion River on 4.9 acres in stately Fernewood subdivision. Designed by a team of distinguished architects and designers, the 3-split-level house opens with a tall mahogany and beveled glass entrance into a large living room. A 2-story wall of windows shows sweeping views of the lawn down to the river and adjoining cypress swamp. On the left wall is a fascinating two-sided aquarium of sea-life, which opens on the other side into a full bar painted as if under water. Beyond that is a hall way to the laundry room, elevator, and 3-car air-conditioned garage. To the right of the living room is a mahogany office with a wall of bookcases and a full bathroom, allowing alternate use as a bedroom. The foyer staircase curves up to the 2nd level landing and continues up to the balcony over the living room, sharing the floor to ceiling views. The dining room, kitchen, pantry, wine cellar, elevator, and family room are on the second level. The square dining room has a pyramid ceiling, an authentic Art Deco era hotel chandelier, two walls of floor to ceiling windows and two walls of inset glass shelving of crystal glassware. Between the dining room and the kitchen are the 2500+ bottle walk-in wine cellar, the elevator, and a full butler's pantry with a storeroom and half bath. The kitchen is a chef's delight boasting a dual-fuel cook top, 3 ovens, an inside grill (yes!), a commercial refrigerator, and an 8' x 6' solid piece granite-top island. There is ample storage in the floor-to-ceiling white oak cabinetry where a library ladder runs the length. A former open deck was closed into a family room. When entertaining, this room and the kitchen can be separated by a hidden wall system of sliding floor-to-ceiling white oak panels. Beyond the 3rd level balcony is a vestibule into the generous principal suite. It has the bedroom with a fireplace and view of the always-interesting cypress swamp, plus an outdoor balcony. The luxurious bathroom, with onyx countertops and heated flooring, has 2 of everything expected, plus a walk-in steam shower. An expertly designed closet for two was built in a 19' x 19' room, and spare room with a half bath has served as both a library and a child's bedroom. On the 1st floor level exists a suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large sitting room with a kitchenette. An exterior door steps onto the arch-and-column back porch facing the cypress swamp. A fireplace and ceiling heat lamps allow year-round use. On the other end of the house is an open breezeway leading to a gazebo and outdoor staircase up to the family room. It is underneath the family room, off the breezeway below, that there is another bedroom, bathroom and bonus room considered under-roof yet outdoor. Along the ivy garden wall is a tool shed, half bath, and a hidden closet for deliveries. Built along the river is a staircase down to an open deck, continuing to a ramp down to the floating dock, with a mooring capacity of 22' by 9'. This perfectly designed and constructed house cleverly disguises numerous hidden cabinets and has a few other wonderful features!

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