There’s nothing mediocre about this SoSo villa, located three doors down from South Flagler Drive and the Lake Worth Lagoon at 124 Churchill Road.
SoSo might seem like an ironic nickname for one of the most desirable corners of town. This historic and scenic neighborhood, which extends south from Southern Boulevard (hence the portmanteau) to the canal that forms the border with Lake Worth Beach, boasts something beyond just beautiful homes, shops, and restaurants: it epitomizes the timeless, place-defining sensibilities of West Palm Beach life.
Along the vibrant residential blocks extending to the Lake Worth Lagoon is 124 Churchill Road, a c.1925 Mediterranean Revival villa just three houses down from South Flagler Drive and, beyond it, the Lake Worth Lagoon. In fact, its property once extended all the way to the lake, but a later owner sold off most of the land to the east. Along with its stellar location, the house sits on an oversized lot and is set well back from the road.
Built in the same classic and grand 1920s style championed by Palm Beach society architect Addison Mizner, the 6,003-square-foot home offers four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and one partial bathroom — and boy, does that powder room pop. Previously known as Villa Delle Palme, the home twice has served as the annual Red Cross Designer’s Show House, in 1993 and again in 2014, a big fundraiser for the charity’s Palm Beach Treasure Coast chapter.
The home has been fully restored and modernized in a way that preserves its historic charm and architectural details. It features a mix of marble and hardwood flooring, Palladian windows, a barrel tile roof (on the guesthouse, too), mature palm trees, beamed ceilings, and wrought iron details. Modern touches include a whole-house generator, five-zone air conditioning, and new impact-resistant windows that flood the home with bright natural light.
The grounds have plenty of room for both a pool and a covered loggia, which sit on the east side of the yard, and a guesthouse on the west side. It features a three-bay garage on the ground floor and a one-bedroom apartment with a living room and full kitchen upstairs.
The two-story great room features living and dining areas and three sets of French doors that open to the outside. The kitchen, which has a breakfast area, features top-level appliances, double doors that open to the loggia, and an island with seating and a second sink. The kitchen flows easily into the adjacent family room. This main level also holds a gracious entry foyer, a gallery, a library, a wet bar, and a home office.
Upstairs, the deluxe primary bedroom suite is in its own wing, with dual walk-in closets and spa-like bathrooms. There are two more ensuite bedrooms on this level along with a balcony overlooking the great room.