Right at home at Casa Villagio

Sothebys International Realty agent Susan Wright recalls that when she and husband Bob, then of Southport, Conn., were shopping for a Palm Beach home in 2005, they knew exactly what they wanted.

We were looking for charm, Susan says. We wanted an apartment in a smaller building with cozy comfortable rooms and a nice outdoor space, and after a long time of looking, we found this. The first time I saw it, I said, This is it.

The it in question turned out to be Suite A at Casa Villagio, a historic four-unit condominium building at 342 Cocoanut Row in the lake block near the corner of Australian Avenue.

At that point, the Wrights werent living on the island full time, but now that they are, they need a little bit more space, Susan says.

If we werent here full time, we wouldnt think at all about selling, she explains.

As owner-agent, she is offering the apartment for sale at $2.15 million. It comprises a living area of 1,730 square feet, plus two patios, which add another 736 square feet.

Casa Villagio is a Mediterranean-style complex built in 1924 and renovated by its previous owners. The Wrights own one of the first-floor apartments, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The unit also has covered parking for one car.

Susan completely remodeled the master bathroom, but other than that, she made only a few changes, including the removal of built-in bookcases, and the addition of freestanding cabinets in the living room and the library.

The apartment looks quite different because of the way its furnished, she recalls, but the gigantic whirlpool tub in the master bathroom felt like you needed a ladder to get in and out of. I never used it.

She replaced the tub with an expansive shower, and she also did away with the bathrooms false ceiling, which is now on a par with other 10-foot ceilings in the unit.

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Right at home at Casa Villagio