Summerplace, an Old Florida seaside community in Vero Beach, Florida Established 1960 Share this page:

Summerplace
in Vero Beach, Florida
Established 1960

On April 30, 1961, the Miami Herald published a story about Summerplace in Vero Beach titled “Developers With A Soul,” touting “a natural way of life, a change of pace.”

Summerplace was the vision of developers Anthony Drexel Duke and John J. Morrison.

Anthony Drexel Duke was descended from three American dynasties – his father from the family that founded the American Tobacco Company and endowed Duke University. His mother an offspring of the Drexel and Biddle banking dynasties in Philadelphia.   Despite his distinguished heritage, Duke was known for his humility, philanthropy and lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for disadvantaged children.

Duke met John J. Morrison in Fort Lauderdale, where the two formed a friendship built on shared values. Duke owned the Summerplace property and asked Morrison to co-develop it. Morrison moved his young family to Vero Beach to guide the development, marketing and sales of the new community.

Although Summerplace represented only one chapter in their remarkable lives, it reflected the values they shared.

Morrison later became a respected Indian River County civic leader, contributing to agriculture, conservation, hospital governance and growth management. Among his most enduring legacies was his leadership in establishing the height restrictions that continue to protect the character and skyline of Vero Beach and Indian River County.

More than 60 years later, Summerplace still offers the “natural way of life, a change of pace” envisioned by its founders.

Many of the early 1960s cottages are renovated and tucked into the natural landscape alongside newer homes. The roads are still shell lanes shaded by towering oak trees and all homes in Summerplace have deeded beach access to the Atlantic Ocean.

Summerplace residents come from all walks of life.  It’s an eclectic mix of professions and histories but the unifying factors are neighbors as friends and a laid-back, easy-going lifestyle.

 

Summerplace Notables

Robert Hazard – musician and composer best known for composing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”.  Here’s original recording.  After his passing, Robert's family kept the home in Summerplace.
 

Brad Domke – world famous skimboarder noted for riding the biggest wave ever on a skimboard. Here's video, it’s epic.  Between adventures, Brad returns to visit family in Summerplace.
 

NanciLee Wydra – author of 8 books on Feng Shui and original founder of the Feng Shui Institute of America.
 

Summerplace Properties Available for Purchase 

See Lots for Sale in Summerplace

See Homes for Sale in Summerplace

For details, or to schedule a showing, contact:
Tyler Fox, REALTOR, phone or text (772) 538-3733 or email tfox@sorensenrealestate.com  

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Written by Elisabeth (Lil) Miller-Fox
Member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors, Miller-Fox was VP of Marketing at John's Island, Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club and Windsor before co-founding PrivateCommunities Registry, Inc. in 1996.  Miller-Fox invests in residential real estate in the local Vero Beach & Sebastian market.