From House To Home

In the mid-20th century, even before Atlantic City grew into its latest incarnation as a vacation destination, its famous boardwalk sizzled with the stuff of childhood fantasy, and it was the “must-go” summer destination for teens.

In 1979, Gus Pahides, a food distribution business owner, purchased a two-story contemporary vacation home to enjoy with his family. It was situated among the dunes of Seapoint in Brigantine, across the inlet from Atlantic City and received heavy use through the years.

Today, Seapoint’s memory-making family vacation homes are being updated or replaced. Some have changed hands, but Pahides, now retired, enlisted two daughters, Andrea Cosmas and Helene Vellios, to help him build a new family beach home for his grandchildren. Oliveri & Associates of Collingswood designed the new home over the original footprint and added a third story.

Brigantine-based builder Ralph Busco, AlisonPaul Builders, faced challenges during demolition and initial construction, particularly installation of the pilings. There was very limited clearance on the narrow lot, but they worked around and over the pool, without damaging it.

Vellios and Cosmas helped their father choose the elements and finishes of a relaxed, refined beach home, suitable for a full-time residence. The exterior is a pleasing blend of contemporary forms with a hint of colonial influence and seaside cottage landscaping. Durable exterior shake-style siding was chosen.

In 4,500 square feet there are eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a powder room. The first floor consists of an open family room with kitchenette to service the pool area, a laundry room, and children’s bedrooms. The main living/family room, dining room, and three bedrooms are on the second floor. The master suite and two additional bedroom suites share the top floor.

Adult family members share kitchen duties, stirring sauce at the Thermador range top and pulling groceries from abundant cold and pantry storage. Buffet barbecue meals are enjoyed at numerous indoor and outdoor dining spaces; youngest members of the tribe preferring kitchen bar seating.

Most dramatic is the heavily windowed east wall, past which a floating stairway rises like sails between floors toward soaring ceilings. Sight of the inlet, the Atlantic City skyline, and the ocean beyond the dunes is never lost on that side of the dwelling. “People remark about the windows,” says Vellios. “The house faces the sunset on the front, and the sunrise over the ocean out back.”

An elevator gives the head of the family easy access to all floors and the master suite, with its bathroom of marble, granite, and Italian inlay flooring. Push-button window cover operation assures privacy at the round tub.

The sisters’ participation brought about a space-efficient home that offers privacy for their large family. Décor of gentle blues, warming yellows, and fresh white trim support relaxed elegance against a backdrop of stunning views, their father’s legacy.

“It’s totally different from the original home—a wonderful family place,” says Cosmas. “For my dad to watch the house going up again and now to see the young grandchildren here—it’s fun for him.”