Living in Florida's Space Coast
Island Cove Condo
Island Cove is a gated riverfront condominium at 333 and 343 North Tropical Trail, just north of the SR 520 causeway on Merritt Island. Every unit here fronts the Indian River. The buildings went up in 1990, they are served by elevators and private garages underneath, and the community dock runs out over the water toward Cocoa Village.
Island Cove Condo In Merritt Island, Florida
Island Cove is two buildings at 333 and 343 North Tropical Trail, set on the Indian River just north of where SR 520 crosses onto Merritt Island. It was built in 1990 as a gated condominium and it has stayed one. Units run 1,428 to 2,302 square feet with two and three bedrooms, which is house sized rather than apartment sized, and each one comes with a private garage in the building rather than an assigned space in a lot.
The orientation is the whole point. The river is on the west side, so the living rooms and balconies face the sunset and look straight across the water at Cocoa Village. Owners here watch the Fourth of July fireworks from their own screened lanai. A community dock reaches out over the Indian River for fishing and for sitting, and the seawall has been rebuilt in recent years along with the roofs and exterior paint.
Inside, these are 1990 units that have been updated at very different rates. Common threads are wood burning fireplaces, wet bars, oversized primary suites with balcony access and walk in closets, in unit laundry, and storage rooms off the lanai. Motorized or accordion hurricane shutters appear on many of the balconies. Ground floor end units with two car garages are the rarest configuration and the ones people wait for.
Amenities are unusually complete for a community this size: a pool and hot tub, a clubhouse, a fitness room, a sauna, a grill area, the dock, semi private elevators and a whole building generator. Merritt Island is unincorporated Brevard County, so county code and county permitting govern here rather than a city's, and there is no municipal utility department to call.
Buy this the way you buy any Florida condominium of its age, which is to say by reading. Ask for the milestone inspection report, the structural integrity reserve study, the last two years of board minutes, the budget, the reserve schedule and the rules on pets and leasing. Florida requires a milestone structural inspection for condominium buildings of three or more habitable stories once they reach thirty years, then every ten years after. Units here have changed hands between $403,000 and $495,000, with about $425,000 typical.
Island Cove Condo At A Glance
Island Cove at a glance, from the seawall in.
| Detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Detail | Value |
| Location | 333 and 343 North Tropical Trail, north of SR 520, Merritt Island 32953 |
| Jurisdiction | Unincorporated Brevard County. County code, county permitting and county services apply, with no city government involved |
| Built | 1990, in two buildings |
| Home size | 1,428 to 2,302 square feet, about 1,863 typical |
| Lot size | Not applicable in the usual sense. This is a condominium, so the land is a common element of the community rather than a platted lot tied to each unit |
| Bedrooms | Two and three, with two and three baths |
| Construction | Multi story condominium buildings with elevators, garages under the building, replaced roofs and exterior paint, rebuilt seawall |
| Association | Yes. This is a condominium, governed by Island Cove Condominium Association. A Florida corporation of that name is on the state's active rolls. Dues apply and cover community services; no amount is published here |
| Waterfront | Direct Indian River frontage for the community, with river views from the units |
| Dock | A community dock extends out over the Indian River |
| Amenities | Pool, hot tub, clubhouse, fitness room, sauna, grill area, dock, semi private elevators, building generator |
| Gated | Yes, with controlled vehicle access off North Tropical Trail |
| Parking | Private garages, one and two car, integrated into the buildings |
| Utilities | County utilities. Confirm what the condominium documents include for water, sewer, trash, cable and internet |
| Inspections to request | Milestone inspection report and structural integrity reserve study, as Florida requires for condominium buildings of three or more habitable stories |
| Price range | $403,000 to $495,000, with roughly $425,000 typical |
Island Cove Condo Details
Sunset Side Of The Island
The buildings face west across the Indian River toward Cocoa Village, which means evening light on the balcony every day and a front row seat for the fireworks over the water each Fourth of July. East facing river condos on this island do not offer that.
House Sized Units
Between 1,428 and 2,302 square feet with two and three bedrooms, private garages and in unit laundry. People downsizing out of a Merritt Island house tend to land here rather than in a smaller stack because they can bring their furniture with them.
The Dock And The Seawall
A community dock runs out over the river for fishing and for sitting, and the seawall behind it has been rebuilt. Ask when, ask by whom, and ask what the reserve schedule now assumes for the next cycle. Waterfront structures are the expensive part of any riverfront community.
Gated, With Elevators
Controlled vehicle access off North Tropical Trail and semi private elevators serving the units. For anyone who locks up and travels for months at a time, that combination matters more than any amenity on the list.
Read Before You Write
Any Florida condominium of this vintage should be bought on paper first: milestone inspection, reserve study, minutes, budget, leasing and pet rules. Get them early. A condominium questionnaire also drives what a lender will and will not do on financing.
Minutes From Three Different Worlds
SR 520 is right there, which puts Cocoa Village across the river, Cocoa Beach and the Atlantic to the east, and Port Canaveral a short run north. Kennedy Space Center is up SR 3, and SR 528 runs to Orlando.
Homes For Sale In Island Cove Condo
Any Island Cove unit currently available is listed below. This is a small community with slow turnover, and the ground floor and end unit configurations are the ones people wait years for, so watch the list closely.
Island Cove Condo Frequently Asked Questions
Is Island Cove gated?
Yes. Vehicle access off North Tropical Trail is controlled, and the buildings are served by semi private elevators. Security is one of the reasons the community holds its value with owners who spend part of the year elsewhere.
Does every unit face the Indian River?
The community sits directly on the Indian River and the units are oriented to it, which is why the river views and the sunsets are the constant in every description of the place. Floor and position still change how much water you see, so look before you decide.
Is there an association and what does it cover?
Yes, this is a condominium. The governing body is Island Cove Condominium Association, and a Florida corporation by that name is active on the state's rolls. Dues apply and the condominium documents spell out what is included. Ask for the budget and the current declaration rather than relying on any published figure.
What is a milestone inspection and does it apply here?
Florida requires a milestone structural inspection for condominium and cooperative buildings of three or more habitable stories at thirty years of age, then every ten years, with a twenty five year trigger where the local enforcement agency requires it. Buildings from 1990 are inside that window, so ask for the report.
What about the structural integrity reserve study?
Florida also requires associations to complete a structural integrity reserve study covering the roof, structure, plumbing, electrical, fireproofing, waterproofing, painting, windows and exterior doors. Ask to see the current one and ask how the board has chosen to fund what it found.
Are there garages?
Yes, and they are private rather than assigned surface spaces. One car garages are the norm and some units carry two. That is unusual for a Brevard condominium and it is a real part of what buyers are paying for here.
What is the boating situation?
There is a community dock over the Indian River used for fishing and for sitting rather than deeded slips. If you want a boat lift and a slip of your own, you are looking for a single family waterfront property, not this community.
What is the honest tradeoff?
You give up a yard and you take on the shared obligations of a thirty five year old waterfront building. In exchange you get true river frontage, a garage and a locked gate at a price no comparable single family riverfront house on this island will match.
North Tropical Trail, Merritt Island 32953
Island Cove sits on the west shore of Merritt Island along North Tropical Trail, a short distance north of the SR 520 causeway. North Tropical Trail is the old river road on this side of the island, two lanes, canopy in places, and it runs the length of the island north from the causeway. The Indian River is immediately behind the buildings and Cocoa Village is directly across the water.
Merritt Island is unincorporated Brevard County, so county code governs and there is no municipal government here. Everyday shopping sits along North Courtenay Parkway a few minutes east. SR 520 carries you west into Cocoa and Cocoa Village or east to Cocoa Beach and the Atlantic. Port Canaveral is a short run north, Kennedy Space Center is up SR 3, and SR 528 puts Orlando roughly an hour away.
Near Island Cove Condo In Merritt Island
Considering Island Cove Condo?
My partner Nichole and I will get you the milestone inspection, the reserve study, the minutes and the budget before you write anything, and we will walk the seawall and the dock with you. Riverfront condominiums with private garages on this island are a short list, so being ready matters more here than in most places. Call or text (321) 212-7676.
