A custom-built home enhances its unbeatable nature views.

Built in 2021 and situated on the bluff s overlooking the Missouri River, this home offers stunning views of Jefferson City scenery that most people never get to see and serves as a perfect piece of paradise for one visionary couple. The home is the fourth home the couple has built together, having built three homes in Jeff erson City and one in Florida.

“Most of our homes have been based on location,” says one homeowner. “ Our first home backed up to Runge Nature Center, so it had a very private back yard. The second home we built in Jefferson City was on Virginia Trail next to a property where we knew it would stay undeveloped; and then, we found this property, and it was just a no-brainer.”

“My wife never wanted to build again,” says the other homeowner. “So, I took her for a little drive out here.

We walked up the hill that overlooked the river; and, knowing we had already built three homes, I asked, ‘You got one more in you?’ She said, ‘For that view, yes.’”

With just the two of them residing in the home, the pair focused on designing the master bedroom, guest bedroom, two full-baths, and three half baths on the first floor.

“When we laid out the house, we included just two bedrooms, which is perfect for us but may not fi t the needs of others. We designed the downstairs area to accommodate up to three additional bedrooms so the house has a lot of expansion possibilities.”

In lieu of building a separate formal dining room, the homeowners designed the same open kitchen concept from their previous home with an open eating area and table overlooking the river and additional seating at the kitchen island. The homeowners also wanted to create a more casual living area with plenty of space for enjoying some television or warming up by the stone fireplace.

My wife never wanted to build again. So, I took her for a little drive out here, we walked up the hill that overlooked the river and, knowing we had already built three homes, I asked, ‘you got one more in you?’ She said, ‘for that view, yes.’

HOMEOWNER

“We didn’t want a true living room. We wanted something more casual, which is why we made it open with a built-in entertainment system. We’re big sports fans, so we can come out here and have multiple TVs on with different games. And, we can enjoy the view here too.”

With location being the key reason for building this house, the couple couldn’t pass on the opportunity to showcase the home’s stunning river views with floor to ceiling windows lining the entire back of the dining and living space. Even more stunning is the home’s sunroom where homeowners and guests can view a little piece of Missouri paradise. Bald eagles flying over the treetops, jetsetters taking off from the Jefferson City Airport, and the fall leaves changing colors each year are just a few of the homeowner’s favorite things to enjoy.

“This year, we’ve had an American white pelican hanging around. You don’t think of a pelican being anywhere but the ocean, but it’s been here since spring, and we’ve named it Peabody. I watch it every day as it goes upriver and comes back.”

There’s always a lot going on, but it’s incredibly private…

HOMEOWNER

The homeowners also get to see their fair share of boats and barges floating by and the rushing lights of traveling trains peering through the trees during the winter months.

During the summer, they can often hear the faint cheers of fans at ballpark tournaments across the river.

“There’s always a lot going on, but it’s incredibly private as well.”

Aside from impeccable views, the home itself is full of impressive details — many of which were made possible by the home’s builder, Bernskoetter Construction.

“We worked with Brice Bernskoetter, and he is by far the best builder we have ever worked with. He listened to us, offered some great ideas, and made sure things were how we wanted.”

Brice’s designs can be seen throughout the home’s arched entrance ways, the master bathroom vanity, and the beautiful tray ceiling over the living area. On top of that, Brice worked with the homeowners to install custom-made double front doors with inset glass panels, matching tile, sliding sunroom doors and a steel staircase railing cut by SteinerZ LLC and fabricated by Six G Custom Railings. This particular piece was put together so that not a single welding joint can be seen along the railing — a custom feature requested by the homeowners. Brice also worked with the homeowners to install a custom built-in niche inside the home office that displays Alabama Crimson Tide football memorabilia.

“We are very detail-oriented people, and Brice really accommodated us. There’s nothing in this house that we didn’t personally decide; and that includes where the outlets are located, the width of the entertainment system, and the angle of the fi replace. The details, in our opinion, are what make a house, which is why we feel that the most important decision you can make when you’re custom building a house is choosing your builder.”