Historical Tropical Hideaway

Enjoy an unforgettable stay at a one-of-a-kind ship-builder's home in the heart of Old Town Key West. You will be on a quiet lane in the most desirable neighborhood, just a few short blocks from dining, boating, fishing, galleries, theatre and entertainment. Unique features include open air kitchen and living area; deep pool, wading pool and turtle pond; outdoor bathtub and shower; original art and nautical artifacts; and tropical foliage galore!

Our historical home was awarded the highest honors for Restoration, Renovation and New Construction by the Old Island Restoration Foundation in 2019.

The main floor includes three bedrooms, bathroom, kitchenette with small dining area, indoor living room/den with tv, and floor to ceiling bookcases. Five individual room air conditioners allow climate control to your taste.

This area opens up to the main living area: a one and one half story open-air structure including the main kitchen, dining and living areas, and master bedroom built as a heavy timber structure with a cathedral ceiling consisting of four gable roofs to catch wind and create a Venturi effect for natural cooling. The first floor is open on 3 sides to the tropical garden and pool, wading pool and pond with a limestone water feature. The upstairs contains a master bedroom and a half bath.

There are two outdoor dining areas, one in the garden and the other by the pool. Another bathroom is located at the rear of the property and is an outdoor one with a naturally glorious tropical shower.

A converted old-fashioned clawfoot bathtub serves as a hot tub next to the deep pool. There is a BBQ also next to the pool.

A front porch with a swing and small couch overlook the lane and on and off street parking for 2 cars.

I bought this property in 1996 and spent the next 7 years rebuilding with the help of my sons and their friends. Although with an old wooden house, there is always more to do! Two years ago I was awarded 3 stars for my work from one of Historical Society Foundations. Each of the 3 sections was awarded a star for a different designation. Renovation, Restoration and New Construction. This one-of-a kind home is house is rustic, tropical, historic and truly unique.

Unique Benefits

The home is situated in old town so everything that happens in in town from Fantasy Fest to the Singer-Songwriters Festival, Artisans market, local parks and nightlife is only a few steps away.
The back of the house is open on 3 sides and is usually 10 degrees cooler than out on the street.
Book shelves contain over 3000 books for all ages and interests.
Two water features mask any outside noise.

Why Kids Love It

The small wading pool is ideal for small children. The pond next to the wading pool features goldfish and a friendly turtle.

Area Information

Key West is not like the rest of Florida. Some of us think that it’s not even like anywhere else in the world, which makes us very happy to live here, OR to visit here. Located closer to Cuba than to Miami, the local tourist promotional organization likes to say that Key West is, “Florida’s irreverent southernmost subtropical paradise, a unique confluence of history, climate, natural beauty, cultural diversity, architecture and unabashed romantic appeal.” They are pretty much right.

America's only Caribbean city offers unique and beautiful homes, plant bio-diversity, interesting art galleries, great restaurants, fun bars, small museums, and multiple music venues. If you drive, you will traverse the Florida Keys on Highway U.S. 1, spooling out from mainland Florida, smack dab between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, over 42 bridges. If you fly, you will arrive sooner, especially if you grab (in season) a non-stop flight from Boston, D.C., Charlotte, Chicago or Newark.

Your home-away- from-home is located in the island’s Historic Seaport district. Walk three blocks to visit the docks and dinghies, marvel at the mega-yachts, or arrange a day on the water. We highly recommend a private charter or sunset sail on the elegant catamaran S/V Argo Navis. Walk five blocks to a small public beach at the foot of Simonton Street, adjacent to the Pier House and Hyatt Hotel. Bike or drive a mile or so to a bigger beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, also the home to one of the three Civil War era forts on the island. Book a day-long trip to Fort Jefferson, a fourth Civil War Fort, only accessible by boat or seaplane. Take an architectural tour, a food tour, or a self-guided historic walking tour.

You probably know the names of a few famous writers who lived here: Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost and Jimmy Buffett. Maybe you even know of John Hersey, Alison Lurie or Annie Dillard. Maybe you will be famous too, someday!

Attractions Within Walking Distance

Truman Waterfront Park.
Key West Bight for watersports and Sunsets.
Flagler museum
Butterfly collection (living)
Studios of Key West
Red Barn Theater
Key west Theater
Tropic Cinema
Aquarium
Key west brewery
Pilar’s Rum factory
Dozens of Art Galleries
Green Parrot Bar
Sloppy Joes Bar
Custom’s House

Favorite Places To Eat

Cafe Sole
Pepe’s
Prime
Louie’s Backyard
Martins
915
Manga Manga
Chico’s (Stock Island)
Salute

Inside Scoop

Best Sunset Sailboat
Best beach