Rent 2 days or more: Historic Waterfront Cottage Dock, Pool, Hot Tub

Our vacation rental is an historic 1 BR/1 BTH waterfront cottage in prestigious Duck Key in the Florida Keys. There are plenty of outdoor amenities on the more than 1/4 acre property. These include a 15 X 34 foot saltwater swimming pool, hot tub, and grill with prep and dining area. The backyard perimeter is 95 feet of waterfront on a deepwater canal with a 50-foot concrete dock. The two-level dock is equipped with fenders, cleats, ladder and fish-cleaning station. The upper level is ideal for mooring a boat and the lower level could be used for fishing or launching kayaks.

From the dock you can see the historic Truman Bridge and experience the fast tidal flow of water that passes through it. This is because Duck Key Developer Bryan W. Newkirk Sr. "made his canals through waterways so they could flush with the tidal changes." President Harry S. Truman dedicated the bridge April 2, 1964 and walked by and perhaps visited this home. The bridge was designed in the style of venetian bridges in Italy by Key West Artist Gene Otto and constructed in 1955.

You can sit outside and enjoy the tropical flowers and trees: banana, coconut, plumeria, and hibiscus. If you encounter a shower, you can relax inside the covered screened porch or retreat indoors where multiple picture windows allow the tropical paradise to be viewed from the comfort of the upholstered rattan sofa or armchair.

When you walk inside the cottage, you will be struck by the spacious airy feeling. This is created by the 9-foot ceilings and the view of the outdoors that can be seen from the granite kitchen island that opens up to the living room.

Great care was taken to save the historic features and essence of Newkirk's one-of-a-kind creation. This cottage is one of the few remaining homes that Newkirk built on Duck Key. Originally called the "Villa Jamaica Cottage" in 1956, it was styled after a British West Indian Isles cottage.

Otto also decided the theme for the first private residences that Newkirk built, including the Villa Jamaica Cottage. As instructed by Otto, these homes were built on a Caribbean theme with earth-colored tile roofs and wide overhanging eaves like so many older houses encountered in Key West, Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. Villa Jamaica, along with the other private residences that Newkirk built had the West Indian architecture.

In keeping with the Otto's original theme for the cottage, the restored home has a clay tile roof from the Ludowici roof tile company as was the original roof. We chose paint the exterior pale green to softly blend with the outdoors around it. We later discovered this was the original color of our cottage. Pale green paint was hidden underneath layers of white and pink. Indoors, the earthy colored quarry tile floor was restored. The bathroom has the original tile and Ming Green American Standard bathroom tub, toilet and sink. The porch and front door steps have their original clay brick floor. The aluminum screened porch had been removed and we replaced it. You can once again enjoy sitting inside the porch on a rainy day. The louvered front door was restored and repurposed as the door to the screened-in porch.

The interior also reflects the British West Indian Isles theme and original furnishings. The upgraded version of the "Villa Jamaica" has bamboo furniture and soft tones accented by colorful botanical upholstery and area rugs. The living room has a rattan sofa and daybed and the bedroom has a king-size platform bed with a bamboo headboard flanked by bamboo nightstands.

There are homes on Greenbriar Road for rent too. If you have a larger group, they could rent one of these homes and you could enjoy your privacy at our cottage.

You can easily launch your kayaks or paddle boards from our dock. If you need to launch your boat, the closest boat ramp is Hawks Cay Marina at 61 Hawks Cay Blvd in Duck Key. It is 0.4 miles from our cottage or 1 minute away. It costs $60 in and $60 out.

Security cameras are present outdoors for enhancing security when the home is not occupied. Your privacy will be respected during your stay. The cameras in the pool, hot tub and grill area will be turned off during your stay.

Registration Number: 2500018

Unique Benefits

When we first viewed the cottage from the Truman Bridge, and watched and heard the water rushing by in the canal, we knew this was where we wanted to be. The water surged through the support arches of the Truman Bridge and streamed rapidly by the cottage resembling a fast-flowing river. We just happened to be there at just the right time to experience the daily tidal flow of water moving through the canal to the ocean. At other times, the canal resembles a peaceful lazy river. The cottage was the perfect size and we loved the fact that it sat on more than 1/4 acre. The cottage was just waiting for someone to love it and bring it back to its original charm. Once we were able to see the inside, we really liked having everything on one level and how well the space inside was designed. After spending the better part of nearly 10 years at our beloved cottage, we are now ready to share the joy of living in the style of Old Florida with you.

Why Kids Love It

Swim in the 15 X 34 foot pool or sit and play on the pool's sun shelf.
Fish from the dock.
Watch marine life from the dock. You might even see a manatee or turtle swim by.
See dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key only 6 minutes or 2 miles away.
See turtles at the Turtle Hospital in nearby Marathon only 20 minutes or 13 miles away. Learn about turtle rescue and rehabilitation.

Area Information

Duck Key is an upscale community where owners take pride in their homes.

Attractions Within Walking Distance

Angler and Ale Restaurant overlooking the water and Hawks Cay Marina
Hawks Cay Marina

Favorite Places To Eat

SS Wreck and Galley Grill in Grassy Key
Grassy Key Land and Sea Market