Dean – Page 12 – Dean Townsend Team

415 Amelia Street, Key West, FL—OFF THE MARKET

The late Lord Harold Samuel, a real estate tycoon in Britain, is widely credited with coining the expression: “There are three things that matter in property: location, location, location.” The charming cottage at 415 Amelia Street—located on a quiet block just off historic Upper Duval Street—is ideally situated: close to celebrated restaurants, galleries, and entertainment. When it comes to a winning location, it is a true blue ribbon property.

Just steps from the action, you will enjoy the best of island living in your own backyard. Catch some rays in your sunny secluded oasis, swim in your sparkling heated pool, dine under your Moroccan-inspired canopy, and relax in your colorfully tiled outdoor shower.

Island style abounds in this beautifully renovated, two bedroom/two bath, 1930’s cottage. Contemporary open plan living greets you as you enter the home. You will love the cozy and colorful living room. A beautifully crafted staircase leads to a spacious loft. The dining room offers plenty of space for holiday gatherings with family and friends. Opening to the pool, the master bedroom is bright and sunny. The updated kitchen leads to the garden; making outdoor entertaining a breeze. Your guests will love the charming guest cottage.

415 Amelia Street offers you an extra-special bonus: off-street parking. With a gated brick driveway and carport that comfortably accommodates two cars, you will not be searching for the illusive Key West parking space.

Don’t miss the chance to own your centrally located, quiet corner of paradise.

—Keith & Dean

OUR TOP 5 FAVORITE HOME SALES OF 2015

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love

2015 proved to be a great year for Key West real estate and a great year for the Townsend Team! We were fortunate to list and sell many beautiful homes. Even better, we were lucky to work with many wonderful clients and real estate professionals that made doing our job a pleasure.

For the second year, we have compiled a list of our favorite home sales of the year. Not only did we wish we were buying these wonderful properties for ourselves, family, or friends, we had a great time working with the buyers, sellers, agents, loan officers, and all the people that helped make these sales happen.

Happy New Year!

Keith & Dean

OUR TOP 5 FAVORITE HOME SALES OF 2015

5. 1217 Packer Street, Key West, Florida. It was bittersweet listing this spacious Old Town property for the estate of a former client. Selling it for $1,100,000.00—to the delightful client of our fellow Doug Mayberry Real Estate agent, Kent Ducote—made it turn out to be one of our favorite sales of the year.

4. 2412 Linda Avenue, Key West, Florida. We were bound and determined to find a buyer for this charming home with amazing views of the salt ponds. Our friends and clients, from Dean’s Bone Island Bare It All weekend, fell in love with it too. They purchased their corner of paradise for $670,000.00.

3. 17176 Bonita Lane West, Sugarloaf Key, Florida. Not surprisingly, just one day after we listed this beautiful canal front home in the MLS, we were under contract. Our Sellers were delighted that their property sold quickly for $862,500.00.

2. 908 Trinity Drive, #2, Key West, Florida. We worked with the Buyers for nearly two years before we found the perfect home for them. Our friends purchased their dream home for $629,000.00.

★1. 3729 Eagle Avenue, Key West, Florida. The best things in life do not always come easily. This was certainly the case when our clients purchased this stunning Spanish Revival home in New Town. After overcoming many challenging obstacles, our clients happily closed on their new home for $1,300,000.00.

2026 Seidenberg Avenue, Key West, FL—SOLD $925,000.

Posted by Dean in Homes We Love

We first fell in love with 2026 Seidenberg Avenue when the mid-century modern gem captured our attention in Leslie Linsley’s gorgeous coffee table book, Key West: A Tropical Lifestyle.

Our friends Guillermo Orozco and Kent Ducote not only renovated the 1950’s home, they created a one-of-a-kind Key West masterpiece. Architect, Guillermo Orozco saw past the original construction’s small rooms, lack of charm, and dark kitchen to envision a modern, light-filled home that would suit a contemporary lifestyle.

Style abounds throughout the serene, three bedroom/two bath home. The inviting living/dining room is perfect for visiting with friends and family. Painted by beloved Key West artist, Rick Worth, a beautiful wall mural of a mangrove forest turns the sitting room into a magical retreat. The modern kitchen features custom cherry wood cabinetry, honed-slate countertops, stainless steel appliances, a wine cooler, and a reverse osmosis water purifier. Overlooking the pool and garden, the upstairs master bedroom opens to an intimate balcony.

Paradise clearly exists in the home’s garden. The stunning black lagoon pool, coral stone waterfall, and tropical plantings are enchanting. The alluring outdoor pavilion is the perfect embodiment of outdoor island living at its best.

We wish we were buying 2026 Seidenberg Avenue. What a gem!

—Keith & Dean

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this mid-century modern masterpiece.

We Can’t Get Enough of Keyviche!

Posted by Dean in Dining Out

Keyviche Seafood Eatery has quickly become our go-to destination for entertaining clients, family, and friends in Key West.

As the former home of Braza Lena was being renovated earlier this year, we were curious to see what would become of the vast space that originally housed one of the island’s first automotive dealerships. When the sign went up for Keyviche Seafood Eatery, we have to admit that we were a bit skeptical. With only one seafood lover in our family, we never expected to fall in love with this newest addition to the Key West restaurant scene. Were we ever wrong?!!! We can’t get enough of Keyviche.

After stopping to peruse the menu during my morning run, I was delighted by the wide variety of enticing culinary selections; offering far more than ceviche. I told Dean that we would be going to Keyviche that night for dinner.

From the moment we entered the dynamically designed space, we were more than impressed. With an eclectic and creative blend of traditional and modern décor—perfectly reflecting the restaurant’s contemporary take on authentic Peruvian cuisine—the colorful interior is festive and welcoming. We love the creative use of monochromatic Spanish tiles so much that we have brainstormed using them in our home. Keyviche has successfully created a space that is equally hospitable to both large gatherings and intimate encounters.

Keyviche’s food is terrific! For us, our dinner always begins with the Huancaina Salad: a heavenly combination of grilled romaine halves, croutons, and parmesan cheese, tossed in a classic Peruvian huancaina dressing. Every time we decide on our favorite entrée, we discover a new delectable delight. Dean started out loving the Peruvian Fried Rice and then fell for the Vegetable Stir Fry. On our first visit, I was blown away by the Seafood Soup and then I got hooked on the Huancaina Pappardelle Pasta. Our current winner is the Crazy Chicken/Pollo Loco: a lightly breaded chicken breast, flash fried, topped with Keyviche’s secret sauce, and served with cilantro rice and seasonal vegetables.

We have always said that the key to success in any business is making your customers feel like welcomed guests in your home. Daniel Balbi, Keyviche’s General Manager and a familiar face in Key West’s culinary scene, knows how to make his customers feel like they are his most important patrons. With a gracious smile and an open embrace, the charming Frenchman always leaves us looking forward to our next dinner at his wonderful establishment.

Having enjoyed more than a dozen delightful dinners at Keyviche, if we are not the restaurant’s biggest fans, we are definitely in the running.

Keyviche Seafood Eatery is located just off Duval Street, at 421 Caroline Street, in Downtown Key West, Florida. They are open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 4:00 until 10:00 and Friday and Saturday from 4:00 until 11:00. Reservations can be made at 305-432-9440.

—Keith & Dean

Click here to checkout Keyviche Seafood Eatery’s mouthwatering menu.

Key West’s Fantasy Fest 2015

Posted by Dean in Entertainment

Key West’s Fantasy Fest 2015—All Hallows Intergalactic Freak Show—has come and gone. As expected, the annual, fun-filled, 10-day party in paradise did not disappoint. What fun we had!

Dressed as "The Birdcage" for the Masquerade March. — Dressed as “The Birdcage” for the Masquerade March.

Showing our best "sugar skull" faces. — Showing our best “sugar skull” face.

All year, we looked forward to joining the mass of zombies that took to the island’s streets for Key West’s Rock & Roll Zombie Bike Ride 2015. On a spectacularly beautiful Sunday evening, we adorned our best Day of the Dead “sugar skull” costumes and joined over 8,000 living dead riders on a path from the Fort East Martello on South Roosevelt Boulevard to the start of Duval Street. From its humble beginning with just 70 people in 2009, the annual event has proven to be a not-to-be-missed celebration.

Dean's amazing costume for the Headdress Ball. — Dean’s amazing costume for the Headdress Ball.

With more Fantasy Fest parties to choose from than we could possibly attend, we had a great time dressing up for our favorites. Dean looked spectacular as he continued his volunteer tradition of working the door at Key West’s 33rd Annual Headdress Ball. The Key West Business Guild’s annual fundraising extravaganza—held this year on the Truman Waterfront—once again proved to be a night to remember. Along with our Santa Fe friends Mark & Ken, we undoubtedly turned heads on Tutu Tuesday as we hit Duval Street wearing our pizza box tutu attire. Posing for countless pictures, we definitely felt like Britney Spears.

The Masquerade March on Friday was without a doubt our favorite event of the week. Affectionately known as the People’s Parade, the annual walking parade through Old Town Key West showcases the creativity, camaraderie, and hospitality of our island home like no other event. Shortly after last year’s parade we brainstormed with our friends Ann, Jim, Mark, and Ken and happily decided on dressing as characters from the beloved 1996 film The Birdcage. We had so much fun coming up with our costumes and were delighted by the joyful response our theme received.

Political Voodoo and Ballot-Box Barbarians has been selected as the theme for next year’s Fantasy Fest celebration. Join us in our home town for all the fabulous festivities, October 21-30, 2016. We bet you will love it as much as we do!

—Keith & Dean

Click here to visit Fantasy Fest’s website.
Click here to visit Key West’s Rock & Roll Zombie Bike Ride’s website.
Click here to visit Key West’s Headdress Ball’s website.
Click here to visit Tutu Tuesday’s website.