TAKE A PEEK INTO YOUR KEY WEST HOME’S PAST

Back in 1965, the Monroe County Property Appraiser’s office took on the arduous task of taking a Polaroid photograph to document every structure in the county. The resulting group of 4,470 architectural images offers an extraordinary glimpse into a time in Key West history just before homes and commercial structures began to be restored en masse. It is surprising (if not shocking) to see how rundown much of the island’s buildings were at the time. The collection serves as a testament to the commitment of countless individuals that have—over the past fifty years—invested their money, blood, sweat, and tears into returning Key West’s historic structures to their previous glory.

Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965;  1405 Olivia St.; built c1906; Tract 7, Sqr 2, Pt Lot 13
Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 1405 Olivia St.; built c1906; Tract 7, Sqr 2, Pt Lot 13
1405 Olivia Street as seen today.
1405 Olivia Street as seen today.

The treasure trove of photos was endowed to the Monroe County Public Library in Key West. Luckily, the library has made the entire collection available online at http://bit.ly/keyspix.

Click here to visit the website and you will be able to explore a vast array of historic Keys photographs. The 1965 Property Appraiser’s Polaroids have been grouped together in the album The Way We Were—Key West 1960’s.

You can search for the 1965 picture of your Key West home by clicking on the search icon just above the photographs (not the Flickr search icon at the top of the page). Type in the number and street name only. Do not include Street, Avenue, Lane, etc. Undoubtedly, you will be delighted to see how your home looked over fifty years ago. Download the image to your computer and share it with family and friends. Frame a print and proudly hang it on the wall of your Key West dream home. The peek into your home’s past will surely spark many memorable conversations.

THE TOWNSEND TEAM
Dean & Keith Townsend, REALTORS®
Keller Williams Key West Compass Realty
333 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040
305-942-1369, www.DeanTownsend.com

Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 1209 Knowles Lane; built 1920's; Gwynn Sub, Pt Tract 13
Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 1209 Knowles Lane; built 1920’s; Gwynn Sub, Pt Tract 13
Today, beautifully renovated 1209 Knowles Lane shines brightly.
Today, beautifully renovated 1209 Knowles Lane shines brightly.
Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 719 Eisenhower Dr. aka 720 Eisenhower Dr.; house was originally located on the water @719, c1975 house moved across the street to 720 Eisenhower; Tract 7, Lot 5
Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 719 Eisenhower Dr. aka 720 Eisenhower Dr.; house was originally located on the water @719, c1975 house moved across the street to 720 Eisenhower; Tract 7, Lot 5
720 Eisenhower Drive has changed a great deal in the last half-century.
720 Eisenhower Drive has changed a great deal in the last half-century.
Photo taken by the Property Appraiser's office c1965; 813 Frances St.; built 1920's; Tract 6, Sqr 4, Pt Lot 10 & 11
Photo taken by the Property Appraiser’s office c1965; 813 Frances St.; built 1920’s; Tract 6, Sqr 4, Pt Lot 10 & 11
Beautiful 813 Frances Street today.
Lovely 813 Frances Street captivates today.
Photo taken by Prpoerty Appraiser's office c1965; 530 Grinnell Street; built 1923; Sqr 46, Pt Lot 1
Photo taken by Prpoerty Appraiser’s office c1965; 530 Grinnell Street; built 1923; Sqr 46, Pt Lot 1
One of the most charming cottages in Old Town Key West, 530 Grinnell Street as seen today.
One of the most charming cottages in Old Town Key West, 530 Grinnell Street as seen today.

1711 Von Phister Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $604,000.

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Enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride to the eastern end of one of Key West’s beautiful garden byways and you will come upon the charming cottage at 1711 Von Phister Street. When we first visited this tranquil and welcoming home, we saw it as the perfect choice for anyone dreaming of starting out in life (or starting life anew) on our enchanting island.

Constructed in 1943 and nicely renovated in 2007, this single story, three bedroom/two bath, 1,150 square foot cottage is move-in-ready. With its captivating character, spacious 4,862 square foot lot, and central location outside of the historic district, opportunities abound to create the Key West home of your dreams.

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Harkening to a simpler time, the gracious front porch invites one to while away the hours.

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The light-filled living room’s vaulted ceiling adds to its spacious feel.

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Recapture the family dinner hour and enjoy festive holiday celebrations in the home’s traditional dining room.

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Tastefully designed, the updated galley kitchen leads to the tropical backyard.

With no stairs to climb on the way to bed, and three ground floor bedrooms to choose from, the home is the perfect choice for a multigenerational family.

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The large lot offers off-street parking and room for a sparkling inground pool.

We bet you will love this welcoming island cottage as much as we do.

—Dean & Keith Townsend, The Townsend Team

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this charming Key West starter home.

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1010 Elgin Lane, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $1,200,000.

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Among the sweetest perks of selling Key West real estate are the array of invitations, to tour the island’s hidden treasures, that come across our desks. After experiencing the captivating cottage at 1010 Elgin Lane, we felt like we had discovered a pot of gold.

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Tucked away on a hidden Old Town lane, this historic, 3 bedroom/3 bath, property can best be described as personality plus. With quintessential Key West curb appeal and a front porch tailor-made for whiling away the hours, the home lays out an unforgettable welcome mat.

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Crossing the threshold, one is immediately struck by the cottage’s storybook charm. The art-filled living room lends itself to whispered confidences and joyous celebrations. Wonderful artistic details delight at every turn.

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The generous, cottage-style, eat-in kitchen offers views of the beautiful garden and pool.

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Downstairs, the master bedroom and adjoining sitting room are awash with dappled light.

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Custom features create a tropical island paradise in the home’s main bath.

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Born from a childhood fantasy, an enchanting secret garden awaits in the backyard.

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Guests will long to stay forever in the coastal guest cottage overlooking the sparkling pool.

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Reminiscent of a British architectural folly, or a New England summer house, the unforgettable octagonal pavilion offers a peaceful retreat from the world’s cares.

Undoubtedly, the magical island escape at 1010 Elgin Lane has captured our hearts. We bet you will fall in love with this not-to-be-missed home as well.

—Keith & Dean

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OUR TOP 10 FAVORITE KEY WEST HOME SALES OF 2016

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With over 13 million dollars in sales, three current listings, and four transactions set to close after the first of the year, 2016 has proven to be a banner year for The Townsend Team. From stately Classical Revival homes, to charming historic cottages, to sunny beach condominiums, we listed and sold many unforgettable Key West dream homes in 2016.

We hope you will enjoy our third annual 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, real estate agents, loan officers, closing attorneys, and all the individuals that helped make these transactions happen.

Happy New Year!

Keith & Dean Townsend, The Townsend Team
www.DeanTownsend.com

OUR TOP 10 FAVORITE HOME SALES OF 2016

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10. 3632 Sunrise Drive, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $1,345,500. When we first toured this beautiful canal front home, we knew we had to find the buyer. Our clients fell in love with its amazing outdoor living and had to make it their own.

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9. 418 Amelia Street, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $545,000. Ideally located just steps from Upper Duval Street, this historic fixer upper was the perfect match for our first-time Key West home buyers. They are off and running, turning it into their dream cottage.

1711-von-phister-street8. 1711 Von Phister Street, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $530,000. We had so much fun working with our buyers, we were thrilled that they found their Key West starter home. They will undoubtedly transform their charming cottage into a showplace.

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7. 1405 Olivia Street, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $1,315,000. After helping our sellers purchase a picturesque waterfront home up the Keys, we were delighted to list, market, and sell their historic Classical Revival gem for them.

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6. 639 United Street, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $810,000. When one of our favorite local mortgage loan originators asked us to help he and his wife purchase their Key West dream home, we were delighted. Their detailed renovation of the historic home is stunning.

11-whistling-duck5. 11 Whistling Duck Lane, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $375,000. We were thrilled to assist the Executive Director of one of our island’s terrific non-profit community-based organizations in the purchase of his first home. The low-maintenance Key West Golf Club townhouse was the perfect match for his busy lifestyle.

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4. 1211 Newton Street, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $1,185,000. It was a kick when our buyers chose to make the gorgeous home of the Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter, their tropical island escape. We really enjoyed searching with them for just the right property and we are very happy to call them friends and neighbors.

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3. 1022 Roberts Lane, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $699,000. Our sellers created a masterpiece when they meticulously renovated this island style Old Town cottage. It was love at first sight for our buyer.

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2. 1500 Atlantic Boulevard, Unit 107, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $1,200,000. We wished we were buying this stylishly renovated Key West Beach Club condominium. After being listed unsuccessfully with other agents, we went to work restaging and creatively marketing the property and sold the home for our client.

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★1. 824 Thomas Street, Key West, Florida 33040—SOLD $924,500. When ZILLOW.COM selected this extraordinary church-to-home conversion as its Unique House of the Week, our seller was thrilled. The excitement grew when it was featured on TODAY.COM. Going under contract—just one week after we listed it—was the icing on the cake. Selling this 1867, Carpenter Gothic style, former home of the Zion Primitive Baptist Congregation was unquestionably our favorite transaction of the year.
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1410 Reynolds Street, Key West, FL 33040—SOLD $1,670,000.

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Stroll two short blocks from the Waldorf Astoria’s historic Casa Marina Resort—the final jewel in famed railroad tycoon Henry Flagler’s crown—and you will discover another shining Key West gem. The stunning property at 1410 Reynolds Street is not to be missed. Style and sophistication abounds in this exceptional, 3 bedroom/2.5 bath residence. Beautifully renovated and exquisitely furnished, this 2,262 square foot, single story home is being offered for sale turnkey (excluding the artwork). We could not be more delighted to be marketing and selling this unforgettable new listing.

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Expansive and inviting open plan living, dining, and media areas showcase Brazilian cherry floors, vaulted ceilings, and walls of sliding glass doors and casement windows. Elegantly appointed with designer furnishings, the space is ideal for entertaining friends and family.

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Featuring Viking and Bosch stainless appliances, custom cherry cabinets, and gorgeous cork flooring, the spacious kitchen is a chef’s dream come true.

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Two tastefully designed and generous guest rooms welcome visitors with grace.

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The glorious master suite opens to the garden and features a sunny sitting room retreat.

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With double vessel sinks, tranquil soaking tub, and spectacular glass shower, the spa-inspired master bath is unforgettable.

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Completely walled for privacy, the mature tropical garden sports a custom flagstone patio and sparkling free form pool. Off-street parking for two cars, metal roof, hurricane shutters, and X Flood Zone placement heighten the property’s appeal. Ideally located three blocks from Higgs Beach and a short stroll from Upper Duval Street, the property is close to all the best of Key West island life.

—Keith & Dean

Click here to enjoy a wonderful virtual tour of this stylish and sophisticated Casa Marina home.

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