718 Eisenhower Drive in
Key West was recently brought back on the market at a new and lower price,
$2,475,000. Now that might seem like a really expensive property in most places - and it is even expensive by Key West's inflated market value pricing, but it is not really that expensive when you consider how much this grand old dame offers. The listing Realtor describes the property as a
"Fine example of Victorian Queen Anne architecture, built in the late 1800's,
restored in 1993. Wide expansive porches wrap around the mansion overlooking a
beautiful pool and tropical gardens. The 4,148 SF main house has a large central
hallway, original 8 ft. pocket doors, 15 ft. ceilings, separate dining/living
rooms and a large library with hand-crafted bookcases, 3bd/3ba, garage and gated
parking. The guest house, the former carriage house, is 1,496 SF consisting of a
2bd/2ba guest apartment, personal gym, and pool side Florida room with bath. The
estate was built by C.B. Pendleton in 1885. Mr. Pendleton was a prominent
politician/newspaper editor and his home was considered one of the finest
mansions in Key West in the late 1800's."
I dug into my old shoebox and found several old photos that show this house in yesteryear. Two aerial photos show the house when the house had a waterfront view of North Beach on what was then called Salt Pond Road. Many years later a local politico-developer filled in the beach and built condos. (Politicians always get to do things real people cannot do. It still happens today in Key West.) The Garrison Bight Marina is now located opposite this property.
The top aerial photo was taken around 1918. The next aerial was taken in the 1920s. The 1920s photo shows the Army barracks up to the right. The big square is the old parade ground. During World War I the house at 718 Eisenhower was used as bachelor officers quarters. The brass, like the politicians, always live better than the real folk. See the photo below taken on the north side of the front porch. The staircase is one of several that lead to the lush gardens that flank this property today. (Notice the hammock behind the young officer!)
The color photo above shows the same area about 96 years later. This old house is as grand, or maybe even more grand, than it was over a century ago. The house is as solid and strong as an owner could want. It has stood the test of time. The interiors reflect an era when big men built big houses to show their place in society. The room sizes and interiors are more than impressive.
A gentleman's parlor with deep rich bookcases and trophy walls plus the kitchen complete the main level. A massive staircase leads to the second floor where a wide hallway and a set of French doors with paladin windows open out to the second floor balcony that overlooks the water on the far side of the street. The master suite is huge. Too bad I took my peanut size camera and cannot show you how grand the spaces are.
A two story guest cottage complete with living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a gym is located at the rear just off the swimming pool and rear gardens. This is the perfect place for your guests or hanger-on relatives.
CLICK HERE to view more photos.
718 Eisenhower Drive is now offered at $2,475,000.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me,
Gary Thomas,
305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this Key West grand dame. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.
