713 Windsor Lane, Key West Writers Compound

 

The new listing at 713 Windsor Lane may appeal to buyers looking for a Key West getaway in a great Old Town location. It's a lock-and-leave with added income potential to help defray part of the cost of ownership which does not require sharing personal living space with strangers on rotating basis. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"In the perfect Old Town location (X Flood zone) combined with a secluded community of 11 homes, this quiet Cigar Maker's cottage is reserved for those who enjoy peaceful living and are 55 years of age and older. Completely renovated in 2003, the main home is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cottage with porches in the front and rear. Upstairs is a beautiful 1 bedroom,1 bathroom apartment rented annually at $1800/month with tree top views of the wonderfully maintained grounds. The kitchens and bathrooms have been renovated with wooden cabinets and granite counter tops. Enjoy your morning coffee on the front or back covered porch. This tropical oasis enjoys a huge shared pool and deck area. Come see this unique property in Windsor Village and make it your Piece of Paradise!"

 

The first floor lays out like a typical Key West cottage with central hallway leading to the living areas. The great room is located on the left side where one set of French doors open to the covered rear porch. The guest bedroom (twin beds) is located at the front. The master bedroom is at the rear where French doors also open out to the covered rear porch. Notice the stairs. They lead tot he one bedroom apartment on the second floor. This home is located at the westernmost edge of the compound - there are no neighbors passing by.

Entry to the main floor living area  is through the front gate. The covered porch is the perfect perch to people watch. I added the photos at the top of the blog to show the porch is both elevated and privatized giving whoever is sitting there the ability to notice without being noticed. At night this little lane is dead quite - after all, it ends basically ends at the cemetery. The second floor tenant would enter via the main gated entrance and follow the walkway. 

The Key West Writers Compound is "hidden behind the white stucco wall, is a collection of once run-down shacks and shanties, frame cottages perched upon limestone piers, later restored as the winter residences of such literary luminaries as poet Richard Wilbur [former U.S. Poet Laureate], critic John Ciardi, writer Ralph Ellison and Hiroshima author John Hersey. There are several literati compounds in Old Town, and this complex, established in 1976, with its landscaped walkways and a central pool, is one of the most charming. Wilbur won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry and is renowned for his translations of Moliere; Ciardi, a critic, also translated Dante’s Divine Comedy; Ralph Ellison wrote The Invisible Man; and John Hersey, taught at Yale for 18 years and won the Pulitzer Prize for his writing debut, A Bell for Adano." (From See KeyWest.com with Sharon Wells)

A.B. Beattie's Key West Dialogue published in the NEW YORK TIMES March 18, 1984 wrote:

"Key West looks like a lurid postcard. The colors are very intense, and almost everywhere you look there is something scenic. I mean, you can go around Key West taking pictures in your head, because almost everything is perfect. You can't miss there. If there's a crack in the sidewalk, there's hibiscus growing in it. If you see an ugly empty lot, there's always the weird juxtaposition - a mansion directly adjoining it. There's really no harmony. If there's harmony there, it's in the air, it's not really in the way things physically relate to each other." 

So much for lurid postcard. The Key West of 36 years ago has faded away. All of the cottages in the compound including Hersey's (visible in pool photo) have been renovated. The bricked walkways lead to each cottage. It's magical. Really magical. You are a five to ten minute walk anywhere in Old Town but in such a private place. Your neighbors will keep an eye out for your place when you go back up north. It's their home as well.

That's 630 Elizabeth Street located at the start of Windsor Lane. All but a a couple of the original old houses on Windsor Lane have been renovated. Most have sold for over one million dollars. 744 Windsor Lane sold in 2020 for $4,700,000. Those readers who are really familiar with Key West know that the still of the night is real as long as you are not near Duval Street. I don't think there is a more perfect location to own a Key West getaway home than in the heart of Old Town. This place works on so many levels. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more listing photos of 713 Windsor Lane, Key West offered for sale at $1,132,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

P.S.  I sold two houses in the Writer's Compound. A year ago or so I had a closing at one of  the law firms. I introduced myself to the lady at the reception desk. She knew who I was, I wrote the blog on the house she bought in the Writer's Compound. She told me she read my blog on the house, called her agent, and went over an bought it. Isn't that special!

723 Windsor Lane, Key West - Key West Writers Compound

A few weeks ago I found an utterly charming article entitled Key West Dialogue published in the NEW YORK TIMES March 18, 1984 by A.B. Beattie. CLICK HERE to read - it's worth reading. Locals and long time returning visitors to Key West will appreciate the first paragraph:

"Key West looks like a lurid postcard. The colors are very intense, and almost everywhere you look there is something scenic. I mean, you can go around Key West taking pictures in your head, because almost everything is perfect. You can't miss there. If there's a crack in the sidewalk, there's hibiscus growing in it. If you see an ugly empty lot, there's always the weird juxtaposition - a mansion directly adjoining it. There's really no harmony. If there's harmony there, it's in the air, it's not really in the way things physically relate to each other."

The aerial photo at the top of this page was taken earlier this year of my listing at 744 Windsor Lane now offered at $5,000,000. The Key West Writers Compound is located across the street. 

 That property is the perfect example of the juxtaposition A.B. Beattie noted in 1984 of mansions and fixer-uppers existing in perfect harmony. Key West is still as colorful as it was thirty-five years ago. It's just a lot more expensive. I edited the top photo to show the physical location of the Writer's Compound where 723 Windsor Lane is now offered for sale.

The Key West Writers Compound is "hidden behind the white stucco wall, is a collection of once run-down shacks and shanties, frame cottages perched upon limestone piers, later restored as the winter residences of such literary luminaries as poet Richard Wilbur [former U.S. Poet Laureate], critic John Ciardi, writer Ralph Ellison and Hiroshima author John Hersey. There are several literati compounds in Old Town,and this complex, established in 1976, with its landscaped walkways and a central pool, is one of the most charming. Wilbur won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry and is renowned for his translations of Moliere; Ciardi, a critic, also translated Dante’s Divine Comedy; Ralph Ellison wrote The Invisible Man; and John Hersey, taught at Yale for 18 years and won the Pulitzer Prize for his writing debut, A Bell for Adano." (From SeekKeyWest.com with Sharon Wells) 

The compound itself is an assemblage of other cottages that were built for the Key West working class. They were nothing extra-ordinary. The simplicity of their design and construction was perhaps the primary reason the writers chose to congregate there. Today a large fence sets the compound apart from the street. Two large gates open onto a wide bricked walkway that navigates owners to each of the homes in the compound. There is a large pool located near the east side of the property. I don't recall ever seeing anyone actually swimming there, however. I do recall admiring the great views of specimen trees and brightly colored foliage. The compound would be a treasure on its own even if the notable writers had never lived there. But they did and that sets this property apart and makes the compound very notable.

The individual cottages are scattered about the lush tropical foliage and towering palms.  723 Windsor Lane is situated on a 1604 square foot lot at the rear eastern boundary of the compound. 

723 Windsor Lane dates back to 1899 updated to the highest standards. The 917 square foot cottage includes a writer's office (or den), sun room which is used for interior dining, living room, eat-in kitchen, bedroom, and bath. There is a private deck as well as the front porch which looks out to the garden pathway.

The top of Solares Hill is just a couple of houses to the west of the compound. All houses in the compound are located in the X Zone for flood insurance purposes. Flood insurance is not required in the X Zone. Homes in the compound are classified as land based condos. Owners purchase their own home owner, flood, and wind insurance policies. HOA fees are $850 payable quarterly.

The Writers Compound is just a few short blocks walk to the Historic Key West Seaport to the north or a three block walk to Duval Street to the west. That's part of the joy of living in a great location like the Writer's Compound: you can be anywhere important within a few minutes.

If you are looking a a great place in a great location at a really great price, this property may be exactly what you are looking for. Remember, at least one owner must be at least 55 years of age to be able to buy into this compound. No children under 18 are permitted at the pool-ever. If you have little grand kids or nieces the nephews, this won't work. Otherwise, this is a place to consider.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 723 Windsor Lane, Key West offered for sale at $738,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

719 Windsor Lane (The Key West Writer's Compound)

During the past few years I have written about a couple of the lovely homes located in the Key West Writer's Compound. Today I am adding to that list by discussing the the lovely home tucked away at the back of the compound - 719 Windsor Lane Rear. The assortment of restored shacks, shanties, cottages, and houses were once winter homes for writers such as Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Richard Wilbur; "Divine Comedy" translator John Ciardi; John Hersey author of "A Bell for Adano" and "Hiroshima", and Ralph Ellison who wrote #The Invisible Man".  The compound is located on Windsor Lane near the top of Solares Hill, the highest point in Key West. All of the houses in the compound sit behind a large privacy fence. Each house sits on its individually owned lot which is accessed via common area walkways. Also included in the common area is a beautiful pool and stunning gardens.  I don't reckon there is a more beautiful setting in any shared community in all of Key West.

The listing Realtor describes 719 Windsor Lane Rear this way:

"Writer's retreat at Windsor Village, a secluded community of 11 homes reserved for those who enjoy peaceful living and are 55 years of age or older. Wonderfully located atop Solares Hill on a quiet one way street in the heart of Old Town Key West. Featuring three bedrooms and two baths with high end updates. French doors lead you to the light and airy great room with open floor plan. Spectacular new kitchen with beautiful cabinetry, custom lighting and stunning granite countertops and backsplash. Your private patio overlooks the shared pool surrounded by mature gardens and bricked pathways."

This 1268 sq ft home has three bedrooms and two baths. The front bedroom is currently being used as a den or office. That room and the living room (both pictured below) have beautiful French doors that open out to a private terrace that wraps around to the side where the private outdoor dining area is located.

All of the interiors are smartly decorated and crispy clean.  Both the master bedroom with en-suite bath and the second bedroom (with shared bath with third bedroom or den) have built in closets to provide civilized storage.  Everything about this home is tailored to meet the needs of a discriminating owner.

The open living area provides lots of space for gracious living.  The French doors and windows allow the perfect amount of light into the space.

The pool is located nearby. In the many times I have shown homes here I have only seen one person using the pool.  And that is a shame because this pool is so inviting.  Tall trees and lush tropical vegetation surround the cottages and provide a bit of shade on one side of the pool.The opposite side of the pool is bright and sunny. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos of this home and the other homes that make up this compound.

If you or your mate is at least 55 years of age and are seeking a carefree place for a permanent Key West residence or a getaway, this property might be just what you have been looking for. It is priced right at just $655,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this home. Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

---