Author Archives: Dean

About Dean

Keith first moved to Key West in the 1990’s, after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Mississippi University for Women. Key West’s unique combination of tropical small-town life and generous cultural activities ignited his imagination. Among the island’s colorful characters and regal palms, Keith brought his dream of becoming a successful art dealer and gallery owner to fruition. Although career opportunities eventually took him away from his beloved island home, he made a commitment to come back to Key West once he made his entrepreneurial dreams come true. In 2010, Keith joyfully returned to Key West. After teaming up with veteran real estate agent Dean Townsend in life, the two made the decision to team up as Realtors® in 2013. With the creation of The Townsend Team, a dynamic real estate partnership was born. Decades spent selling one-of-a-kind artistic treasures, proved to be a fertile training ground for selling Key West’s real estate gems. Keith consistently attends to the smallest detail, offers superior customer service and builds lasting relationships. Mastering the art of matching buyers with their dream homes is Keith’s primary focus. Experience, Creativity, Knowledge: qualities that make Keith Miller and Dean Townsend, The Townsend Team, your Realtors® of choice.

915 Cornish Lane, Key West, FL—SOLD $1,125,000.

Every once in a while, a home comes on the market that totally knocks our socks—or should we say underwear—off. Celebrity fashion designer Andrew Christian ‘s sleek and stylish, Key West vacation home is one such masterpiece. The stunning, 2 bedroom/1.5 bath, contemporary cottage has been lovingly and meticulously renovated. No detail was overlooked.

Fans of our blog, Our Key West, know that we are enamored with the tucked away cottages of Key West’s hidden lanes. Nestled at the end of a quaint and quiet lane off Grinnell Street (between Fleming and Southard Streets), 915 Cornish Lane offers privacy and seclusion in the heart of Old Town.

Entering the front gate, you are captured by the rich Ipe hardwood decking gracing the cloistered front porch. High ceilings, walnut floors, and views of the pool greet you as you move into the home. The bright and sunny living/dining room is beautifully appointed with designer furnishings and modern built-ins.

The light-filled kitchen is a chef’s dream. Along with Viking and Subzero appliances, Custom cabinets and Caesarstone counters grace the modern, streamlined kitchen. The convenient pass through window makes outdoor entertaining a breeze.

The in vogue master bedroom opens to the outdoor showers and the exquisitely designed master bath. Mirroring the kitchen, the bathroom’s wood cabinets and Caesarstone countertops are bathed in light from beautiful gable windows. The shining guestroom sports a custom designed closet to die for.

Perfect for intimate entertaining, the home’s tropical outdoor living space is a sea of tranquility. The sparkling pool is heated for your enjoyment. The garden living room is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the best of island living—paradise in your own backyard.

We wish we were writing a check for this extraordinary Key West cottage.

—Dean & Keith

Click here to visit Andrew Christian’s website.

Click here to enjoy a virtual tour of this spectacular contemporary cottage.

1113 Curry Lane, Key West, FL—SOLD $790,000.

We have always dreamed of finding a charming Key West cottage, tucked away on one of Old Town’s hidden lanes. Something a little old Key West funky, that we could put our stamp on, would be perfect. If it had a private garden, pool, and guesthouse, all the better. The home at 1113 Curry Lane—a secluded lane that runs between White and Frances Streets—is the stuff that dreams are made of.

The two bedroom/two bath main house captured our hearts at first glance. We love the light-filled, eclectic living room with its Dade County pine accent wall with stained glass panels. The dining room opens to the beautifully updated kitchen with a vaulted, trompe-l’oeil ceiling, and French doors that open to the garden. A guest room and a full bath finish off the main level of the home. The Upstairs offers a spacious master bedroom with a dressing room and full bath. Three quiet and efficient, ductless air conditioning systems cool the structure.

We love the home’s private tropical courtyard. The sparkling, solar heated pool catches plenty of sun. Overlooking the pool and garden, the separate guest cottage has its own bath. Visitors will love it, or it can be legally rented for extra income.

With great bones, tons of charm, and just the right amount of Key West spice, 1113 Curry Lane is ready for you to make it your own. We wish we were buying this wonderful, secluded gem.

—Dean & Keith

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

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

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.

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.