TED’S PLACE
License # VR052 - Minimum Stay 1 Week, Saturday thru Saturday – Unbeatable Location - 1.5 acres – Bayfront – Gated & Secluded – Walking Distance to Lorelei and other great spots - 5/4 Home with Heated Infinity Pool and Hot Tub – Protected Dockage for Boats up to 30’ – Easy safe and secure parking for your boat trailer - Stunning Views – Great Amenities inc. Paddleboards, Kayaks, Gym, Outdoor Grill Station & Bar, Sunset Cabana, Smart TV’s, Indoor & Outdoor Sonos Sound System, Pool Table, Ping Pong, Shuffleboard, Cornhole, Firepit.
Designed to be the ultimate vacation home for couples, families with teenage children or groups of fishing friends.
Please note that Ted's Place has multiple deep water features within close proximity of the house.
As a Licensed Vacation Rental property the Village of Islamorada and our Insurance Providers requires us to obtain a Rental Agreement signed by Ted's Place LLC and yourself as the Primary Guest. If you decide to make a reservation the Rental Agreement is available to download and view just before VRBO asks for your payment details. Once you make your booking we will forward the Rental Agreement for you to sign digitally via Docusign. It is a quick and simple process but if you have any questions regarding the Rental Agreement please feel free to contact your host, Mark.
THE LOCATION
Ted’s Place – the spectacular former estate of Ted Williams is superbly situated at Mile Marker 82 in the heart of fabulous Islamorada – the Village of Islands, the Sportfishing Capital of the World and recently described by the Miami Herald as ‘the Cool Key’.
Its central location on Upper Matecumbe Key means easy access to the best that Islamorada has to offer. A short stroll to the end of the street takes you to the Islamorada Fishing Club or the Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar – popular hangouts for locals and visitors alike. Explore further afield and you will find many of the area’s top-rated marina’s, restaurants, craft breweries, tiki bars, art galleries and boutiques.
Set well away from the busy Overseas Highway, this gated estate fronts directly on to glorious Florida Bay for breathtaking sunsets and panoramic views of shimmering, teal waters, mangrove islands and the turquoise horizon.
Islamorada is uniquely positioned at the confluence of the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades National Park. For fishing friends and families this is a seriously fishy venue. The world record producing bonefish flats of Shell Key are seconds away from the dock, a few minutes further takes one to the tarpon hotspots of Florida Bay or the Oceanside flats. The fertile fishing grounds of the Gulfstream are easily accessed via nearby Whale Harbor Channel. Opportunities for lobstering, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and nature watching abound right outside your door.
When Baseball legend Ted Williams moved to the Keys in the fifties, he had the pick of the best waterfront locations to call home. He chose here. After spending a week treading in his footsteps, you will understand why.
THE ESTATE
Spanning 1.5 acres and accessed via an electric gate on quiet Madeira Road, Ted’s Place is truly a tropical paradise. A long, winding driveway leads you through expansive, mature gardens populated with hundreds of native trees, shrubs and flowering plants, all designed to attract an abundance of butterflies and birdlife. Towering, swaying palms surround the main home, rambling Bourgainvillea provide vibrant splashes of color and comical curly-tailed lizards stand sentry on the stone garden walls.
Accessing the bayside of the estate you are immediately struck by the infinity-edged swimming pool and spa and an assortment of patio’s, decks, outdoor dining areas and a bar area - all laid out to maximize the spectacular open water views.
A small mangrove island protects the sea wall and dockage creating a shallow lagoon that shields boats from excessive wind and waves. It’s also an ideal place to kayak and paddle board on windy days. Most days an Osprey perches on the largest palm, surveying the lagoon for its preferred prey of Mullet. Schools of large Snapper and Parrotfish hang out in the shade of the floating dock and families of Manatee’s visit on a frequent basis. If you are lucky you may witness dolphins playing beyond the island in the deeper waters of the Bay.
If you are not transfixed by the natural beauty of it all, there are many further outdoor features to occupy your time – a small gym located in the garden room, a pool table, darts board and ring toss in the bar area, shuffleboard on the porch, ping pong in the entryway, corn hole in the yard and a fire pit for toasting marshmallows on cooler winter evenings.
If you are tired of the Ted’s Place you are tired of life. Kick back, relax and enjoy this serene oasis.
THE HISTORIC HOME
Ted Williams was the quintessential all-American hero. His achievements as a baseball hitter for the Boston Red Sox remain unsurpassed to this day. In between setting all time batting records he served his country with distinction as a fearless fighter pilot during World War II. Upon his retirement from baseball he headed south to Islamorada where he quickly distinguished himself as one of the best fisherman the Keys had ever seen. The media attention Williams brought with him truly put Islamorada on the map as one of the leading sportfishing destinations in the world.
Ted Williams evidently loved the Keys and its people. The fact that he lived in this house for forty years makes Ted’s Place one of the most historically significant homes in the Upper Keys.
Today, the original concrete shell of Williams house still forms the superstructure. But beyond that, subsequent owners have upgraded the interior and exterior to create 5,400 sq/ft of living space (3,600 sq/ft interior and 1800 sq/ft of porches, balconies and terraces) laid out and equipped for contemporary lifestyles, but careful to preserve the Old Florida charm. The ground floor of the home offers an open plan living design and features a well equipped kitchen by the modern masters, Bulthaup and a dining area furnished in the minimalist mid-century modern style with superb views towards the water. Large sliding glass doors bring the outdoors in to the living areas and provide plenty of natural light. One en-suite bedroom makes up the ground floor.
Upstairs, there are a further four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The master suite is as large as some condominiums in the Keys and opens on to a large balcony overlooking Florida Bay. All bathrooms are equipped with the best power showers and porcelain from Hans Grohe and Duravit. Large Smart TV’s are situated in the living room and master bedroom and Wi-fi is available throughout the home. Please note the 5th bedroom has two twin beds - the other 4 bedrooms have King beds..
The owner of this home is an avid saltwater fly fisherman and this is reflected in the fine artwork by notable marine artists such as Al Barnes, Tim Borski, Jorge Martinez and Roge Fowler that adorns many wall spaces.
To stay at Ted’s Place is to immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the Florida Keys whilst still enjoying the creature comforts one would expect from modern living. You may find you never want or need to leave the Estate except perhaps by boat – any of the many great fishing guides in the area will be happy to pick you up by skiff or bay boat right at the dock.
