Key Island Estate Overview
General
Description
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Key island Estate is
one of only handful of very private residences on Keewaydin
Island. an often-uncharted island at the headwaters of the
Ten Thousand Islands on Florida's Gulf Coast. More than 90%
of the island is state-owned and managed. The eleven acres
of Key Island Estate at the southernmost tip make up one of
the most private of enclaves. as it is completely surrounded
by nature preserves under the care of the Rookery Bay
National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Department of
Environmental Protection_
Getting
There
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Access to the island is by boat only. The closest airport is
Naples with charter jet capabilities. The primary airport is
Southwest Florida International airport, approximately 45
minutes north in Fort Meyers. Go south on 1-75, take Exit
101 (Marco Island, CR. 951), just north of the Alligator
Alley tollbooth. Go south on 951 for about 7 miles. crossing
U.S. 41 and continuing another 6 miles to Isles of Capri
Road. Turn right and follow the road two miles to Pelican
Bend Marina. Water taxi service is by appointment.
Architecture & Design
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The 6,000 square foot main house is the stuff of dreams, a
grown-up's vision of his boyhood tree house; a sportsman's
lodge reminiscent of turn of the century pioneer days.
Virtually disappearing windows open the house completely to
the sea air and the 360-degree wraparound wood-planked
screened verandah offers perfect vantage points to marvel at
the pink, lavender and fiery orange sunrises and sunsets.
A central
core houses the restaurant-style kitchen, guest bath and
staircase to the very private rooftop Owner's Suite with
balconies overlooking the estuaries, the Gulf and the
Intercoastal Waterway. Breezeways from the main house lead
to rustic-style sleeping pavilions housing four bedroorns
(two queen rooms and two bunk rooms) and two baths.
Game
tables, deep leather sofa and a massive bar testify to the
Estate's origin as a sportsman's retreat. Native tarpon and
snook are honored in artful form, from hand-painted tiles
inset into the bar, to the owner's first-place trophy earned
in one of the world's most prestigious catch-and-release
tarpon tournaments.
Savvy
fishing guides in the area say that some of the area's best
trophy fish have been caught right beside Key Island
Estate's private fishing pier, also a favorite feeding spot
for the shy, curious manatee.
At the
front door, a private 50-foot dock can accommodate several
boats or a yacht up to 100 feet. At the back door, a
boardwalk crosses sea-oat covered dunes to the exquisitely
pristine, deserted beach. where the most frequent visitors
are neat blue herons, snowy egrets, and a dozen varieties of
sandpipers and gulls. Hundreds of giant loggerhead turtles
come ashore each spring to make their nests, and all year
long, playful bottlenose dolphins cavort in the shallow
waters just beyond the sea grapes give clues to the quiet
presences of the privileged few.
The
Owners
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Key Island Estate is the treasured retreat of Stacey and Jim
Kanzler, a Chicago-area couple who built their own separate
highly successful corporations at a young age. Since
acquiring the property in 1999 from its original
builder/owner, they have enjoyed the lodge exclusively as a
family escape from the stresses of the business world.
Enhancement Project
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At the pleadings of
houseguests, the Kanzlers decided to make the estate
available, when they are not in residence, as a rustic-chic
island refuge. They began the $500,000 enhancement program
in early 2003, adding a caretaker's quarters, a welcoming
shade hut and a Balinese Style spa pavilion. Their goal is
to retain the rustic island ambience while adding the level
of interior appointments and amenities that will appeal to
the most discriminating tastes.
Enhanced low-impact
landscaping, respectful of the sensitive island ecosystem,
will showcase the native vegetation while maintaining
privacy and romance, with subtly lighted pathways, a gazebo,
and an expanded outdoor pavilion. Interiors are being
refreshed, reminiscent of Old Florida sporting clubs of a
century past, with "island chic" furnishings selected for
comfort without fussiness, rich with the textures of
leather, rattan and native woods, exquisite fabrics, tfne
linens and regional art.
After the completion of the
2004 renovation. Key Island Estate has become a dream
location, not only for sports fishermen, eco-adventurers and
honeymooners, but also for executive retreats, weddings,
family reunions, fundraisers and alumni gatherings, and for
anyone seeking absolute, uncompromised privacy.
Amenities
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Key Island Estate is fully equipped with the amenities one
would expect in an island retreat, from beach lounge to
fishing gear, linens to cookware, reading materials to
big-screen TV and VCR and fully equipped professional
kitchen.
The Lodge
has its own generator with back-ups, and water treatment
plant for abundant. tasty water, There is no telephone
service on the island. so guests are required to have cell
phones.
Island
Pursuits
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The shallow waters of the Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf
of Mexico are among the richest in the world for tarpon,
snook, grouper, snapper and redfish. Both surf casting and
pier fishing are superb right on Key Island Estate. Private
fishing charters with renowned local guides can he arranged
in advance or upon arrival.
Self-guided
or escorted eco-tours via pontoon boat, kayak or canoe are
available through the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve
or private local guides. Wildlife sightings include a vast
variety of sea birds and birds of prey, alligators, raccoons
and wild boar, dolphins and manatees. Sharp eyes may
occasionally glimpse baby ospreys in their nests, a shy
bobcat or even the rare Florida panther.
During sea
turtle nesting season. between May and October, moonlight
beach walkers may be rewarded with the sight of a giant
loggerhead emerging from the sea. Morning walkers may join
up with Rookery Bay biologists to inspect recently-hatched
nests, or observe the rescue of tiny hatchlings left behind.
Guests of
Key Island Estate may wish to participate in the
eco-sensitive work Of the Friends of Rookery Bay and enter
their volunteer activities and observations in the official
Volunteer log book for the Rookery Bay National Estuarine
Research.
Booking
the Estate
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The Privately owned residence is available to one group at a
time, whether an individual, couple or up to 14 people.
Special events such as wedding, receptions, private dinner,
and executive retreats can be hooked by the day, subject to
availability.
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