New Key West Historic Inn

A 19th century guesthouse is the latest addition to the Historic Key West Inns collection, which now includes six properties in Old Town.

The Cypress House, at the corner of Caroline and Simonton streets, was sold on Feb. 3 to Julie Fondriest, owner of the guesthouse collection that also includes the Key Lime Inn, Merlin Guesthouse, Chelsea House, Albury Court and Lighthouse Court.

Fondriest is planning several improvements to the property, which includes 22 rooms, said property manager Kristy Wilson.

"She's ordered all new furniture for the pool, as well as new linens and mattresses," Wilson said. "She's also eliminating shared baths so that all the rooms will include a private bath."

Wilson also emphasized that the guesthouse will continue to host its popular social hour in the evenings with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres for guests, as well as breakfast in the morning.

"A lot of people thought the cocktail hour was going to go away, but we're keeping it," Wilson said.

Cypress House's longtime innkeeper Dave Taylor, who hosted the cocktail hour, no longer works there.

"We were sad to see him go," Wilson said. "He was so popular with the guests."

The former private estate includes two Bahamian-style Conch houses and one "Grand Conch Mansion" that were built between 1888 and 1895, according to the inn's website.

The estate originally belonged to Richard Kemp, an avid naturalist who moved his family to Key West from the Bahamas, and for whom the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle was named, after he submitted the species for identification in 1880.

His brother, William, introduced sponges from Key West waters to New York, and both brothers became prosperous from the venture, the website states.

The main building, made of pine and cypress wood, remains unpainted in the traditional style of the 1800s, as those particular woods did not require a coat of paint to protect them from the island's harsh elements.

mmiles@keysnews.com

Source: http://keysnews.com/node/38538