Sunset Key, Private island resort and residential neighborhood in Key West, United States
Sunset Key is a 27-acre private island featuring white sand beaches, gardens with bougainvillea flowers, and oceanfront cottages linked by footpaths throughout. The buildings and pathways form a residential community surrounded by water near Key West.
The U.S. Navy built the location in 1965 as a fuel depot during the Cold War and called it Tank Island. The property was later sold to private buyers in a government auction in 1986.
Life here revolves around being without cars, and instead people move about by golf cart while spending time on the water and outdoors. This way of living shapes how everyone experiences and uses the island.
Ferries depart every 15 minutes from Margaritaville Marina, carrying residents and guests between Key West and the island. The ride is short and frequent, making trips easy to schedule throughout the day.
Beneath the island run old fuel lines from the military era that now carry water, sewage, and electricity. This hidden infrastructure shows how a former military installation was repurposed for modern residential use.
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