The original Moorings was built in 1936 as a private estate. It consisted of several dwellings; one of them was known as the Main House, the others were its dependencies and guesthouse.

In the 60’s, Hurricane Donna devastated Islamorada. Afterwards, the property was purchased by Mr. Ralph Edsell, Sr., who transformed it into a small resort. The Main House was divided into two apartments and another house was built raising the number of accommodations to five.

In 1988, The Moorings was purchased by the present owner and underwent an extensive face-lift and remodeling. It reopened in 1989 under the same name.

In 1989, a piece of land north of The Moorings was the subject of a development scheme which would have consisted of 200 oceanfront units. After a long battle, The Moorings was able to purchase the land as well as an adjacent and once disruptive industrial park.

After a year of careful planning, construction plans began to add 14 new cottages. In order to create a sense of harmony, the new cottage architecture does not differ too much from that of the original ones.

The Moorings has been built around the existing landscape, enhancing what nature has provided rather than adapting nature to us. We worked with what was there as much as possible and we will continue to work to protect the environment.