SAVING THE SOUND: Bight Board Recommends Long-Term Deal for Buffett’s Historic Studio

Proposed lease would restore Shrimp Boat Sound as a working studio, interactive music museum and small outdoor tropical drink bar.

KEY WEST, FL — The fate of Jimmy Buffett’s iconic, windowless recording studio at the Historic Seaport took a major step forward this week. At its July 15 meeting, the Key West Bight Management District Board voted 4–1 to recommend a comprehensive lease package for the historic Shrimp Boat Sound facility on Lazy Way Lane.

The approved recommendation would hand the reins to David Bernsen dba Shrimp Boat Sound Key West, LLC under a 10-year initial term featuring two five-year renewal options. The unified vision aims to fully restore the concrete structure into a functional working studio, an interactive music museum, and a small, 20-seat outdoor tropical drink and margarita bar.

While the advisory board’s approval marks a major milestone, the deal is not finalized. According to sources close to the matter, the lease language is now being fast-tracked for placement on the full Key West City Commission and Caroline Street Corridor Community Redevelopment Agency calendar for a definitive vote this August.

The “Lost” Tracks and the Coral Reefer Connection
Beyond the physical restoration of the building—which was completely emptied of its instruments and vintage Neve mixing console by the Buffett estate last year—the boardroom discussions dropped a major revelation for music fans.

Official Request for Proposals documentation confirms the existence of a treasure trove of unreleased, archival Jimmy Buffett master tracks recorded at the studio over the decades.

This revelation ties directly back to Buffett’s longtime musical director and Coral Reefer Band leader, Mac McAnally. McAnally, who co-produced Buffett’s final 2023 studio album, Equal Strain on All Parts, has been quietly working in step with the estate to preserve Jimmy’s sonic legacy.

While McAnally has not publicly announced a track list or release date (though rumor has March 2027 as a projection), the city paperwork legally binds the project together: if and when these archival master recordings are commercially mixed and released, a dedicated portion of the studio’s streaming and sales royalties will be funneled directly back into Key West community charities.

Who is David Bernsen?
To the public, David Bernsen has been affectionately dubbed by locals as the “barefoot idealist with a real estate portfolio, trailed by troubadours and true believers.” Behind the laid-back island moniker, however, is a sophisticated operator with deep roots in technology, hospitality and entertainment.

Hospitality Roots
Bernsen is well known in the Duval corridor as the former majority owner of the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, a local live-music hub that anchors the annual Key West Songwriters Festival.


Gaming and Tech Executive
Nationally, Bernsen serves as a principal executive for the Las Vegas-based Global Wagering Group LLC, directing advanced digital infrastructure and pari-mutuel wagering technologies for the international horse racing industry. Under David A. Bernsen LLC, he is also a prominent thoroughbred racehorse owner, campaigning stakes winners across the American racing circuit.


The Inside Track
What ultimately won Bernsen the lease over competing corporate bids was his personal equity with Buffett’s inner circle. Rather than approaching the Bight as a standard developer, Bernsen secured direct, written backing from McAnally, country stars Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown, and Buffett family members including daughter Savannah and sister LuLu.

What Happens Next
By structure, Bernsen’s operating model ensures that while the outdoor margarita bar handles standard commercial overhead, 100% of the profits generated by the recording studio will go straight to local Key West nonprofits—a structure many locals hope the City Commission will enthusiastically lock in next month.

Reality Check for Fans
Even if an agreement is signed, the facility is months – if not years even – away from fruition. Extensive renovations will be required with each step mired in city and HARC processes and approvals. Stay tuned for updates.

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