1322 Thompson Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Cool.... in Key West!

The new listing at 1322 Thompson Street is the antithesis of the quaint cigar maker's cottages, the big conch houses, or the eyebrow houses that dominate Old Town Key West. Most of those houses are old and have been updated to accommodate today's lifestyle. Some renovations are highly successful while others are often challenged by small buildings, small lots, small budgets, or small imagination.

1322 Thompson Street in east portion of the Casa Marina Area, on the other hand, is a 1958 ranch that was renovated by Debra Yates and Raymond Jungles who created a one-of-a-kind Key West residence that is the essence of 'cool'. The Urban Dictionary defines cool as 'The best way to say something is neat-o, awesome, or swell. The phrase "cool" is very relaxed, never goes out of style, and people will never laugh at you for using it, very convenient for people like me who don't care about what's "in.' At least half the people in Key West are cool by that definition. And so is this residence.


The first time I went to this house I was taken aback. The house sits on a large corner lot on a Key West suburban block (not Old Townish by any stretch of the imagination). The lot dominates its corner location which is enclosed by a large privacy fence. Tall palms and specimen trees ring the inside of the fence and grass that looks like a velvety moss delicately frames the lot at the corner of Thompson and South Streets. As much as I know I live on an "island" I sometimes forget it. This property exudes an island flair as soon as it comes into view.

When you open the gate you walk into an oasis of lush vegetation in all directions. Specimen trees of all types and wondrous foliage separate this property from the hum-drum of so many Home Depot instant gardens.

I don't know whether it is the sound of the waterfall or the vibrant colors of the mosaic tiled wall that draws your attention to the pool. But you cannot avoid looking and hearing and just be captivated with this area. It is like "wow" in every direction you look. This is not what you expect to see-in suburbia.

The house itself is bold in design yet very understated. Travertine marble floors in the main living, dining and kitchen areas keep the tone very low key. A glass wall in the living room looks out to the pool and waterfall. The kitchen sits at the back of the living space and is defined by fire engine red wall with non-traditional horizontal windows over the kitchen sink. An intimate dining room without doors (or pretense) completes this part of the house.


The master bedroom and bath are on the south side of the house. The bedroom is totally understated, but it too has a glass wall that opens out to its own private sitting area. There is a separate Debra Yates mosaic in the master bath. A second bedroom and bath are also located in the main house. And then there is the guest cottage located out under the palm trees. Guests can access this cottage from either the front entry or a side gate on South Street.

Indoor & Outdoor Showers - Way Cool !

The listing Realtor describes the new listing at 1311 Thompson Street this way:
"Wonderful home surrounded by privacy fencing. Just step inside the gate to appreciate Key West living at its best. This CBS home features three bedrooms with three baths. The main house offers two bedrooms and two baths. The master bedrooms is spacious and comfortable with doors leading to a private covered deck. The relaxed environment is perfect for getting away from chaos or entertaining friends and family. Enjoy cooking in the kitchen with plenty of storage space and stainless steel appliances. Each room is designed to appreciate the lush garden area. The outdoor covered lanai is situated by the heated pool with a mosaic mural waterfall wall. A pool house with a full bath is another wonderful feature of this charming oasis."

Let me add this: it is better than that! It is one of those places that just knocks you over when you enter the property. 1322 Thompson Street is offered at $789,000 or $508 per sq ft. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property.

This place is really cool. The super chic modern interiors may not work for those with a yen for an Old Town Conch House. But if you are open to new ideas and want a really beautiful place to call your Key West home, please call me,Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Let me show you this truly remarkable property.