620 Petronia Street, Key West - Renovation Project on Top of Solares Hill

 Just Listed, but not by me, 620 Petronia Street which sits at the tippy-top of Solares Hill in Old Town, Key West, Florida. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"Conch cottage in the X-zone, 3,500+ sq ft lot, 1 off street parking (easily augmented for 2 cars), and just 2 blocks from Duval Street, situated within walking distance of all Old Town has to offer. HARC approved plans by award-winning residential designer, Guillermo Orozco, will convey. Plans include expansion of living space incorporated into the lovely outdoors with a pool. Create your Old Town oasis! Tented in 2013."

The aerial photo above of Solares Hill was taken by Ty Symoski in 1987.  I added the purple arrow and street annotation so that you could see the location of this new listing. I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that 620 Petronia Street existed as of the 1889 map but was then identified as 718 Petronia Street. The address had been changed by the 1899 map. Then I dug into my old shoe box and found photos of 620 Petronia as it existed fifty-one years ago plus photos of the neighboring properties. They are shown below.

These older photos show the way this block looked six decades ago. Our Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) reviews any proposed changes to properties the Old Town historic district. The house at 618 Petronia Street is not historic and is in the process of a major renovation and expansion. The little Shoe Shine Stand at 622 Petronia Street no longer exists. That space is now parking for 620 Petronia St. That building was razed around 1967 before HARC was created. The house at 624 Petronia Street still exists and looks today much like it looked when it was photographed in black and white. The mls description states that HARC approved plans to renovate the property will convey with the sale. I had the occasion to look at the plans which basically re-purpose much of the existing interior and expand the rear of the house with a new addition which will provide new kitchen and living space and covered outdoor living and dining area. A new pool will be added as well. The existing facade will remain pretty much in tact. I've seen and written about other projects Guillermo Orozco has done. They are all quite crisp and clean. I expect the same here if his plans are carried forward by the new owner. Let me share some photos of the existing property which I took on a dreary rainy day in Key West. Then I will explain the proposed changes. Let me make sure you understand: this house is perfectly fine as is. It would benefit from a total renovation to add the features most second home buyers are looking for.

The existing house is pretty simple. There is a very large and wide front entry. There are two small bedroom on the left (west) side of the house. The living room is on the right side. That space flows to the rear where the kitchen is located. There is a second bedroom on the right (west) rear. The one bathroom is located between the kitchen and rear bedroom. The proposed plan would gut the existing interior and reduce the entry hallway. This would allow for the creation of two equal sized bedrooms, each with private bath, at the front of the house. The existing rear shed addition (storage) would be removed. A new addition would allow for the creation of a covered rear deck area. The existing kitchen bedroom area would become an expanded great room.

 The renovated house will have two new bedrooms and baths, a new kitchen and living area plus a new covered outdoor dining and living area, plus a pool and off street parking. This area is a mix of full time residents and houses rented as monthly vacation rentals. The proposed renovation sounds like it could become a great second home or possibly a terrific monthly vacation rental. The renovation of the house next door to the west is almost done. They still need  to finish their interiors and add a pool. The house across the street is getting remodeled as well. The property directly across the street is an active community church. It isn't going anywhere except forward into the future. CLICK HERE to see more photos.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your Perfect Place in Paradise.