530 Grinnell Street - Key West Cottage with the Character Thing

530 Grinnell Street is located just to the right of the decorated white picket fence.

The Perfect Couple for the Quintessential Key West Cottage reading the Key West Citizen

Just listed, but not by me, is 530 Grinnell Street - another Quintessential Key West Cottage. But this place is priced within the budget goal of many would-be second home buyers. The asking price: $475,000 or $600 per sq ft. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"A delightful cottage on one of Key West's prettiest streets in the very heart of Old Town. This cottage is a triple saw-tooth roofed, board-&-batten frame, with vaulted ceilings in all the rooms, from the living room through the dining room to the kitchen. The spacious bathroom has a laundry closet. Accent wall in the living room of Dade County pine and a stained glass window in the dining room. There's a mango tree in the back yard and the front porch invites one to have a relaxing sit to watch the world go by."

The cottage meets most of the needs of prospective purchasers that are looking for a nice house in a good Old Town location at an affordable price. It has that character thing going on for sure! CLICK HERE to see 530 Grinnell Street as it appeared in the 1960s. It looks the same today. It has two bedrooms and one bathroom. The cottage is 792 sq ft of living space and sits on a 1500 sq ft lot. There is a wood deck in the rear but there is not room for a pool. CLICK HERE to see more of the mls listing information and to view photos of the inside and exterior.


530 Grinnell Street is located between Fleming Street at the north and Southard Street at the south. Five Brothers CLICK HERE is located at the corner of Southard and Grinnell. Azur Restaurant CLICK HERE is located at the corner of Fleming and Grinnell. The Historic Key West Seaport is a five minute walk from the house. Cafe Sole, Michael's Restaurant, and Mangia Mangia are a block away. Duval Street is a five minute walk to the west.

I have not been inside 530 Grinnell Street but I was inside the house next door a few years ago during an Old Island house tour many years ago. I was just awed by that house. It is pretty much the same construction, size, and vintage as 530 Grinnell Street. The owner is designer Michael Pelkey. Every square foot inside and outside was a delight to see. CLICK HERE to see the front porch of his cottage which is also the cover photo on the book Key West A Tropical Lifestyle by Leslie Linsley with photographs by Terry Pommet. I think a lot of buyers have difficulty in visualizing how to create and live in small spaces. Perhaps buying the book or better yet engaging a talent like the incredible Mr. Pelkey would serve one well. (CLICK HERE to read more about Michael Pelkey.)

I think 530 Grinnell Street is priced to sell. It is in that magic price range that so many buyers feel is within their budget. I have an idea to overcome the lack of space to build a pool: make friends with a neighbor. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-76-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.