4 Pinder Lane - Key West - Life on a Really Slow Lane

4 Pinder Lane built in 1859

This Key West property is a singular sensation because of its unique history, architecture, location, and usage. The original part of the home was built in 1859 . It was updated and expanded with contemporary additions in the 1970s.

Sophisticated and understated contemporary addition to 4 Pinder Lane

I first saw this property about three years ago when it was listed (with an adjacent cottage that has since been sold) at the then asking price of $4.5 million. My buyers were so taken by this property that we required a second visit that night to see how wonderful this place shines in the Key West moonlight. Both visits were memorable. The property was just listed, but not by me, at the reduced asking price of $2,995,000.

I remember entering the front door of the original seemingly 'normal' old Key West house only to find the 'old' seemed more like the rest of the house which was contemporary addition built in the 1970s. This place is unlike any other house I have seen in Key West. And I have been inside of a lot of houses.

You know how so many Key West houses are referred to as 'quintessential Key West cottages'. This place isn't one of those. It is the opposite. It is big and sophisticated but at the same time intimate and inviting. This house is a 'party house' that was designed to entertain friends. But there are only two bedroom so your guests must go home at night. No sleepovers.

Seamless transition from livingroom to pool area

Romeo & Juliet balcony overlooks the livingroom

The main living area has an 18' vaulted ceiling with a glass wall of windows and doors that frame the entire room and that look out to the even larger pool and gardens. The design is so comfortable and informal that you immediately feel welcome in this wonderful living space. The brick floors of the livingroom make a seamless transition to the pool area which also has brick pavers. It is as if the outdoors is part of the indoors - only the outdoors 'ceiling' is boundless. The pool area and gardens at night just screamed to have a really swank cocktail party with a hundred of one's closest friends.

The kitchen and dining area are in a separate wing of the house which also has a separate vaulted ceiling. In most houses the kitchen is the 'gathering' where family and friends talk (and drink) while the chef cooks. The kitchen is extra large and designed for entertaining (read more later). The kitchen has French doors that open out to a separate and large garden area.

Both the living room and kitchen have what I call Romeo & Juliet balconies that look down from the second floor core of the house where the two bedrooms are located. I can just see a Jules or Juliet up in the bedrooms running from balcony to balcony looking for Romeo amid all the people below attending some big party.

The listing Realtor describes 4 Pinder Lane like this way:

"Sensational Old Key West history at its best! Dramatic 18' ceilings & multiple glass doors lead to a huge heated pool & tropical gardens, entertaining area, poolside bath & dressing room. Beautiful brick & hardwood floors, a fireplace, dining room & enormous new kitchen that boasts stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, 2 Bosch ovens, 2 Bosch dishwashers, SubZero refrigerator, professional ice machine and 2 commercial sinks. Master suite upstairs includes a sitting room/office, a large dressing room opening to the sundeck. The 2nd bedroom and bath are on the 1st floor. Brick walkways & lush gardens surround the property. There is off-street parking for three cars & a separate storage cottage with vaulted ceiling & French door."

The phrase "Sensational Old Key West history at its best!" refers to the legendary writers, artists, actors, and Key Westers that frequented this one-of-a-kind property over the years. Sharon Well's "See Key West" wrote the owner of Pinder Lane property "introduced Tallulah Bankhead to the island. Clad in flowery pedalpushers, she could sometimes be seen at Fausto’s Food Palace."

Pinder Lane is another slow lane in Key West located in the 500 block of William Street. It dead ends about 250 feet east of William Street where the lane ends at 4 Pinder Lane. Two other homes are located on Pinder Lane as well as a pretty fancy guest cottage that belongs to a main house located on William Street. If you buy 4 Pinder Lane you will have some mighty fine neighbors.

French doors open from kitchen onto a separate bricked terrace and gardens

Notice the second Romeo & Juliet balcony that overlooks kitchen

Interior makes a seamless transition to the pool area

Huge pool with poolside bath & dressing room

If you would like to see this property, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. This place is sensational!