Cool.... in Key West !

Cool.... in Key West !

The new listing at 1322 Thompson Street is the antithesis of the quaint cigar maker's cottages, big conch houses, or 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 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). It's located at the beginning of the mid-town burbs. 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 that delicately frames the lot at the corner of Thompson and South Streets.

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 or the vibrant colors of the mosaic tiled waterfall that draws your attention to the pool. But you cannot avoid looking and hearing and just falling immediately in love with this garden. It is like "wow" in every direction you look. This is not what you expect to see-in suburbia.

The house itself is both 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 fountain. 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 1311 Thompson Street this way:

"Key West is about outdoor space and this home has it all. There is a Privacy fence surrounding this oasis, framed by outstanding landscaping designed by Raymond Jungles and Debra Yates with a spectacular pool with a mosaic waterfall. Off the pool is a large lanai for entertaining. The main home on one level, consists of 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, with an ultra-modern kitchen, comfortable living area and an abundance of glass pocket doors leading to the pool. There is a separate guest suite with a bedroom and bath."

Guest cottage and sun deck

1322 Thompson Street is offered at just $749,000--and that, Dear Readers, is an incredible bargain. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database and to view more listing photos.

If you want to be cool in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. Our office is the exclusive Lower Florida Keys affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.