Easy Living in the Casa Marina Area

Vintage Photo of the Casa Marina Hotel

Most would-be second (or third or fourth) home buyers usually select the Old Town area of Key West as the target location for their potential new home. I understand the allure of the old houses, cute little lanes, and nearness to so many of the attractions that makes Key West such a wonderful place to visit (and live). The Casa Marina area of Key West offers a mixed variety of small, medium, and large homes plus a few estate type properties which share nearness to the ocean and perennial quietness as an extra bonus.

The Casa Marina area was developed a bit later than Old Town. Some of the houses are the traditional two story Grand Conch houses that we see in Old Town. But more are 1950's and 1960's vintage homes that have been updated and enlarged to meet the demands of today's lifestyle. Most of the homes in this area sit on lots much larger than you will find in Old Town. Many of the homes in the area sit back from the street in yards fenced for privacy.

701 Washington Street is protected from the street by lush vegetation

The home at 701 Washington Street is located two blocks north of the Casa Marina Hotel and just two blocks east of Duval Street. That location offers the best of both worlds because you can walk to the Casa or on Duval Street in about five minutes. But this house offers so much easy living that you may not find a need to go anywhere else. The listing broker describes the property this way:

"Lovely Spanish style home in the Casa Marina District was completely renovated in 2009 with the highest quality materials, including a new barrel tile roof with roof terrace. All floors are natural stone and hardwood, the baths have granite and onyx throughout and there are many suntubes which provide natural lighting. The family room doors are custom 8' Mahogany bifolds and open to the lovely pool area. With custom windows, doors and iron gates, there are too many details to mention here. This beautiful estate is a must see!"

Game room at the east end of the house overlooks the pool

701 Washington Street sits on a large 10,600 (l00'x106') lot at the corner of Vernon and Washington Streets. It offers 3488 sq ft of living space on one level. There are several living areas including a formal living room, game room with vaulted ceiling, and a family room that is adjacent to the kitchen. The windows and doors in the living areas were custom made in Honduras and offer windstorm protection to to 155 mph.

Custom made windows and doors

The master bedroom suite is at the rear and includes a separate sitting room, office, bedroom and en-suite bath with sunken tub, shower, and the necessities. The master suite is larger and much more plus than many condos near Old Town. A door opens from the master suite to a spa located just outside the door-the perfect spot for late night relaxation.

Game room on the left and family room to the right

The house has a total of four bedrooms and five bathrooms. Each bedroom is large and unique in design. The bathrooms feature a variety of high bath fixtures, tiles, marble and other hard surface materials, and dramatic light fixtures.

The extra large and very sunny pool runs north and south and can be entered from the game room to the east, the family room to the west, or the master suite to the north. A spiral staircase provides access to the rooftop sundeck. CLICK HERE to view photos I took of this property.

While they still may not putt on the grounds at the Casa Marina, the hotel is still an integral part of life in Key West. You can purchase a membership to the Casa Marina beach club and use the gym, spa, and beach as often as you want. I recently sold a home in the area to a doctor and his family who joined the club. They are delighted with the decision because it enhances the easy living lifestyle in the Casa Marina area.

If clubs aren't your thing, nearby Higg's Beach is free. Doggie Beach is one block from 701 Washington Street and Louie's Backyard and the After Deck Bar are located next to the beach. Salute` on the Beach is a much cheaper place to eat and the views are always interesting. Being able to go wherever you want whenever you want is priceless.

Louie's Backyard on the left and Doggie Beach on the right

Higg's Beach is free and very inviting

The pier off Higg's Beach

Salute` on the Beach

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view lots of listing photos of this wonderful property. 701 Washington Street is offered at $2,495,000. If you would like to see this property please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Reality, Inc. I live in the Casa Marina area and know how easy living can be there. Take the time to find out for yourself.