Enchanting 1325 South Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

1325 South Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

The listing agent for the just listed 1325 South Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West invited me to tour the property yesterday. I actually went over in the early morning to take some post-sunrise photos of the front. I was not particularly taken by the ranch facade, so I decided not to take any photos at that time. A few hours later I arrived just as other agents were leaving with big smiles and hearty thanks being said to the listing agent. Hmm! I thought. I looked inside the front yard that is protected from the street by a privacy fence and saw a totally inviting garden. I was starting to get impressed.


I passed the double door threshold and entered the huge living room with beamed vaulted ceiling that drew my eyes to the height of this space but then my eyes were drawn in multitude of conflicting directions. Each way I looked I saw something that beckoned me to go there first. How different this house was than what I expected. This is not a "typical" ranch or typical anything else. This is a unique Key West property.

The office or study located at the east end off the living room

The living room extends east to west. Real wood floors give the space a rich feeling. The floors seemed solid as compared to so many manufactured floors that look and feel fake or flimsy or both. An office is located on the east side of the living room. The office is shuttered off from the main living area when necessary, but I'll bet the shutters are rarely used. The space has windows on the east and south providing natural light.

One bedroom with an adjacent sitting area and bath are located at the east rear side of the house. The bedroom area has two sets of French doors that look out toward the pool and garden. My eyes urged me to go outside, but my head demanded that I look at the remainder of the house before I go outside.

Vaulted outdoor entertaining area

A den or family room is located on the west rear side of the house. It has French doors that open onto the covered rear entertaining area. The outdoor and indoor spaces merge into one larger alternate living area that is seen in other homes-usually priced much higher than this one.

A second large bedroom and bath are located at the west front. Again the space is large which is not normally the case in ranch homes.


The kitchen is bright, huge, and terribly inviting. I saw so much joy in this space. I know any amateur iron chef would be proud to do battle in this space. Dark black counter tops and drawer pulls set off the stark white cabinets. Another set of French doors open from the kitchen onto the covered rear entertaining area. Do you notice a pattern here of spaces that flow from one use to another and that permit the two spaces to merge into a common usage?


The outdoor entertaining area is protected by a beamed tall canopy that somewhat apes the spatial feeling from inside the house. The current owners use that space as an extension of the living area. A separate dining area is located opposite the large rectangular pool. In point of fact there are several 'vignettes' in the garden that has more of the feel of an English garden than a tropical Key West garden. But everything there is tropical. It just looks more sophisticated than most gardens I normally see. This garden did not just happen. It was planned and it has been nurtured and maintained.


There is a small cottage the rear of the property. It is currently used as a potting shed. I think some new owner might want to make it into a guest room. Guests would beg to be sent to the shed. The garden, of course, is close to the ground. Surrounding trees from neighboring properties provide a luscious canopy that frames the otherwise bright skyscape in the garden.


1325 South Street has 1620 sq ft of living space consisting of three bedrooms, two baths under roof. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"A lush tropical experience awaits you in this beautiful home just east of the Casa Marina section of Key West. Historic home with three bedrooms plus den, open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, one floor living, spacious gourmet kitchen and great outdoor seating areas. Split floor plan provides privacy to master suite from guest areas. Hardwood floors, tropical colors and private setting. Off-street parking, amazing pool and huge tropical lot. Close to beaches, restaurants and the White Street Arts District. A Hidden Tropical Oasis For Tranquil Island Living."

CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of this wonderful property. And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and view listing photos. Click both and don't miss anything on this property.

If you would like to see 1325 South Street please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. You will surely agree with me that this Key West property is enchanting.