The good thing about owning a house on a lane that hardly anybody even knows that it exists is that you probably will not have many drop in guests, Fuller Brush salesmen, or other ne'er do-wells knocking on your door. You probably won't be serenaded as the bars close when locals and tourists find their way back to their homes, apartments, guest houses or hotels. You'll miss out on lines like "Babe I love you!" or "I hate you! Get out of my life!".
The newly listed home at 2 Fletchers Lane in Key West is hidden away on just such a little lane that few people even know exists. If you have a big ego and want everyone to see your big house and talk about how much money or whatever that you may have, this is not the place for you. However, if you want a slice of Old Key West that has been updated and tweaked just ever so nicely, this may be the place you have been looking for.
As frequent readers know the Key West mls is auto-filled with data that comes from the Monroe County Property Appraiser database. Unfortunately, the historic property records were destroyed in the great fire many years ago. Members of the WPA recreated those records but made guesses as to when many of our old homes were built - including 2 Fletchers Lane which the official record says was built in 1924. I looked at the Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West and found what I believe to be this property which I have marked with an "X" on the map below. That map was made in 1892 which tells us the house and rear cottage existed prior to 1899. You will note that the house appears to be placed on an angle. That was not uncommon in olden days. Some houses still sit like that. This house has been re situated so that it now sits parallel with the lane.
I dug into the old shoebox and found a photo of 2 Fletchers Lane taken back in 1965. Compare that with the photo which I took yesterday.
The black and white photo shows 'scuttles' located on the roof. Those were vents used in old construction to allow the hot air that reached the second floor to vent out to the world. Those scuttles are always an indication to me of old construction. The first house I sold in Key West was built around 1824. It had scuttles. I will never forget that house because of its rudimentary but beautiful construction. Also, the front porch still functions as such but the main entrance has been relocated just past the gated side entrance which is barely visible in the above photo.
The main living area is at the rear of the home. The kitchen, dining, and living areas form one great room that has sets of French doors on two sides that provide ample daytime light that is filtered by the palms and tropical foliage on this and nearby properties. The rich cherry floors and warm custom cabinets in the kitchen make the main floor living space extra cozy and comfortable.
The ceiling in the living room soars two stories where you will be amazed to see a glass walkway that extends to the second floor reach deck that looks out to the pool and guest cottage at the rear. What an ingenious mix of old school charm with contemporary design. I seriously doubt that our current HARC would ever permit something so genius to be built today.
There are two bedrooms on the second floor. The master suite is located at the rear of the house. The space is evenly divided between sleeping area, sitting area, dressing room and bathroom. It's almost like the place is a small luxury hotel.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. This property is listed at
$1,123,000. Terri Spottswood is the listing agent and she gave me her permission to write about her new listing.
What must have been the original living room in the olden days is now used as an office. The space reminds me of an old house that has been treated with care for generations. The second bedroom is accessed from a stairway from the office area.
The front porch is still a fine place for sitting and watching - pretty much of nothing. Only a couple of other homes share this tiny little lane. There is no off street parking here. You can drive your car up the lane to unload groceries and things. But you will need to park on nearby Eaton or Grinnell Street. The listing Realtor tells me the owners have parked in the same spot on Eaton Street for as long as they have owned this house.
I don't know if the guest cottage is the original cottage shown on the old Sanborn map or if it was built new. But I know it is pure genius. I have never seen any structure like this in Key West. You enter the cottage by stepping down a step from the pool deck level into this small space that is dark and rich and which almost feels like a cabin in the woods except it is located in Key West, Florida!
Windows on two sides open out from the bar to the pool area where you and your guests can lounge in luxury. I exaggerate not: I want this! This is just too cool.
CLICK HERE to view more photos which I took of this really charming Key West property. But better than that, please call me,
Gary Thomas,
305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This is a truly incredible home. Don't miss this.
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