1008 Packer Street #5 - Key West

 

1008 Packer Street #5 is listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing.  This is a single family home located in a land based condominium. As an owner, you would own the ground under the house in fee simple. The condo association provides deeded parking and walkways between other units, but not this unit has its own parking spot and only abuts on other unit to the rear.

This home has 1491 sq ft of living area on one floor. There are two bedrooms, two baths, a large living area, an even larger great room with combined kitchen, dining, and informal living space with two sets of French doors one that opens out to the private pool and covered porch and the other that opens to a bricked and decked garden area.

The first time I looked at the house I could not tell if the home was newer construction or a renovation because almost everything except some interior finishes looked new.  I thought to myself 'this is good'. I love old our old houses, but I know that new construction or a quality renovation can reduce maintenance expense and insurance costs.  I learned that this house was a superior renovation of an older home that sat at the rear very large land parcel located on Truman Avenue. Then I remembered this home became part of a redevelopment of the entire parcel. In order to circumvent Key West strict new building codes, the new project was redeveloped as land based condominiums which allowed the developer to build houses on much smaller lots than land use laws would require. Since this home already existed, it became a part of the condo development but as as far as I could determine, it has nothing to do with the other units other than being a member of the condo association.

I looked on the historic Sanborn Fire Maps and found 1008 Packer was shown on the 1899 map which means it was built prior to that date. I then looked into the old shoebox and found a grainy photo that shows how the house looked in 1965.  As I said when I entered the house in 2013 I thought it was newer construction. It's not. It is a superior renovation of a solid older home.

1008 Packer Street looks totally different than the house in the 1965 photo. But it is the same place. Today it has new wood siding, wood posts and railings that give the old house and much different look. The front of the house is located near the street.  A new white picket fence and lots of trees and tropical foliage protect the house from the street. The front foliage is so thick that you have to stare to see the house behind the foliage. The lean-to carport is now gone. That space became a apart of the common area of the neighboring property. The private off street parking spot for this unit is located on the south side.  The front entry gate is shown in the photo above.

The old house has been transformed into the epitome of what second home buyers want in a second home in Key West. It has parking, a pool, a beautiful garden, and it oozes charm.  But that's not all. As far as I could see there is no deferred maintenance nor things one could do to make the place more livable.

When you first enter the home you see a very user-friendly kitchen with breakfast bar, handsome cabinetry, high-end stainless steel appliances, and granite counter tops. The tall vaulted ceiling and multiple French doors add lots of light to these spaces.  The living area is located to the right in the photo above. The master bedroom is at the far rear. The dining area is located at the left front and an informal sitting area is out of view on the right front. 

During the cold winter nights up north in America, you and your family can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the deck overlooking your pool.   I'll bet you will be using the outdoor space more than you can imagine. We all do. If its one of those few nights its rainy or chill (very few of those1), you can eat indoors.

The living area is quite informal and flows right back to the kitchen. The front door enters into this room. A stained glass window was added to the transom over the front door. It add height above the door to balance out the adjacent window. A set of French doors on the opposing wall open out to the sun deck. Dade County Pine walls help remind you that this an old house even if it has all the conveniences of being nearly brand new. Note also the use of recessed ceiling lights throughout the house. Lamps are used as accent pieces and not as light providing necessities.

The master bedroom is located at the left front. It has a door that opens out to the revamped original front porch.  The bedroom is quite large by Key West standards. The master bedroom has an en-suite bath. And remember, this home is all on one floor which means no stairs to climb.

The second bedroom is located just off a small hallway. This bedroom uses the Dade County Pine wall to remind us again that this is an old house.  This house may have all the finer appointments of a new home that might be found across America, but it still is an old Key West home that has been preserved and made better than when it was first built. 

You will see that the second or guest bedroom has quick access to the bath which has a second door that enters from the hallway. This home offers a lot of very thoughtful design, large and open living spaces, three different outdoor living spaces, and lots of charm  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this really lovely home. (Click on any photo to enlarge.)

CLICK HERE view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos.  1108 Packer is offered at $865,000. please call me Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule your own personal viewing of this great Key West home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.