1020 Von Phister Street, Key West - Casa Marina Contemporary

The listing Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West describes 1020 Von Phister as a

"Custom built home, contemporary designed by an award wining Architect in 2002, in the heart of the Casa Marina. Located 3 blocks from the beach and tennis courts. There are 3 ensuite bedrooms, office and laundry room with marble floors throughout. Kitchen has been renovated with all new appliance and high tech lighting. Sliding glass doors reveal an outstanding tropical landscaping and large pool with a great water feature. In the master suite there are his and her bathrooms with closets. Off the master is an incredible private outdoor shower, orchid garden and deck. This home is complete with a full house generator and hurricane shutters. Two off street parking place with rolling gates. Can be bought fully furnished."

I know this area well because I have lived about 100 feet east of 1020 Von Phister Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West since 1995. I watched as the old house previously located here was torn down and the present house was built. Construction was completed in 2002. This home is of two houses designed by internationally famous architect Yum Kee Fu. (The other house is located on nearby South Street.) 

While this home is contemporary in style, the spaces are designed for traditional uses. So many contemporary homes have big open areas that are a mush of uses. This home has specific rooms for specific uses. You never have to guess what you are supposed to do in a particular place. It is purposeful. It is graceful. And it is classy!

The main entry hall is long and broad. Art and objects can be displayed luring the guest to the expansive two story living room at the rear.   One wing juts to the right where two of the guest bedrooms, each with en-suite bath, are located. A wide opening just off the entry vestibule leads to the office, laundry, and kitchen.

The main floor bedroom at the pool side is a wonderful guest suite for today.  In later years it would make a great master bedroom in case the stairway becomes a bit of a daily challenge. The space, layout, and amenities are superior. You would not be "making do" or "getting by".

The second guest bedroom is located on the main floor as well. It has its own private outdoor sitting area plus a spacious en-suite bath.

A wall of windows and travertine marble stairway lead to the second floor master suite and rooftop orchid garden. The master bedroom area includes separate his and hers baths (or his and his or hers and hers baths - this is Key West!).

The rooftop sundeck and shower provide ultimate privacy for sunning and communing with nature. You will find it a rare day when you use the bath or indoor shower with such a beautiful outdoor shower so handy. You will not find any neighbor that has a view of the rooftop deck or the pool. 

The backside of the roof has solar panels which produce a substantial part of the energy for this home. The house actually sells energy back to Keys Energy on some days. If for some reason the sun is not cranking out electricity, the house comes with a back-up generator. (And there is the old fashioned electric line in from the street.)

The rooftop deck provides a great view of the pool and rear garden area. This space is totally secluded. The adjacent property to west runs all the way from Flagler Avenue to Von Phister Street. The home for that parcel is located on Flagler. The rear yard is filled with ancient trees that provide  shade and privacy to the owner of 1020 Von Phister Street.

1020 Von Phister Street is offered at $1,500,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos.  I took some additional photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

Even though I live in the Casa Marina area and, in fact, live about 100 feet east of 1020 Von Phister Street, I decided to do some internet surfing to find some words penned by others that describe the area. I found William McKeen's discussion in  MILE MARKER ZERO:The Movable Feast of Key West where he wrote about Thomas McGuane's purchasing the house across the street.

"He sold the Ann Street place and bought a second home in Key West. This house on (1011) Von Phister Street was in a tonier neighborhood, just a mile across the island, but another world from the drunken debauchery and temptations of Duval Street. The new place was near the Casa Marina, Henry Flagler's enormous resort hotel at the end of the continent. The neighborhood was quiet, home to the cleris of Key West, a better place for his wife and you son, with a guesthouse out back he could use as a writer's studio. It was as close to a cloistered suburban life as the crowded little island could allow."

I'm not sure I'd describe Casa Marina as a cloistered suburban life. But it sure is located another world from Duval Street. I love living in the Casa Marina area. And I am really serious about the beauty of the very special home at 1020 Von Phister Street. If you buy this house you will not regret it. This is one of the very best locations in all of Key West! Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 to schedule a showing of this property. You will be very pleasantly surprised. I am buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.