901 Washington Street - Casa Marina Mid-Century Reduxe

Loyal Readers of my blog (Thank You, All!) know that I live in the Casa Marina area of Key West.  I love the area and have never regretted leaving Old Town nineteen years ago to move to the Casa Marina.  For many years I would ride my bike west past 901 Washington Street on my may to the Club Body Tech when it was located at Duval Square. I remember remarking to myself how out of place the house looked amid all the other lushly landscaped homes in the area. I dug into the old shoebox and found a photo of 901 Washington Street as it appeared in 1965 (black and white photo above). The old chain link fence and stark landscaping (or lack of any landscaping) contrasted with swaying palms and lush tropical foliage that envelopes the south end of the island.  Then around 2003 a new owner began remodeling the house that was originally constructed in 1958. The entire house was redone on the inside and outside. A pool and garden were added.  A privacy wall was built  - peering eyes like mine were no longer able to peer. That would be the end of the story on most properties were an expensive renovation was done, but that was not the case here.

The owner who did the 2003 renovation moved on to a different home, also located in the Casa Marina area.  The new owners of 901 Washington Street recently completed an amazing transformation of what was already a beautiful home.  The newest version of 901 Washington Street is stunning. I do not want to diminish the 2003 renovation. The new incarnation reflects the tastes of the present owners and their designer, David Smith, who transformed this entire house into a work of art. The transformation included the addition of a second floor extension over the original one story front room seen in the black and white photo. New impact windows and doors were added throughout the house. The windows became "more than windows" - they became "picture frames" that focused attention on the beautiful exterior views.

The windows in the original front room were removed. That space became a covered outdoor living area with views of the private garden and pool. A dining pavilion was created off the kitchen, again with windowless openings out to the gardens. Outside pavers are Egyptian limestone; front porch furniture by Dedon.

Two first floor folding doors by Eurowall open the interior living area out to the pool and east gardens. New porcelain tile floors were added throughout most of the house and extend out to the pool area to provide an invisible transition from inside to outside and vice versa. The kitchen counter top was replaced with an amazing slab of agate. This is a look I have never seen before. And it is flawless. Since the building was constructed of concrete, the designer created a network of wires to suspend lights to illuminate the revamped living room.  The dining room chandelier was custom made in New York City by Lindsay Adelman. Light became art. Windows became picture frames. Floors and walls became a showcase to display furniture and objects all of which created a visual sensation that I totally did not expect. I was awed.

The stairway to the second floor morphed into a museum-like space for the display of art. Note the porcelain tiled floors, black framed impact glass windows, drop ceiling, and pin-point light fixtures seamlessly blend together to create a subtle showcase that lures you up the stairs and peeks your curiosity as to what more magic might await you in the bedrooms.

There are two guest rooms each with en-suite baths.  The east bedroom has a picture perfect view of the poolside sculpture by Debra Yates. The specially crafted doors and other design elements flow from room to room, each unique in character, but each a part of a unified whole. Nothing is left to chance.

The west bedroom has a rooftop sundeck where one could catch some rays of our magnificent sun.  The floors in the guest bedrooms are acacia wood.

It is, however, the master suite that just boggles the mind. This space includes a lounge area complete with morning kitchen. The sectional is by Roche Bobois. The walk-in closet has lots of built-in drawers and racks.  The tray ceiling, coved lighting, and natural toned walls and porcelain floors set the stage for entry into the bedroom chamber. All rugs are silk from Rug Company.

The master bed was designed by Minotti. The bed sits in front of an incredible wall tile that was finished in place. The wall looks like ripples of sand turned on its side. It begs to be touched to see what it might be.  Bartel sliding doors in the master bedroom are made of macassar wood. The bathroom rivals an expensive spa at some exotic resort. 

The exterior siding was completely restored. The new natural color contrasts with the black window frames which in turn dramatically contrast with the naturally occurring colors of the sky and tropical foliage.

 901 Washington Street is offered at $3,000,000 by Preferred Properties Key West.
CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of 901 Washington Street located in the Casa Marina area of Key West.  If you are looking to buy a home in the Casa Marina area or any place else in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642  or by email at kw1101v@aol.com to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.