When most people start to consider the purchase of a home in
Key West, they invariably think of buying the quintessential Key West cottage with white picket fence and charm galore. The popularity of these cottages has driven the price up as the supply goes down. I recently showed a new listing in Old Town which is the antithesis of the cottage homes which are so sought after. I think this particular house is well worth consideration. The listing Realtor describes
1114 Margaret Street this way:
"Nationally renowned Architect/Owner created a magical, private hideaway in Old Town Key West. The home perfectly suits the Key West indoor/outdoor lifestyle. The 2013 living room addition at the front of the house is steel beam construction with floor-to-ceiling impact-resistant glass which opens completely to the lush outdoors. The stylish kitchen boasts stainless steel counter & refrigerator and a glass breakfast nook. The large outdoor area at the rear of the house contains a tea house for lounging, a dining area, outdoor kitchen, and bar all surrounding a visually amazing water feature with the sounds of a flowing stream. Ensuite master bedroom and guest room have a clever folding wall, so that they can be transformed into one space. On-street parking is a breeze in this residential area."
When I first stepped into this home I thought I must be walking into an Architectural Digest home because the entire place blended together so perfectly. Then the listing Realtor explained the owner is an architect and designed many of the pieces including artwork, light fixtures, and some furniture. Then it all made sense.
The living room pictured above was added to this home in 2013. At first the space seems like a glass house but then becomes quite private as I look through the glass walls to see that inquiring eyes from without cannot see inside. The north glass wall uses design elements to provide the privacy whereas tropical foliage and a fence provide privacy on the right side. The sun filters through to illuminate the space during the daytime to create a dramatic living space.
As I scanned the room I saw how the the sharp lines were counter-balanced by the curved lines in various pieces of furnished and artwork. Now I realize every home has straight pieces and curved and rounded pieces, but they don't work together like this place. This place did not just happen. It was created. Take a look at the glass breakfast bar which separates the kitchen from the dining area. Notice the two petite curved gray steel chairs. The curves follow through with the plate on the breakfast bar itself and reappear in the dining room chairs and the oval table and wood light fixture above. I stated the obvious: the house is perfect. Then I asked the agent if the house could be purchased as is. It is not offered furnished. But you never know how deals end up getting done.
More clever design is revealed just after you enter the hallway. There is a newly added guest bath which has a tiny illuminated opaque glass sink. I have never seen anything like it.
The guest bedroom is shown in the first picture above. The middle photo shows the master bedroom. The picture immediately above shows what is used as a sitting room off the bedroom. The wall between the master bedroom and sitting room can open to create a more open and fluid space. There is a little office tucked into the recess of the sitting area.
An alcove off the master bedroom leads to the rear sanctuary where the owner created a tea house elevated above the spa. There is an outdoor kitchen and bar area plus a little dining area as well. This is truly one of the most amazing use of outdoor space I have seen in Key West. The space is covered so you can even use in on those few occasions it is raining. And like the living room, while the space is quite open to the external world, it is private. None of the neighboring homes have view into this sanctuary.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 1114 Margaret Street which is offered at $895,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this stunning Old Town home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. The only gingerbread in this home will be the gingerbread man at Christmas.
11 comments:
I recall going thru this house a few years ago on the OIRF house tour. It was magnificent, but sadly the tour guides crammed us in like sardines. We could barely turn around to appreciate all the creative touches.
Did you see the home before or after the new living room was added? I think this is one of the sexiest homes I have seen.
Nice and around the corner from me. I always wondered if they got a variance or were somehow grandfathered as the front of the house is right up to the street/sidewalk and does not seem possibly to comply with the setback requirements.
It was after. Agree with you 100%, the entire place is stylish yet seemed very livable
Anything complies when the owner is on HARC.
HARC requirements are not the same as complying with the setback requirement - I believe that would be subject to Code Enforcement and/or denial of building permits but there is no doubt that rules apply differently to different people/properties. We had to make significant comprises to get approved by HARC unlike that Eaton Street monstrosity and had to reduce the width of our house to comply with a side setback issue (or otherwise seek a variance we were not entitled to)
The original house was a CBS house built in 1968. HARC rules don't apply. Set backs do, and I don't know how that was addressed but all work was permitted. The workmanship is all first rate.
You can hardly see the house through the foliage. The front exterior is wood and blends in with the cigar maker cottages that make up most of this block.
Gary
I'm simply saying that when the owner of this house currently sits on HARC and voted in favor of Eaton getting things done here seems like a piece of cake.
FYI- this part of Margaret tends to flood in heavy rains and always had issues with sewer laterals.
I would report that if I know it to be accurate. United Street is 1 1/2 blocks to the south. It is the second highest point on the island and water runs downhill. You can see the downward slope when you stand in the middle of the street. I have never heard of homes here flooding.
Gary
I live around the corner (since 2011) and the area -Margaret street - does not flood. Virginia Street between Packer and Grinnell does not flood generally but there are areas where it puddles such that the sidewalks are impassable - particularly on the North Side.
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