726 Windsor Lane, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, but not by me, 726 Windsor Lane in the Historic District of Key West. The small cigar maker cottage that once stood on this lot was destroyed by fire several decades ago.  I found a photo of the original house which is shown and captioned below. A new concrete block structure was built in 1975. I found a photo of the house before the stucco siding was applied.  According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser the current house is 1840 sq ft and sits on a 33' X 65' (2145 sq ft) lot. The Key West Cemetery is located about one block to the east. The top of Solaris Hill (the highest point on the island that is Key West) is located about one block to the northwest (see the night time photos).

726 Windsor Lane - Destroyed by Fire

726 Windsor Lane as it was being built in 1975

Windsor Lane at night

630 Elizabeth Street - the top of Solaris Hill as viewed from Windsor Lane

I blogged about 728 Windsor Lane the little house next door to the east in 2009 when it was offered for sale. I showed that place many times and tried my best to get someone to buy it. I extolled the potential of the would-be charmer. I didn't sell it, but somebody bought it. And today it is the final stages of renovation. Below are a couple of shots of the 728 Windsor in 2009 and a couple of the renovation in progress. You will also see a 726 Windsor (today's new listing) in these photos.

I realize not every buyer is going to want a CBS house located in the historic area. But I will be a lot of people would like a large sturdy house that they could renovate. Unlike our old wooden houses, 726 Windsor Lane could be torn down and a new wood house built on the lot. A more practical and less costly renovation might include replacing the existing concrete front porches with wood porches and adding Hardiboard siding to the sides. I would replace the metal and glass windows with wood six over six wood windows. All of a sudden the big CBS would disappear and blend into the beautifully emerging new city scape.

I doubt that a new owner would be able to get permission to add a pool to the rear yard. But there is plenty of room to add a covered porch and garden.  A new owner could add a hot tub because hot tubs are portable and do not require a building permit.

726 Windsor Lane is located across the street from the Key West Writers compound and around the corner from CHARLIES GROCERY. Charlies is the only commercial business for a couple of blocks.  Duval Street is only a five minute walk to the west. The historic seaport is a five to seven minute walk down William Street or Elizabeth Street. There are charming houses all over the place. You will figure out how to make 726 Windsor Lane your place in Paradise.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and to view listing photos of 726 Windsor Lane that is offered for sale at $975,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.