425 Frances Street Unit 2, Key West -Condo that Feels Like a Single Family Home

Just Listed:  425 Frances Street Unit 2, Key West, Florida. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

" This 2 BD/2 BA condo blends modern tropical charm with the historic beauty of Old Town Key West. High ceilings and lots of natural light accentuate the living space. Choose to relax in your own private backyard and swimming pool, or use the larger community pool and common area shared with just two other units. It's conveniently located less than two blocks from the Historic Seaport and just six blocks from Duval St., walking distance to some of Key West's best restaurants, bars, and galleries. This Old Town Gem is the perfect vacation home or rental property."

I dug down into my old shoebox and found two photos which show 425 Frances Street as it appeared in 1965.  The first thing you will notice is that the house did not have a wrap-around second floor balcony. The photo just above shows the neighboring house at 415 Frances Street which shows a portion of the second floor stairway at 425 Frances Street. This leads me to believe the second floor was used as an apartment for several years before the building was renovated in the late 1990s or early 2000s when the building had three separate apartments. Later those apartments were converted into condominiums and sold off separately.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows this property was built in the 1930s. We know that's not correct because Key West was in financial ruins during the Great Depression and no big houses or small houses were being built then. I checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that that 305 Frances Street existed on this site as early as the 1889 Map and was re-numbered as 425 Frances Street on the 1892 Map. In other words 425 Frances Street existed at least to 1889. I could not find any reference to the building as having been either a single family home or a multi-family residence. The top black and white photo show us it was used as a multi-family residence at least 1965 and probably earlier. 

I believe the wrap-around porch and revamped stairway were added when the apartments were made into condominiums. Today the building has three separate units. The first floor front unit occupies about 50 percent of the first floor living space. Unit 2 is located at the rear and has a private entrance off the walking path on the north side.  The third unit is located on the second floor and is accessed by the exterior stairway. The carport shown in the black and white photo above was removed. That are now has a pool and garden which is shared by the three unit owners. Unit 2 has a separate private pool.

Private Pool for Unit 2

Guests walk down a path on the north side of the building to enter into Unit 2 which has a small foyer.  The guest bedroom is at the right of the foyer entrance. The great room is located a few steps further. I think any person who enters this space will be amazed at the size of the room at least for the first visit. The room seems very wide and that is magnified by the cathedral ceiling. Multiple sets of French doors look out at the private pool and the private garden at the rear. If it weren't for the shared party wall with the unit in the front, this unit looks and flows like a single family home. 

Shared Pool and Garden

 I think buyers who are looking to purchase a single family home or a condo should take a look at this particular property. The privage pool and garden are something totally unique to this place. It really feels like a single family home. And if you compare the size (indoor and outdoor space), it offers more value than just about any other condo available anywhere near the asking price.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 425 Frances Street Unit 2 which is offered for sale at $750,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.