More than thirty years ago someone told me one of the best lessons about Key West real estate: you can't tell what a house is like from the front! Look up at the photo of the pool at this freshly renovated Casa Marina Area home. I live a block away and have seen the front of this house for more than twenty-two years. I have written about it a couple of times over the years and even remarked that a new owner could add a pool. I never expected to see a view like this. It is stunning.
The listing Realtor describes 1105 Washington Street in Key West this way:
"Remarkable Renovation, resulting in a stunning restful retreat. An easy stroll to the Ocean, this One Level Gem is located in heart of Casa Marina District. The combination of finishes and design creates a beach house ambiance, from Stunning wood finished walls, Sparkling Quartz Kitchen and Gorgeous tiled floors. Each of the three bedrooms feature ensuite bathrooms, finished with soft hues of gray and white tile and quartz. Two sets of French doors open out from the living room to stunning Keystone Paved Deck and New pool with cascading waterfalls. Metal roof, Impact Glass windows and Doors and concrete structure will contribute to low insurance costs while providing high energy efficiency and protection. Plenty of room for parking, with one off street spot and additional street parking."The design is very efficient and pragmatic. It is sort of akin to what you might expect in Scandinavia. It is cool, modern, and sleek. Two of the three bedrooms are located at the front. Both have large en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets. The porcelain tile floors look like wood but are much easier to clean and maintain. The quartz counter-tops in the bathrooms are plain elegant. I was especially taken by the front right bathroom with a built-in linen closet of sorts that reminds me of houses back in the 1950s. New wood walls were added to various rooms in the house including the bedrooms. This design element offers a change of pace from typical drywall. Other design elements used throughout the house include recessed ceiling lights, large baseboards, trim, crown molding, and matte black hardware. Each bedroom has windows which look out to the front porch and fenced front yard. The new owner will get to landscape the house with as much or as little vegetation as desired. I am a firm believer that less is more because everything grows in Key West except hair. (I have all of mine.) I would keep tropical plantings to a minimum because they will grow, but it you add too much or too tall plants, you won't be able to see the house or the street.
The renovation added another design element that did not previously exist. The house was sort of bisected and a center hall added. The hall also has wood walls and a couple of doors. One leads to the laundry area. But it is the hall itself that adds to the drama of arrival at the open great great room at the rear of the house and the cool pool view beyond. Then the guest cottage (or third bedroom) appears.
The great room is designed for Key West laid back living. It you use this house as a full time home or a part time getaway place, you will spend a lot of time outdoors. That is what we all do. That is why we moved here - to enjoy the wonderful Key West weather. The French doors will be open throughout most of the year and family members and guests will be inside and outside all the time.
The bathroom for the rear bedroom does double duty as the guest bath for the main house. A door off the living room provides easy access. The third bedroom could easily be a home office or a painter's cottage or writer's studio for most of the time until the grand kids show up.
White Street Pier in the 1970s |
Higg's Beach 2003 |
Sandy's Cafe 2016 |
CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then please give me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, a phone call to set up a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me take you around the neighborhood and you may just fall in love with another part of Key West that you never thought of.
5 comments:
Gary,
I wish you and all of Key West the best of luck during Hurricane Irma. I hope it tracks away from you and lessens in category strength so Key West ends up with the best possible outcome. Please stay safe. I love reading your blog and dream of one day buying a house in paradise from you. I'm sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.
-Julie
Hi Gary,
I visit your blog from time to time and always thought if I hit the lotto, we'd become good friends after you found me a great house. I am really afraid of what Hurricane Irma may have done to paradise, but more importantly, I hope you are OK. I imagine you are going through hell emotionally, trying to reconcile what has happened down there, but please post something so we all know you are OK.
Regards,
John
Hi Gary, Wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you. We understand that Key West fared fairly well during Irma (relatively speaking). We hope that this is true and that you are safe and well.
DEAR READERS: We have had electricity for a couple of days. I don't have it at my house, but my Ex does and we are sharing the coolness of his sweet home. We just go internet a few minutes ago.
My house is fine. Some roof damage, but no bid deal. I lost four small trees and have a lot of what I call tropical foliage to pick up. I have been picking it up for days and days. My landscape guy is nowhere to be found.
I am working on a blog to to tell the story of this storm.
Thanks for ALL the kinds texts, phone calls, and emails I received. i truly appreciate the care and concern people have shown.
I will tell you in the blog when the magnitude of what happened affected me the most.My broker, Laurie McChesenty, had the same reaction.
Gary
Gary, we are glad to hear your ok.
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