1307 Newton Street, Key West - The Meadows Area

Just Listed, but not by me, 1307 Newton Street, Key West. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Fabulous Meadows neighborhood central to all things Old Town: White Street art district, Historic Key West Harbor, restaurants and more. Two apartments, front and back for investment or live in one, rent the other. Structurally in good shape--new metal roof 2012-- but building needs refreshing and could easily convert back into a single-family property."

I searched through my old shoebox and found the above black and white photo of this property which was taken fifty-three years ago. Compare it to the recent photo immediately below. The once enclosed front porch was re-opened and the white picket fence was replaced by a galvanized fence. The interior was likely converted from a single family home to the two apartments which currently exist.  The listing Realtor does not mention that this is a legal duplex so my suspicion is that is not. More important, the highest and best use of this property would be as a single family home.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser records show that this house was built circa 1890. I modified the above 1920's aerial map of the area to show the location of 1307 Newton Street. The large area above was the former US Army Barracks which was in use from pre-Civil War and onward. The area to the south (opposite the barracks) was pasture land in the days before houses was built in this area which today is referred to as "The Meadows Area". If you look carefully at the right side of the photo you will see a sandy beach. A local politician "developed" that ground where today there are several condominiums and a couple of commercial businesses.

The Property Appraiser records show the 857 sq ft house sits on a 32' X 83.5" lot (2743 sq ft) lot. Note the existing off street parking space. The interior has been divided into two separate apartments, each with small rooms. The rear unit is entered through a gate at the end of the driveway. There is an existing back yard with a storage shed.  I think a new owner would gut the interior and do a complete renovation. I would open up the enclosed portion of the back porch to expand the porch area to look out to a new pool. In my opinion the lot is large enough to support the addition of a pool. 

It was almost five years ago when I wrote a blog about the house next door at 1309 Newton Street pictured above. That was one of the most viewed blogs I wrote. That house was renovated and is stunning. See the photo below. Imagine how attractive 1307 Newton Street could be if renovated and the trees trimmed.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 1307 Newton Street in Key West offered for sale at $659,000. 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.