Open House Today - 1413 Von Phister Street, Key West

Now that I have your attention, let me tell you how I host Open Houses. First, I don't ask anybody to give me their names or contact information.  I hate that. I do give guests an information sheet and let them take themselves on a self-guided tour. If a person asks a question, I will answer it. When I get started explaining things about any house, I can get long-winded. It's better when I shut up. But I do try to help. My aim is to find a buyer for my listing. Or maybe find a buyer for another house. I know a lot about Key West houses.

1413 Von Phister Street is brand new construction and was completed in 2019. This 1924 Sq Ft home is built to the State of Florida's highest building code standards and features Hardiboard siding, wind impact glass windows and doors throughout. Ten foot ceilings on first and second floors. Brazillian mahogany hardwood flooring. Front and rear double decker porches. Bright white kitchen cabinets with quartz counter-tops and stainless steel appliances including gas range. 20'X10' heated pool, and beautifully landscaped front and rear yards with lush tropical foliage. Offered at $1,499,000 by Gary Thomas, Preferred Properties Key West.  I think you'll flip over this house! CLICK HERE

OPEN HOUSE

12:00 to 2:00 PM

March 31st

1413 Von Phister Street, Key West

1500 Atlantic Boulevard Unit 415, Key West - Beach Club Condominiums Premiere Penthouse

Key West is a little island located at the tail end of America - the southernmost point in the continental United States. Since Key West is an island, you'd think a lot homes would be located on or have direct views of the ocean. The fact of the matter is that very few are - perhaps a dozen or so. The condominiums at the Key West Beach Club are the only condominiums where each unit has a direct ocean view. The views from Unit 415 are particularly unique as explained by the listing Realtor who says:
"On Top of the World, right on the Edge of the Sea! This penthouse end unit at the Key West Beach Club wins Pride of Place, with wraparound views of the Atlantic Ocean that are stunning ... no one above you, no structures anywhere blocking the long and gorgeous view down the shore. Two levels, vaulted ceilings, floor to ceiling impact windows along the full length of the 345 sq. ft. oceanfront balcony; this three bedroom, two bath condominium has been reconfigured to open up the living room, dining room and entertainment bar area, still leaving two bedrooms and a full bath downstairs, with a 500 sq. ft. loft bedroom and bath suite upstairs. Plus all of the amenities for which the Key West Beach Club is so well known."

I showed that top floor east end unit last week. My eyes were drawn to the ocean view as soon as I stepped inside.  Every other unit I have been inside is laid out with the living room and adjacent master bedroom facing the Atlantic Ocean and which share a large open terrace. All of the other penthouse units have glass panel doors with glass panel windows over the sliding panel doors.The owner of Unit 415 removed the wall separating the two rooms to create a stunning new living room that runs the breadth of the space. The owner then installed floor to ceiling impact glass doors that provide astounding views of the ever changing horizon. The view is magnetic. It is dynamic. It is one-of-a-kind that so far has not been duplicated. 

The Beach Club Condominiums were built around 1986. They quickly became and the remain the premiere waterfront community in Key West. Several of the original owners still own homes there today. There has historically been a low turnover of units. These units were second homes to wealthy owners and not treated as investments like no many other condominiums in town.

The Key West Beach Club is not a resort, but living there makes it seem like it is one. There are two heated ocean front swimming pools for those who don't like the icky feeling of salt water all over their skin and in their hair.There is, however, a private sandy beach plus oceanfront lounges to get a Key West tan. There are covered grilling and dining cabanas and restrooms by each poo. And there is private gym and private tennis court. There is gated entry and under building parking and storage plus abundant guest parking (unlike to of the places over at Truman Annex.)

This unit has 2012 square feet of living space which includes two bedrooms and one bath on the fourth floor and a third bedroom and bath on the fifth floor loft. The listing Realtor tells me only this and one other unit are as large and this is the only unit with unobstructed views to the east. There are two nature preserves to the east. These prevent any new residential or commercial development on those sites. The view you see today will remain - unobstructed.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West, 305-766-2642, to arrange a private showing. I am  a buyers agent and a full time Realtor. You must see this place and envision waking up to glorious sunrise and sunset views of living life in the premiere waterfront community Key West has to offer.

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It's DaBomb! Bank Owned Key West

Some of the other Key West agents got upset with me a few years ago and enacted a special Gary Thomas rule regarding writing in the public spaces about mls listings. I obey the rule. Others write blogs and post listings on internet and do not.  Regardless, there is a new listing that may interest buyers for a property in Old Town. Send me an email at garyethomas@aol.com. State your name, address, email address, and phone and ask for info on new bank owned property. I have interior photos when the home was occupied.  Or call me. Number above. I want to be your buyer agent on this great property. There is much excitement about it.

409 Grinnell St. Key West - Offered Furnished - Open House Today

I will be hosting an Open House Today at 409 Grinnell Street, Key West. You know the location - it is across the street from Old Town Bakery at the corner of Eaton and Grinnell Streets. 

 (Look closely - you'll see a pair a lady's shoes hanging from the telephone line stretched across the street.)

The house sits up the street just a bit adjacent to Elgin Lane. The historic house has a plaque at the front door stating it is on the National Registry of Historic Places and a Ceramic Star awarded for historic restoration in 2014.

First time guests and returning visitors stop as soon as they enter this house. They pause for a few seconds to take in the views. This isn't some old place with a new white kitchen with stainless steel appliances and Tony Lamonica furnishings (I made that name up). The reason this house was award the Ceramic Star was because the renovators preserved the genuine character of this old house that dates back to before 1889.

The current owners expanded upon the prior renovation and added the new heated salt water pool with waterfall. At night an LED light show reflects up to the coral stone wall and patio. There is a private shower tucked in the right rear corner. The front and rear grounds are irrigated and illuminated.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and see listing photos.

OPEN HOUSE

409 Grinnell Street

12:00 to 2:00 PM

Offered Fully Furnished except Art

$1,249,000

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1101 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Casa Marina District

1101 Flagler Avenue sits on a larger lot at the corner of Whalton Street at Flagler Avenue in the Casa Marina District of Key West. The Casa Marina Resort is located just three blocks to the west. The former home of R.J Reynolds (tobacco magnet and friend of Henry Flagler), is located opposite the resort. Judy Blume lived directly across the street at 1100 Flagler Avenue until a couple of years ago. Higg's Beach and a world of water fun is just four blocks south.

I dug into my old shoebox and found the above black and white photo taken 0f 1101 Flagler back in 1965. I took the color photo immediately below this morning. The arts and crafts style home sits on the lot today pretty much today the way it did fifty-four years ago.  There is a rear addition to the original house. The interior has been recently renovated. Today the house has 1687 sq ft of living space with two bedrooms and two baths.  The 4569 sq ft lot measures 45' X 101.5'.  The listing Realtor says there is room for a pool in the rear. 

 I live in the Casa Marina and love it for the location, size of lots, tall swaying palms, and laid back Key West lifestyle.  I can be in just about any part of town in five minutes or so (except when town is over-run by tourists. Then it can add on another ten minutes. But Key West is still a great place to be. And being near the beaches isn't all that bad.

  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 1101 Flagler Avenue. The please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West, the listing brokerage. Let me show you this property and others in the Casa Marina District. There are multiple million dollar plus homes throughout the area. This home is priced among the lowest.

1109 Windsor Lane, Key West - A New Kind of Wonderful

Just Listed, but not by me, 1109 Windsor Lane, Key West. The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Exquisite 5 bedroom 6 bathroom estate in Old Town Key West. 1109 Windsor Ln. was built in 2005 and designed by local architect Tom Pope to be reminiscent of the finest historical homes in Key West. Uniquely situated on a lush landscaped corner lot ideal for a large family estate, corporate retreat or small event property. An old world chef's kitchen with custom cabinetry, large open living room, formal dining room and french doors providing natural light. Stone floors downstairs with Brazilian Cherry staircase leading to the second and third floors. Travertine, Bisazza tile & Calacatta gold marble tastefully finish each bathroom. Signature Royal Palms, lush tropical landscaping, private pool, waterfall and oversized spa complete this estates appeal."

Compare the top color photo of the corner of Windsor Lane at Amelia Street to the photo below which shows the former Dowling Welding shop in the exact same location in 1980. I remember driving by this location during 2004 and watching the construction of this house together with slightly smaller two story classic Conch house next door at 1117 Royal Street. I must admit I was initially  underwhelmed by the location. I couldn't fathom the site of a former welding operation becoming a place worthy of note. I made the mistake frequent visitors to Key West do and could not envision something really wonderful to come of out something not so great. I was wrong. The properties were completed in 2005. 

The black and white aerial photo above taken in 1960 shows Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church, convent, and school, plus 1117 Royal Street, 1109 Windsor Lane (Dowling Welding), and 800 Amelia Street which later became The Medicine Garden. The second photo was taken in 1965 and shows 800 Amelia before the new house was built which became a part of The Medicine Garden. These collective photos show the evolving change that has occurred to the Key West landscape over the past sixty years and particularly in the past fifteen years.

Tom Pope's created a present perfect Classic Revival structure of temple design. The three story house has a dignified if not regal appearance framed by a white picket fence. The front of the house faces Windsor Lane has five bays. By recessing a portion of the south side, Pope created the appearance of a four bay house on the Amelia Street side. First and second floor wrap-around balconies frame this architectural gem. Petite French doors are used on the first and second floor south facing side. Transoms are located over the first floor doors.

The first thing you see when you enter the foyer is the graceful stairway and a door to a large first floor bedroom. Take a look at the bedroom and note the petite French doors with transoms, large crown molding, recessed light fixtures, and stone floor. What you can't see in the photos, but which you will appreciate in person, is the top quality paint job done by Nipper's Painting. (He's the best!) The entry hall leads to the great room, kitchen, and dining area at the rear.

Notice the transom theme is replicated in the upper cabinets in the kitchen. Also notice the intricate casements over the French doors and and windows. The crown molding wraps the entire space. The south facing windows and doors bathe the area during the daytime. Doors at the rear open out to the covered deck, pool, spa, and rear garden. The cut stone floors continue out to the deck and pool. There is a garage located on the Amelia Street side as well.

This 3,428 square foot house has five bedrooms and five and one-half baths (guest bath off main entry).  There are two guest bedrooms with en-suite baths on the second floor plus the master suite at the rear. The third floor has a large open bedroom plus en-suite. The home could become a fantastic monthly vacation rental. The home furnishings are negotiable.

Second floor front guest bedroom

 Second floor rear guest bedroom

The master suite is quite large - in fact very large

The third floor bedroom also has an en-suite

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and lots of listing photos of 1109 Windsor Lane, Key West offered for sale at $2,850,000.  The furnishings are negotiable. 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. This neighborhood has evolved and include many restored homes and some new ones. It's close to Duval Street, a stone's throw from Saint Mary Star of the Sea Basilica, and within walking distance to so many places that draws guests to Key West year after year. I think you will agree this home is a new kind of wonderful.

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