I have a customer who is actually "renovating" a house a hundred feet or so to the east of 725 Poorhouse Lane shown above. I often park my car in the neighborhood parking area across the street. I have walked or driven past this house dozens and dozens of time. I thought it probably dated back to the 1890s. I attended an open house yesterday afternoon when the listing Realtor told me it was newly constructed in 1997. I went to my old shoebox and found two photos which explain what happened. The first photo shows the house that originally sat on the lot followed by another photo of it and the house next door destroyed by fire in 1992.
The Monroe County Property Appraiser records show the original house was demolished in 1996 and a new house built in its place in 1997. Jay Fairbanks was the general contractor. He has built some of the best homes in Key West.
The listing Realtor describes the house this way:
"Substantial price reduction on replica of an Historic Old Town home. Built in 1996 and a Gold Star Recipient of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation Award for Excellence in New Construction, this 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bathroom home is being offered for sale from the original owner. Some of the features are Shutter Hung windows, hardwood floors throughout, Hardi board siding, off street parking, separate utility shed with power and water, large covered porches front and rear, custom kitchen cabinets, freshly painted inside and out, spacious closets in both bedrooms, drop down attic stairs, central AC, irrigation for plants, fully fenced, brick paver patios and room for a pool. Great as vacation rental or primary residence. Walk anywhere in Old Town from here."Like most first time guests to a house in Key West, my eyes and then my feet were drawn to the covered rear porch and rear garden. The irregularly shaped 3,000 sq ft lot is large enough to add a small pool if one wanted one. Not every owner wants a pool. Having the space gives a new owner th opportunity to do whatever he or she or they, them, etc. want.
All of the louver-style windows are/were new as construction. They were used in several large homes in Old Town, Truman Annex, and The Meadows in the 1980s and 1990s. A simple twist of the know opens and shuts the louvers. There is screen as well. I was immediately drawn to take a closer look and was sold on the views. They are keepers. The front bedroom looks across Poorhouse lane as it wraps up toward Olivia Street. You can also look out to Bill Butler Park. The rear bedroom also looks out to the park and also to the backside of a major home on Upper William Street. There are two major homes on that street and that is all I will say about that! You gotta see the views!
There are potential buyers who would see the falling down cottage across the street and down a piece as revolting. I beg to differ. I know someday it will be renovated and made all new and fancy. Until then I revel is its glory. There are so few of these original houses left. That's part of the joy of living on Poorhouse Lane. You can walk your dog down the lane to do its duty or let you kids or grandkids play in the park next door. All the stuff on Duval and the Seaport is within easy walking distance. And yet is so far away as it is like it doesn't matter at all.
The park is under renovation. Hurry up City of Key West. Kids need this finished.
From August 2018 Progress Takes Time |
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