That past two weeks in Key West have been pretty amazing. Town is like it was twenty years ago. There is a noticeable, no a remarkable, decrease in the amount of tourists. Parking is easy. Traffic is a breeze. I don't have to watch for numbskull bike riders who think they are pedaling on a pretend street in Disneyland. It's also hotter and more humid than I ever remember. I think it may have something to do with the solar eclipse from last week. The day of the eclipse the little frogs that live out by my pool shut up all night long. The palm trees that usually go "wsssshhhhh" were equally calm and barely moved. It really was eerie. Last Friday and Saturday the air was hollow and the skies were gray - especially off to the west and northwest - toward Texas.
I wrote about 1215 Truman Avenue in early April. I am genuinely surprised that it has not sold. But it hasn't and the price has just been reduced from $1,049,000 to $995,000.
Locals refer to this style of house as a Conch House. It is large
impressive house with the strong architectural lines identified
elsewhere as a Classical Revival. In his book
The Houses of Key West
Alex Cammerer described Conch Houses as "...a simple rectangular block
of more than one story. It has a low-pitched roof; the main entrance is
on the gabled end. The attic story extends beyond the vertical plane of
the vertical stories, forming a portico. Formal columns ...are an
integral part of the portico structure."
I
searched for historic photos of the house and found the old black and
white postcard below dated 1929. I added an arrow to identify what I
believe to be 1215 Division Street (which is now known as 1215 Truman
Avenue). The house is located opposite Bayview Park to the left. The
perpendicular street still exists today. The large two story house
located across Division Street at the corner of Georgia Street and the
adjacent cottage no longer exist. Other homes that may have existed in
that area were replaced by what became the Division St Grammar School
which later became the Monroe County Office Building. Locals and
returning tourists will quickly notice that Division Street (or Truman
Avenue) abruptly ended at the Garrison Bight. In later years US 1 was
built around the barren ground to the east and tied into Division
Street. As years became decades many of these once grand old houses
became apartments, guest houses, while others were converted into
commercial uses. A few stately single family homes remain.
The listing Realtor describes 1215 Truman Avenue as an...
"Historic
Conch house on great corner in the Meadows. Classic lines and built
prior to to 1912, it has lots of Dade County pine throughout &
is perfect for a home & home office with close proximity to
White St, the “Local’s Duval St”. Relaxing pool area with a wonderfully
spacious lanai surround it. Large front and side porches enhance the
charm of the home. 3 or 4 bedrooms, second floor balcony, tall
ceilings, huge attic space and a rare carport & off street
parking off Georgia Street make this a very special one. Its ready and
ripe for renovation to create your dream home."
I
found the above black and white photo of this same house taken in
1965. Notice that the three bays and porch railing appear a bit
different in 2017. The MLS datasheet shows the property as being 2120
square feet with air conditioned living space. Today the main level has
approximately 1246 square feet of living space and 874 square feet on
the second floor. Both floors have access to the front porches which
each measure 6' X 23'.
1215
Truman Avenue is shown as a contributing structure on the Key West
Historic Survey. In more recent years a part of this home was used
converted to some commercial use. The Monroe County Property Appraiser
notes in its property identification card that "1215 TRUMAN AVE NO
LONGER USED AS REAL ESTATE OFFICE" The same property records show a
pool was added to the property in 1997. There is a nice partially
covered deck area on the west side of the house. Part of the house has
been used as a residence and part was used for business purposes. I
think what was a window in middle bay of the first floor was converted
into an entry door. I believe the entry is on the left because opened
into the stairway to the second.. The front and side yards are now
fenced. Additionally, there is covered off street parking at the rear.
This house is perfectly livable as it sits, but it could be a grand
renovation project for the buyer who wants a big historic home. The
front of the house is minimally landscaped. There is ample room for
more plantings.
So many of the grand conch houses in Old Town have already been gobbled up and restored. Few are left. This home is a rare exception. Were it located in the heart of Old Town, it would have already sold. It is not. That is why the price has been reduced. This house is worth much more than it is priced. It really, truly is. Don't let the Truman Avenue location scare you away. This is worth both seeing and buying. Take advantage of the fact that other buyers are away. They will return in a couple of months and someone will grab this one. But not if you act first.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. 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.
