1311 Catherine Street - Just Listed - Adorable Renovation

Just Listed, but not by me, 1311 Catherine Street, Key West. Long time readers of my little blog may recall seeing the same house featured here four years ago when it was a bank owned property. I took the photo below in 2014 to show the "potential" about which I wrote. That potential was achieved to a greater extent than I could have imagined.

 The listing Realtor describes 1311 Catherine Street this way:

"This ideal conch cottage is perfectly located to enjoy everything Key West has to offer. On the edge of Old Town, this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath is sure to impress! The main house was completely renovated with attention to detail that blends modern convenience with historic character. With vaulted ceilings, the open and bright living room and kitchen flow effortlessly onto the covered deck; perfect for indoor/outdoor living, dining and entertaining. Central AC, new metal roof, stainless steel appliances, quartzite counter tops, on demand propane water heater, and gas range are among all the many updates that round out the property. The vaulted master suite has french doors that open onto the covered veranda and en suite bath with walk-in closet. Connected by a breezeway, the second bedroom."

The original cottage shown immediately above was quite small. Previous owners made two separate additions including a bedroom on the right side and a stand alone cottage at the rear which is now bedroom number two. Every part of the original house and the attached bedroom addition were totally renovated including new piers, floors, and roof. The house was but a shell when purchased. During the renovation the walls were insulated, new historically correct windows were added to the front of the house and wind impact resistant glass windows and doors were added everywhere else.

The original house is now the "great room".  The vaulted ceiling carries through to the rear door which leads through the breezeway to the rear cottage. The laundry and a full bath are located at the rear side of the kitchen. All of the interiors are new including the wood floors, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and so forth. The so forth includes down lights in the main house. The structural renovations  were done by a licensed general contractor. Various design features such as the facing of the kitchen island with Dade County Pine salvaged during the renovation were added by the owner. 

A new master bedroom en-suite was added. The owners designed and built a poured concrete sink on a vanity base they purchased. Various tones of gray tiles are used the various bathrooms.

The master bedroom on the right was increased in size and the ceiling vaulted just a bit to give the area a more spacious feel. Glass panel doors were added to the bedroom and off the dining area. The new partially covered rear deck (breezeway) immensely increased the living area of the house and provides a covered transition to the second bedroom located in the rear cottage. Key Westers spend a lot of time living outdoors during the daytime and night time all year long. This area will be used constantly.  CLICK HERE to see more photos.

The rear cottage was updated a bit but not renovated. It has a half bath. The new full bath located to the rear of the kitchen includes a new porcelain tub and vanity which also incorporates wood salvaged during the renovation.

The west side yard includes a storage shed and the air conditioner unit. That space is fairly large and probably provides lot ratio coverage to permit the inclusion of a pool on the east side of the house were the flagstone patio new exists.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1311 Catherine Street which is offered for sale at $879,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing of this adorable home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1311 Catherine Street - Key West, Florida

1311 Catherine Street in Key West is a new listing that may appeal to buyers who are looking for an affordable house they can expand to create their little dream cottage. The listing Realtor, not me, describes the property thus:

"Location! Location! Location! Very nice address on Catherine Street. This Conch Cottage is quintessential Key West and ready for an easy, clean renovation. It has one bedroom as part of the home and an additional bedroom/guest quarters with a half bath connected by a short breezeway.A large concrete deck with a vine covered trellis on the East side is accessible from bedroom and side and rear doors. There is a nice landscaped yard on the side and rear, you will be pleasantly surprised with the outside area. A private outdoor shower is handy.Storage loft. Easy to see."

I found a black and white photo taken of this property in 1965.  Compare that photo to the photo underneath. You will see where the bedroom addition was added onto the house. There is an elevated concrete deck off the bedroom with an overhead trellis. Just beyond the trellis is the backyard which is surprisingly large. The Monroe County Property Appraiser records show the house and rear cottage as being 855 sq ft. The lot is 40' X 92" or 3670 sq ft.  I think there is room to expand the main house and enlarge the rear cottage and still have sufficient land left over to construct a swimming pool and gardens. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took minutes before a heavy rainstorm.

Little houses on big lots like this give me goose bumps, not from being scary, but for having so much potential.  This house is a simple conch cottage with a vaulted ceiling in the living area, a rudimentary kitchen, a bedroom on the side, and a bath at the rear. There is a covered breezeway at the rear that leads to a rear second cottage where there is a second bedroom and a half bath. A creative buyer can do so much with this space compared to other places with much smaller lots. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. This home is offered at $450,000.

If you would like to see 1311 Catherine Street, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.