1517 Washington Street - Key West - Dreams Fulfilled

1517 Washington Street - June 2011

1517 Washington Street - June 2011

February 2012 the look is just a bit different

Some Readers may remember when I wrote about 1517 Washington Street in May 2011 when Preferred Properties listed it for sale at the asking price of $425.000. I wrote:

"The house was built in 1963 so it has the architecture of that era. The slanted roof and jalousie windows give this house a distinguished look. Some may not like it, but others will embrace it. Much of the architecture in the Mid Town and New Town areas of Key West have similar features. Some buyers do blow-outs or tear downs and reconfigure and expand the living space. Others prefer to conserve money and fix that which is broken and update that which needs it. When money is tight, some new owners prefer to keep things simple and do low cost improvements rather than big renovation projects. This house could go either way in my opinion. This house has been perfectly maintained and will be just fine if left as is. Serious! It is old Florida."

The property was purchased by Kent Ducote and Guillermo Orozco. Kent is a Realtor that works at a Doug Mayberry Realty. Guillermo Orozco is an architect whose name and designs I have referred to several times in my little blog. They just completed their renovation of 1517 Washington Street and I was invited to see the results.

I had not been past the house in the months since it was sold. As I drove near I immediately saw a large fence in front and recognized Guillerm0's sleek minimalist style.

The new owners removed the old jalousie windows, revamped the kitchen, and added a new bath on the east side of the house. They kept most of the interiors the way they were, but they are still different. The Cuban tile floors and the stained wood ceiling remain the two focal points of this mid century home. The interiors were painted white so the interior will not confuse the observer with too many diversions from the simplicity of the design. Less really is more. Take a look at some before and after shots of the same living areas and see if you do not agree that for these new homeowners, theirs is a dream fulfilled.

Former living room. Note the door to left of the clam shell table. That door is now the main entry into the home.

The new living room pays homage to the old Cuban tiles

Former semi-enclosed front porch

Contemporary home office anyone would admire

This kitchen had been updated from original but...

...It lacked the finesse the new owners desired.

The wall separating the living room from the kitchen and dining area was shortened and new cabinets and counters were installed. The Cuban tiled floors gracefully blend the two living areas together.

Original master bedroom

Same space, different look, new bath added to the left

Stunning new addition added so much utility and grace to this dream home.

Former second bedroom ...

...is now a functional office

The old carport...

...is now the inviting entry into this lovely home.

This project was much more than just replacing windows, painting walls, installing a new kitchen, adding a new bathroom, and erecting a privacy fence. Each individual element was part of a harmonious plan that used the existing building and its design elements as the basis upon which the replacements and additions would play upon. The result is a simple and harmonious blend of old with new. Not everybody can pull this off. That's why regular folks hire architects and designers if they want to get things done correctly. This blog is not a plug for Guillermo, but you must respect his and Kent's vision. Proof is in the pictures. CLICK HERE to see more photos.

If you are looking for a Key West house that you could turn into your dream home, please CLICK HERE to search the Key West Association of Realtors mls database. If you see something you like, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

1517 Washington - east Casa Marina Area - Key West

I wrote about 1517 Washington Street a couple of months back when it was a fresh new listing. It went under contract soon thereafter. The would-be buyer isn't gonna-be. So the property is now back on the market and available once again at the affordable asking price of $425,000. I've shown this property several times since I wrote the initial post. I am now more convinced that this is a super bargain for a buyer looking for a entry level house into a very nice area of Key West. Please read on.

The listing broker describes the property this way:

"This darling two bedroom home is sure to please! It's located on a pretty street within blocks from the beach and old town. A cheerful sun porch entry leads into the main living area. The kitchen opens to an inviting screened porch where one can enjoy the view of the tropical vegetation including fruit trees. The property has beautiful original cuban tile floors and plenty of room for a pool and expansion. Easy to see!"

Living room with original Cuban tile that is in near mint condition

Vintage Florida Room is just a gas!

The basics: 952 sq ft of living space under roof plus a large covered and screen rear patio. The lot is 4698 sq ft ( 50.25'x93.5') with lots of room in front, on both sides and a very large rear area with plenty of room for a pool. Click GOOGLE MAP to view an aerial perspective and then zoom closer for a better view of the area. Use the toggle switch for a street view. Most of the other homes in this area have been enlarged or razed and new homes built. One could do that here, but the house is just fine as it sits. The home was perfectly maintained for decades and I saw no noticeable deferred maintenance.

The house was built in 1963 so it has the architecture of that era. The slanted roof and jalousie windows give this house a distinguished look. Some may not like it, but others will embrace it. Much of the architecture in the Mid Town and New Town areas of Key West have similar features. Some buyers do blow-outs or tear downs and reconfigure and expand the living space. Others prefer to conserve money and fix that which is broken and update that which needs it. When money is tight, some new owners prefer to keep things simple and do low cost improvements rather than big renovation projects. This house could go either way in my opinion. This house has been perfectly maintained and will be just fine if left as is. Serious! It is old Florida. I can imagine how chic this place could look if filled with 50's and 60's vintage furniture. The kitchen, however, has been updated.


CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of the property. And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database for this home. Spend some time looking and I think you will see the value in this house you could easily move in tomorrow.

This house is within a few minute bike ride to Rest Beach and Higg's Beach to the south. Fausto's Food Palace is a couple of blocks to the north. The Island Gym is nearby as are many small eateries and coffee shops. Old Town is a fifteen minute bike ride or less. The airport is about five minutes by car. The three Key West shopping centers are also five to seven minutes on a normal day. And the Key West Dairy Queen is only a few minute walk on a hot summer night.

Higg's Beach as viewed from Salute on the Beach

Rest Beach as depicted in a vintage "Old Florida" post card

Fausto's Food Palace

More locals go here than the bars on Duval Street

If you are interested in buying this house or any other house in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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Just Listed -1517 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

1517 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed this cute two bedroom house in the east Casa Marina Area of Key West for the asking price of only $425,000. At a price this low, don't expect this little bargain to be around for very long. The listing broker describes the house this way:

"This darling two bedroom home is sure to please! It's located on a pretty street within blocks from the beach and old town. A cheerful sun porch entry leads into the main living area. The kitchen opens to an inviting screened porch where one can enjoy the view of the tropical vegetation including fruit trees. The property has plenty of room for a pool and expansion. Easy to see!"

The house was built in 1963 so it has the architecture of that era. The slanted roof and jalousie windows give this house a distinguished look. Some may not like it, but others will embrace it. Much of the architecture in the Mid Town and New Town areas of Key West have similar features. Some buyers do blow-outs or tear downs and reconfigure and expand the living space. Others prefer to conserve money and fix that which is broken and update that which needs it. When money is tight, some new owners prefer to keep things simple and do low cost improvements rather than big renovation projects. This house could go either way in my opinion. This house has been perfectly maintained and will be just fine if left as is. Serious! It is old Florida.

1517 Washington Street is just 990 sq ft and sits on a large lot (4698 sq ft - 50.25' [width] x 93.5' [depth]). That leaves plenty of room for expansion of the house or the addition of a pool. This is one of the last remaining undone houses in the area. By that I mean most of the other properties have been renovated to some extent or rebuilt . And since many have been rebuilt that leaves "upside" protection for the potential buyer that may want to tear down the existing structure and build all new.

Many of the homes in this area have the familiar Casa Marina privacy fences. While the fences vary from house to house, most of these fences comply with the six foot height limit. Some have adorable gated entrances while others are more simple. Many of the front yards are densely landscaped while others are less so. These fences provide a privacy from the street and that allows the owners freedom to keep their windows opened to view the front and rear yards without concern about prying eyes.

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database and to view listing photos of the house. At the asking price of $425,000 don't wait too long. If you snooze on this house, you will lose it. This is a buying opportunity for someone that is ready to act now.

This house is within a few minute bike ride to Rest Beach and Higg's Beach to the south. Fausto's Food Palace is a couple of blocks to the north. The Island Gym is nearby as are many small eateries and coffee shops. Old Town is a fifteen minute bike ride or less. The airport is about five minutes by car. The three Key West shopping centers are also five to seven minutes on a normal day. And the Key West Dairy Queen is only a few minute walk on a hot summer night.

Higg's Beach as viewed from Salute on the Beach

Rest Beach as depicted in a vintage "Old Florida" post card

Fausto's Food Palace

More locals go here than the bars on Duval Street

If you are interested in buying this house or any other house in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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