Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing,
410 Catherine Street in
Key West Florida. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:
"Half
a block from upper Duval Street this three bedroom, two and a half bath
home is within walking distance of all the restaurants and attractions
of Key West. This charming historic home has been completely restored
and offers every modern amenity such as a gourmet kitchen, modern baths,
a wide covered porch overlooking the pool and electronic gated
parking."
When
I looked at the house from the street I had no idea that it was an
historic home. It doesn't look all that old. In fact it looks pretty
crisp and modern. I am not suggesting the recent renovation took away
the charm, it simply spiffed the place up with aplomb. The house is
located one-half block west of Duval Street in an area once known for
the cigar maker cottages where factory workers lived. I reviewed the
Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to determine the approximate age of this
house and was surprised to see that it appeared on the 1889 map when it
was then identified as 235 Catherine Street. The house identifier was
changed to 410 Catherine on the 1892 map. True to form the Villamil Pino
and Co cigar factory was located at the corner of Duval and Catherine
Street. A small lane identified as Doe Alley separated the factory from
the nearby cottages. That lane curved behind the cigar maker cottages
and ended at Whitehead Street. The portion of Doe Alley that ran
parallel to Duval Street became Riehl Court on the 1912 Sanborn Map, and
the rear alley was then identified as Louisa. Today what was Doe Alley
(Riehl Ct is known as Thompson Lane. However, GOOGLE MAP shows it as
Thomas St. GOOGLE MAP is incorrect!)
 |
| 410 Catherine Street, Key West - 1965 |
 |
| 408 Catherine Street razed in 1968 |
Our history lesson is almost
over. I looked into my old shoebox and found the above black and white
photo taken in 1965 which shows 410 Catherine Street as it then
appeared. I found a photo of the former next door house at 408 Catherine
Street which was damaged by fire and finally razed in 1968. In 1969 a
then new CBS (concrete block structure) replaced the old house at 408
Catherine St. That house still exists today on a block where most of the
homes are updated versions of the historic cottages which like 410
Catherine Street date back to the late part of the 19th Century.
Today's
house is much different than the original version of this house - that's pretty much a truism
for most of the old homes in Key West. The front porch is now a small
veranda off the front bedroom. The main entry was relocated to the east
side of the home pictured immediately above. The interiors are all refined. The kitchen is a chef's delight. Exterior changes can be seen in the black and white photo
of 410 Catherine St which show a sapling Royal Poinciana tree once stood where
today at the driveway an electronically operated gate exists.
You
enter into the comfortable living area. There is plenty of Dade County
Pine to lend an historic feel to the living space. Modern French doors
and new windows bathe the interiors with abundant ambient light during
the daytime. The kitchen and dining area are located to the left where
there are views of the pool and guest cottage. This property has been rented as a monthly vacation rental. The location one-half block from Duval Street makes this an ideal vacation rental location. The house and all the amenities will seal the deal.
There
is a pool house complete with bath adjacent to the pool which runs much of the rear width of
the of the property. There is a small waterfall at the far end of the pool. Native
coral rock and tropical foliage and palm trees set the backdrop for the pool. The balcony complete with hammock provide outdoor
entertaining area protected from the sun and those occasional days when
we have rain. This is a very pleasant and spacious area to spend idle
hours doing not much of anything.
The
large master suite is located behind the Dade County Pine wall in the
living room. French doors open out to rear covered porch and pool for a
late night swim. The ceiling is vaulted giving this bedroom area a more
spacious feel.
The
front bedroom is an equally restive spot. Bahama shutters provide muted
daylight to enter the bedroom area as well as to provide privacy. What
was the original front door is now a door to the front porch which has
no entry from the yard - the Fuller Brush Man won't accidentally enter
the bedroom. The porch will give the occupant a nice private outdoor
space to read a book or to contemplate the meaning of life.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 410 Catherine Street, Key West. Then
please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a personal view
of this new listing which is offered at $1,485,000. I am a buyers agent
and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.
