824 Shavers Lane - Key West

A little over two years ago the little house on the big lot (50' x110' or 5500 sq ft) at 824 Shavers Lane was offered for sale at $735,000. It did not sell. The price was recently reduced to $297,500 which is still $488 per sq ft, but now the price may make the property worth a look-see.

The listing agent describes this property this way:

"An opportunity! Total renovation/demo. Rarely can you build your dream home on a small quiet lane steps off Duval.What a location..steps away from the Hemingway House and the Lighthouse Only five short blocks to the Southernmost Point!Recent appraisal and priced accordingly."

Click the MAP to locate 824 Shavers Lane. You probably have walked near or biked or drove by but never even knew the lane, let alone the house, ever existed. It is a one block long lane that is sandwiched between Duval Street to the east and Whitehead to the west. Olivia Street (the Hemingway House is at the corner of Olivia and Whitehead) provides entry to Shavers Lane from the south and Petronia Street (Bourbon Street Pub near the corner of Duval and Petronia) is at the north. Shavers Lane is narrow and few people go there without a reason. So if you are looking for a secret hideaway, Shavers Lane may be worth considering.

The listing agent suggests the property may be demolished. Renovations normally cost more than new construction so it might make good economic sense to remove the existing structure and build all new. I'm not a builder and I can't and will not cite construction costs. But I do believe it would be economically feasible to buy this property and construct a very nice new home with off street parking for two cars and put in a real pool for less than it would cost to purchase a three bedroom home with a pool and parking on one of the tonier streets in Old Town. (I'm not talking about a million dollar house either.)

CLICK HERE to review the mls listing info. The existing house sits rather close to the street. The lot is very deep and quite wide. I think a new home that sits further back would make better sense than trying to use the existing house and current configuration. Of course using the existing house makes it easy for the new owner not to use current building code setbacks. It may make sense to utilize the existing structure in some portion of the overall design of the revamped property.

I found an old photo of 824 Shavers Lane (old as in 1965 and shown above in black & white). The house looks pretty much the same today. The depth of the lot and the absence of any protected trees that would prohibit building give this property great development potential.

South Beach is a five minute walk (if you can avoid slow moving tourists). La Te Da, the Bourbon Street Pub, the 801 Bar, and The Monkey Bar are all within a five minute walk. Camille's, Santiago's Bodega, and Antonia's Restaurant are also located within five minutes of the front door. CVS Pharmacy and Bobby Shop (that's where I get my hair cut) are within a five minute walk as well. You can ride your bike at Ft Zach Taylor in about seven minutes.

If this property looks like something that may interest you, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or contact me by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in sunny Key West, Florida. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

808 Shavers Lane - Old Town - Key West

808 Shavers Lane is another one of those "just listed" posts I having been writing of late. The potential sellers are getting geared for selling season and that starts in earnest the day after Christmas. This is how the listing Realtor describes this home that was built (not renovated) in 1999:

"Shavers Lane is about as central to the Duval corridor as a property can be. The lane runs one block and separates the Bourbon Street Complexes and Hemingway's Home/Key West Lighthouse. The property is a newer home for Oldtown and features the classic three bay Conch revival look. Originally a three bedroom home, the owner has removed a wall between guest rooms for a second master suite and will replace the wall for a Buyer if necessary. There are two off street parking spaces with a brick drive, an elevated deck and pool are in the back for smooth flow from the home, and the home has covered porches up and down both in the front and the back. The home was upgraded from the sister homes on each side with tall ceilings."

CLICK HERE to read the details on this house. As of writing this there are not any interior photos so I borrowed a couple of older photos that show the house when it was previously listed. Those photos may or may not depict the house as it looks today. PHOTO #1 shows the living room and kitchen and PHOTO #2 shows the pool. 808 Shavers lane is offered at $749,000 or $535 per sq ft for a 1400 sq ft two story home in Old Town with a pool and bricked off-street parking.

Shavers Lane is one of those locations you forget about. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. There is absolutely no reason for any Conch Train to try to go down the lane because it couldn't make the turn and the train is about as long as the lane. Besides nothing of importance ever happened there. Tourists won't be riding down the lane beeping their damned horns because the lane doesn't go anywhere they want to go. Just below is a photo of the house across the street. This lane has got some very attractive houses.


It is an easy one minute walk to Bourbon Street Pub or the 801 Bar. (Have you ever wondered why so many drag queens are seven feet tall?) Blue Heaven is a 60 second walk and Santiago's Bodega is a 90 second walk. South Beach can be reached in about five minutes and Ft Zachary Taylor Beach is a ten minute walk or five minute bike ride. The location is close to a lot of places residents and tourists love about Key West. You will hear some noise from the Bourbon Street Complex on occasion. If you are gay that noise could be viewed as revelry to get on down to the pub. To others, it could be a distraction.

I think this property will appeal to someone who wants to be near the action on Duval Street and who likes the nightlife Old Town has to offer. If you are that buyer, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to arrange a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty Inc. in Key West, Florida.