The newly built and newly listed home at 811 White Street in Key West is quite the contrast to the little Cigar Maker Cottages and Grand Conch Houses that populate the streets of Key West. This house will grab your attention if you happen to be driving down the street in a car or riding your bike. It says "Look at Me!". It is much larger than the other nearby properties. It dominates the neighbors in size and boldness of design. It is in stark contrast to the much smaller bungalow that sat on this lot for five decades or more. See the photos below starting with a photo from 1965 followed by mls listing photos from 2000 and 2005.
Three photos immediately above illustrate that the bungalow house that sat on this prominent lot was not historically significant which, I guess, is why the city permitted the original house razed. But the bungalow shown was not the first building built on that lot. I looked at the 1892 Sanborn Fire Map for Key West and learned that the original address for this corner lot was
801 White Street. 801 White was the largest of six houses in the 800 block of White.
I found the above photograph that shows the 800 block of White Street as photographed circa 1900. I added graphics that show the large Army barracks at the corner of Newton at White. I also added an arrow to show 801 or 811 White (whichever numerical address the house may have had when the photo was taken). The 900 block of White Street still has cigar maker cottages. The above photo suggests that the 800 block of White had similar cottages. None exist today. Instead, the 800 bloc, save and except 811 White Street, are all most bungalows.
811 White Street was newly constructed (finished) in 2014. The two story house has 2300 sq ft of living space and sits on a 4179 sq ft lot. The house looks as if it borrowed some of the elements of design seen in many old Conch houses, but it is definitely of the 21st century as opposed to the 19th century. The house is wood frame construction with Hardiboard siding. All windows and doors are wind impact resistant. Modern construction materials and techniques will significantly reduce wind and casualty insurance costs.
The two story front porch looks directly out to White Street. White Street is a feeder street in the daytime. After 6:00 PM traffic really dies down. When you are inside the house you do not hear any traffic because of the impact glass and insulated walls. If you sit on the porch, you will hear noise. This may deter some buyers but I think there will be buyers who would love to watch the human parade go by. The views from the front and back porches are terrific.
After you pass the formal entry and head toward the great room at the rear you see this huge open space there is supposed to be a wall. But there is no wall. Doors have magically disappeared into the the side of the house. The combined living, dining, and kitchen areas all see to flow out to the rear deck and pool area.
The pool area is really attractive. Newly planted trees and shrubs will soon fill in and provide lots of privacy - don't you fret. The Trex deck will last for years. It is a man made material that will resist our harsh climate. Notice the stepped deck down to the pool is repeated by steps into the pool itself.
There is one bedroom with en suite bath on the first floor, two guest bedrooms on the second floor, and the master bedroom with en suite as well. Each second floor bedroom has a vaulted ceiling. The master suite has dual French doors that open out to a private deck that overlooks the pool below. The view of the neighborhood is quite amazing. Both guest bedrooms on the front share the second floor porch.
CLICK HERE to view more photos that I took of this property.
I think 811 White Street would make a really great second home for someone that wants to rent it as a vacation rental. It has off street parking, a convenient location within walking distance to Duval and near the gyms and yoga studios in the White Street area. But it is the four large bedrooms, the large and inviting living area, and that incredible sunny pool that will make this place popular. This place has room for people to actually live a little - to kick back and relax.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for more information. Then please call me,
Gary Thomas,
305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.
