812 Windsor Lane - Sitting Pretty in Old Town Key West

The simple home at 812 Windsor Lane in Key West did not always look so neat and proper.  I remember driving past that house several years ago on repeated occasions when someone would ask "How much is that house"?  I would always respond "It's not for sale" to which they would reply something like "We'll I want to buy it when it is for sale." The house looked pretty rundown back then. The front yard was over-grown. The place looked like it had been abandoned. But then in 2008 the family who had owned this house since it was first built undertook the renovation of the original house and construction of a rear cottage and pool.

812 Windsor Lane, Key West - 1965

 Today the property is available for the very first time to the buying public at the reduced asking price of $1,450,000.  The listing Realtor describes the property thus:

"Historic Treasure in the heart of Old Town. First time on the market! Fully renovated in 2008, this historic home has been in the same family since the 1800s. 2BD/2BA main house has a beautiful mix of original Dade County and heart pine walls and floors in the bedrooms. Updates include vaulted ceilings and a modern kitchen with granite counter-tops and stainless appliances. A 2BD/2BA guest house is connected via a Caribbean style covered walkway. Both homes are lined with French doors that open onto a spacious deck overlooking the tropical gardens, bricked courtyard, and private waterfall swimming pool. Fully fenced with a locking gate, the property has off street parking for 2 cars. This is Key West tropical living as it was meant to be!" 

The front porch is just for show these days. The formal entry to the main house is located just beyond the fence at the end of the driveway.  You enter into the great room in the new rear addition to the historic house.  The living area is at the back of this house.  It has French doors that open out to the covered rear deck and which overlook the pool with waterfall.  The two front rooms are used as bedrooms. Both bedrooms have large bathrooms. The master bedroom has access to the old front porch which as a view of the Key West cemetery across the street. The Royal Poinciana Tree in the front yard will be full of a million red flowers come May.  The site will be glorious!

The guest cottage at the rear has two very large bedrooms and baths. Both bedrooms have vaulted ceilings and ample closets. Each room has a loft inside for the grand kids to play or sleep.  A covered breezeway connects the guest cottage to the main house. 

The two houses have a combined living space of 1892 sq ft under air conditioning. This does not include any of the covered or non-covered deck areas or interior lofts. The lot is 5880 sq ft lot which  is fairly large for the Old Town area. There is bricked off street parking for 2 cars.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet.

The house needs a fresh coat of paint and some minor repairs which will make it all pretty again. I think a bit of fairy dust would do a heck of a lot of good myself. If I bought this home I might splurge and retile the baths and replace the dark granite counter tops with quartz or some more contemporary hard surface. The color schemes are okay but I think a new owner could pick colors that are less Caribbean and more chic. The pool, rear decks, and grounds need some new plantings which would make the spaces more welcoming.  None of the things I have suggested are expensive.  I believe they would make this property show so much better.

This home has a successful rental history as a vacation rental.  The property is located just a few short blocks to Duval Street. The historic Key West seaport is located six blocks to the north. Most of the gyms and yoga studios are within an easy walk as well. Repeat long term vacation renters love being within walking distance to the gym or yoga studio. They follow patterns of going to their favorite haunts that are within easy walking distance. This location is central to just about everything.

CLICK HERE to view more photos I took.  After you've viewed the photos and the mls datasheet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a showing of this Key West home with lots of potential.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

311 Elizabeth Street - Key West - Transient Licensed Grand Conch House

 311 Elizabeth Street, Key West is back on the market. This historic old Grand Conch home is located at the foot of the Historic Key West Seaport and just two blocks from Duval Street. It has a very valuable Transient Rental License, a great pool, and off street parking.  The listing Realtor describes this property as:

"This is a grand historic home with double porches on a great block of Elizabeth Street in the heart of old town. The property has a spacious owner's apartment plus two transient guest house units, one in a separate poolside cottage. The classic architecture features Dade County pine, high ceilings and expansive rooms. The large owner's apartment is in the main house. The pool is surrounded by lush tropical foliage and decking. The entire property is fenced for privacy. The property includes a coveted off street parking space. The A+ location is close to the Land's End area shopping & marinas and Duval Street. Some TLC will make this jewel shine!"

 

I dug down into the old shoebox and found the black and white photo two above that was taken nearly fifty years ago.   The photo immediately above is very recent. Shutters, flags, and tropical vegetation give the old girl a bit more flair compared to the spartan 1965 photo.  I checked the Sanborn Fire Maps and  found that 311 Elizabeth Street first noted on the 1899 map.  When I recently stepped inside the house to take photos, I could tell this was indeed an old house. Although most of the downstairs was updated in the past twenty years, the dark Dade County Pine walls in the main floor living room and ceilings were a dead giveaway that this was a very old house indeed.

The property has three living spaces that are recognized by the City of Key West. They include (1) the main floor owners' unit, (2) second floor apartment with associated guest house licensed room, and (3) a guest cottage also with a guest house licensed room. There is an attached guest suite extension from the main floor owners unit that includes a living room, Pullman kitchen, bath, and bedroom. (That is actually four living spaces if you do the math!)

The detached guest cottage is as large as many of the smaller homes and condos in the Old Town area.  The great room has a tall vaulted ceiling with skylight and a bright and cheery kitchen. A steep stairway leads to a large second level sleeping loft which is large enough to accommodate two queen size beds.

The guest suite attached to the rear of the owners' main level living area is quite large. It includes a Pullman kitchen (photo two above), a living room, bath, and good sized bedroom. The long rectangular pool is on the south side of the property and has good morning and afternoon sun. The deck envelops the pool and then wraps the ground level addition to the rear of the main house where there is a more intimate private area.

I think this property could make a great renovation property for a buyer who wants a large Key West home with good income ppotential.  This is a great location near the Seaport and Duval Street attractions.

CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

311 Elizabeth Street is offered at $1,695,000. It has a total of seven bedrooms, four baths, four kitchens that occupy 3124 square feet of space on the 5269 square foot lot.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.  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.

311 Elizabeth Street, Key West Florida - Old Town with Transient License

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 311 Elizabeth Street, Key West. This historic old Grand Conch home is located at the foot of the Historic Key West Seaport and just two blocks from Duval Street. It has a very valuable Transient Rental License, a great pool, and off street parking.  The listing Realtor describes this property as:

"This is a grand historic home with double porches on a great block of Elizabeth Street in the heart of old town. The property has a spacious owner's apartment plus two transient guest house units, one in a separate poolside cottage. The classic architecture features Dade County pine, high ceilings and expansive rooms. The large owner's apartment is in the main house. The pool is surrounded by lush tropical foliage and decking. The entire property is fenced for privacy. The property includes a coveted off street parking space. The A+ location is close to the Land's End area shopping & marinas and Duval Street. Some TLC will make this jewel shine!"

 

I dug down into the old shoebox and found the black and white photo two above that was taken nearly fifty years ago.   The photo immediately above is very recent. Shutters, flags, and tropical vegetation give the old girl a bit more flair.  I checked the Sanborn Fire Maps and first found 311 Elizabeth Street specifically noted on the 1899 map.  When I recently stepped inside the house to take photos, I could tell this was indeed an old house. Although most of the downstairs was updated in the past twenty years, the dark Dade County Pine walls in the main floor living room and ceilings were a dead giveaway that this was a very old house indeed.

The property has three living spaces that are recognized by the City of Key West. They include (1) the main floor owners' unit, (2) second floor apartment with associated guest house licensed room, and (3) a guest cottage also with a guest house licensed room. There is an attached guest suite extension from the main floor owners unit that includes a living room, Pullman kitchen, bath, and bedroom. 

The detached guest cottage is as large as many of the smaller homes and condos in the Old Town area.  The great room has a tall vaulted ceiling with skylight and a bright and cheery kitchen. A steep stairway leads to a large second level sleeping loft which would accommodate two queen size beds.

The guest suite attached to the rear of the owners' main level living area is quite large. It includes a Pullman kitchen (two above), a living room, bath, and good sized bedroom.

CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

311 Elizabeth Street is offered at $1,695,000. It has a total of seven bedrooms, four baths, four kitchens that occupy 3124 square feet of space on the 5269 square foot lot.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.  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. 

1214 Varela Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, but not by me, 1214 Varela Street in the Old Town area of our island city. The listing Realtor describes this charming home and guest cottage this way:

"In 2002, this home underwent a total renovation down to the frame, transforming it in to one of the most sophisticated elegant two story Conch homes with a new 2 story guest house adjacent to Knowles Lane. When you enter the front you are greeted by a dramatic, elegant living spaces, with truly one of the best kitchens. Large folding glass doors open the inside out to the lanai and pool. On the opposite side of the pool is the 2 story guest house with full bath. On the second level there is an oversized master suite with a hallway of wood and glass closets, leading to an outstanding master bath and terrace. Reclaimed Dade County Pine throughout. Off Street parking on Varela and Knowles Lane. This home was used on House Hunters."

The Realtor of course is referring to HGTV's House Hunters where a couple looked at three competitively priced homes in the Old Town area. The couple ultimately picked another home; that is a story for another blog.  This home which was then priced at $2.595,000, went unsold. The new asking price is $1,895,000.

Upon entering this home you know you have arrived at a special place where living is done with style and grace. Without offending anyone, the original house was neither stylish nor graceful.  It was a large house that sat on very large yard (6218 sq ft)  had been previously been used as a Montessori school among other uses. There was an existing out building at the rear that was accessed off Knowles Lane. Knowles Lane is a cute little Old Town lane with smaller houses and cottages.  The 1214 Varela Street lot was wide enough for both the cottage and parking.

I housed many open houses at this property several years ago before any renovation occurred. I remember extolling the virtues of this big old lady that had a solid build and a big back yard. (Pardon me to any women readers who might be offended. I didn't get to participate in the sale of this property, but it did sell and the new owner undertook a substantial renovation of the home.

The present home now includes a first guest room (used as an office) on the front right, a guest bath on the front left, a center hall that leads to the combined living, dining, and kitchen areas at the rear. The entire second floor is the master suite complete with sitting area, bed chamber, luxurious master bath, custom closets even the Real Housewives of Miami would envy, plus a private roof top sun deck.

    

The covered lanai the listing Realtor mentions is just wonderful. Having lots of doors and windows that open and invite our wonderful sunshine and clean fresh air inside the home is part of the reason all of us expatriates from America come to Paradise to live. This particular home has this gracious lanai, secluded pool and garden which seemingly combine the indoor living areas into the outdoor spaces.

Just beyond the pool is the two story guest cottage which has two bedrooms and a shared bath. The combined living areas for both buildings is 3158 sq ft.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls database and to see the listing photos of this wonderful Key West home. Better than that, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.