817 Eaton Street, Key West Florida - Just Listed!

Just Listed!, but not by me, 817 Eaton Street Unit 1, Key West, Florida. This once grand single family home was converted into a five unit condominium in 2003. This unit is located on the first floor and has a wonderful view of the front garden.

 This property is located in the heart of Old Town. Most of the homes on Eaton Street were grand houses - most, but not all. The houses are amongst the finest examples of architectural styles that make our island home so rich and inviting. You'll love living in such a refined living space. This ground floor unit means you won't have to climb a lot of stairs. That will prove invaluable as you begin to age. But until then, it means you can run out of the house and be on your way to start a new day in Paradise.

When you enter this home you are awed by the ceiling height. This must have been quite a house back in the day. What was the original entrance hall is now the kitchen. If you think that means the kitchen is dinky, think again. Remember I said this house was grand. What may have been the parlor in the late 1800s  is now the living room and what may have been the dining room is the bedroom in this one bedroom condominium with 805 sq ft of living space.

The current owner added a breakfast bar perfect for two. What might you do to make this kitchen space your kitchen eatery?

The bedroom is located behind glass doors to provide privacy when required. Notice the height above the doors. You may not think the height is that big of a deal. Well, I think it is and I suggest any serious buyer compare the use of space and height in this unit to something of more recent construction a few blocks to the west in Truman Annex where you will get something smaller in size and less grand in construction for a bit higher price. Size matters.

The bedroom opens directly into the bathroom which has a separate entrance for use by guests. There are guest houses located a block away for those occasions you have guests. Surely they will come. But you don't need to wine and dine and provide them a bed. They can figure out this little island for themselves and share coffee or cocktails with you.

 The original house at 817 Eaton Street was built in 1892. The condominium developer added on to to the building when it was converted into condominiums in 2003. Four of the units are located in the Eaton Street building and the fifth unit is the detached "carriage house" located on Gecko Lane. Gecko Lane is the small lane just to the right of the telephone pole in the photo. There are three incredible homes on this inconspicuous lane.

I have shown each of the units over the years since 2003. I believe the condo conversion was thoughtful. Each of the units has a good layout with comfortable living spaces. This particular unit has the sole use of the front porch. There is no pool nor other common outside area. I took more PHOTOS which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

If you are looking for a large condominium in Old Town within walking distance to everything Old Town has to offer, this may be the property you have been waiting for. I know a lot of people say they must have a pool. Finding a nice unit like this with as much quality living space at this price with a pool is problematic. I have a very viable and very affordable alternative. Buy this place and walk two blocks to Dante's.  Dante's is located at the historic seaport. For the price of a couple of drinks, you can lay by the pool all day long. A lot of locals do it. We have a lot of really cool and interesting people who live here. You might even meet somebody to brighten your life there.

 I went over to the unit earlier this morning to take some photos of the nearby marina. It's just a block away. Imagine walking the dog and stopping by your favorite coffee spot to watch the waterfront come alive. One of my favorites for breakfast or lunch is Harpoon Harry's. It's located around the block at the corner of Margaret at Caroline Streets. The waterfront is magical before all the tourists and boat day-trippers start to arrive. The new 24 Hour Gym is located a block away as well. Duval Street is three blocks to the west. People save all year to come here for a week or two. You could live here all year and live your life the way you dream of.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS database on 817 Eaton Street #1 which is offered at $529,000. Then please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

5 Fletchers Lane, Key West - Life on one of our Precious Slow Lanes

I found the above photo of 5 Fletchers Lane with the notation that the boy sitting on the front porch of Grandma's house was James. The photo was taken in 1965. The house first appeared in the Historic Sanborn Fire Map dated 1889. The narrow lane was not given a name until the 1912 map when it was arbitrarily called Amplex Ct. I don't know when Amplex Ct became Fletchers Lane but I do know it was before 1965. Today the front of the house looks nothing like it did just fifty-one years ago. But it is the same house along with the  major two story addition to the right..

The house sits at the far end of Fletchers Lane which is located about 100 feet west of the corner of Eaton Street. While the lane is narrow, you can drive an auto to this house which has off street parking. Several really charming homes line either side of the lane about half of which front on Grinnell Street. If you are the type of buyer who values privacy, this may be the home of your dreams.

 The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Luxurious & Elegant Historic Home on one of the most desirable lanes in Old Town Key West. The perfect location for walking to the Seaport or Duval Street, The Old Town Bakery and 5 Brothers. Situated at the end of a quiet lane on a lush tropical lot, this 4 bedroom home underwent complete renovation and additions in 2007. High ceilings, hardwood floors, bright & airy kitchen with open floor plan overlooking tropical yard and inviting pool. The original historic home has been made into a beautiful first floor Master suite. The property features vaulted ceilings, 2 large guest bedrooms plus a wonderful guest cottage providing comfort and privacy for you and your guests. Ample off street parking, brick patio for entertaining, and a central Old Town location make this the Quintessential Luxury Oasis in Old Town Key West."

You enter the new addition to 5 Fletchers Lane off a traditional covered front porch. While it looks old, it's relatively still new. The interiors are anything but old. While the open living space had many traditional elements, the spaces are open and have multiple functions. And they are damned pretty!
The pool view shows the back of the new addition plus the guest cottage. The original house is almost hidden behind the guest cottage. That space is now the master suite shown with the white iron bed. The guest cottage is shown just above. The problem with owning such a sweet place like this is that your guests won't want to leave. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this home.

5 Fletchers Lane is a 2352 sq ft home. That's really large for a home in Old Town. It has four bedrooms with three and one-half baths. The pool is long and narrow and gets sunshine. The second floor rear deck provides space for natural sunbathing because nobody can see up there. This home would make a great vacation rental when the owner is not in town. 

The new 24 Hour Fitness just opened a block away on Caroline Street at the Historic Key West Seaport. After you or your guests have worked off the calories from the day before, you or they can stop by Harpoon Harry's and load up new ones. Duval Street is just a couple of blocks further to the west. Your guests will love you for buying a place that is tucked away on one of the slow lanes of Key West but which is so close to everything that is so much fun.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 5 Fletchers Lane that is offered at $1,699,000. 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.