1026 Von Phister Street, Key West - Casa Marina Area - Just Listed

Just Listed 1026 Von Phister Street, Key West is described by the listing Realtor this way:

"Stunning one of kind luxury residence with guest cottage on large corner lot in the prestigious Casa Marina neighborhood. Complete renovation in 2016 combined privacy with open spaces to create a truly captivating island experience. Beautiful features include marble-finish porcelain tile and brushed-oak flooring, high-hat LED custom lighting, and a chef's kitchen with top of the line appliances, stone counter-tops and custom-built cabinetry. Windows and doors are all hurricane-proof glass, many with remote roll-up shades. There is an enormous master suite featuring a luxuriously appointed Jacuzzi tub and private sitting-room/den. All three bedrooms and cottage open to private patios. The enchanting exterior is highlighted with lush tropical foliage and large pool with sunning platform. The over-sized lot offers off-street parking for two covered cars plus two uncovered."

This house sits on a large corner lot hidden from view behind tall stands of swaying palm trees and a six foot privacy fence. While the Old Town Area of Key West is noted for its historic small cigar maker cottages which often sit on postage stamp size lots, most of the homes in the Casa Marina Area were built after World War II, were originally larger in size, and located on lots sized at 5,000 sq ft and larger.

I have lived the Casa Marina Area since 1995 and have watched the area transform as once virgin lots got developed. mid-century homes were either taken down and new houses built, or like this property, totally redone. At the outset of the renovation process the owners id 1026 Von Phister Street called upon landscape architect Craig Reynolds to design the exterior so that the completed gardens would seamlessly integrate the hardscape and softscape, making them look as if they were always there. Craig designed everything from the 'doors out' including overall planting design, including the pool, spa, trellis and arbors, patios and decks, fountains and landscape lighting all of which is set within a framework of native plants and indigenous materials to complete the experience.

The main living areas, the master suite, and guest cottage all open out to the seductive pool. Whether at night or during the daytime, that pool is just magical. Visualize yourself taking a skinny dip just before retiring for the evening or doing a few laps before heading out to the boat.  Or the beach.  Higgs Beach is just four blocks to the south. Louie's Backyard is four blocks west. Or stay home. This is the place so many people dream of owing some day.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet plus listing photographs of 1026 Von Phister Street, Key West, offered for sale at $3,295,000.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this home. I am a buyers agent at Preferred Properties Key West. I am also the neighbor across the street. I can show this area and give you real first hand knowledge about the home and the area. It is not my listing but it is my chance to welcome the new owner into my neighborhood.

Just Listed: 1409 Grinnell Street, Key West - Casa Marina Area

Just Listed, but not by me, 1409 Grinnell Street, Key West. This Casa Marina Area home was originally built in 1972. It has just been totally renovated and is now available for sale.  The Casa Marina continues to grow in popularity with second home buyers who often seek contemporary homes on large lots with cost saving features such as impact windows generally not permitted in Old Town homes.

I love referencing the 1930 aerial photo of the Casa Marina Area where I added arrows indicating the locations of 1409 Grinnell Street and one of our premiere waterfront restaurants, Louie's Backyard. Today the scruffy area at the bottom right is Higgs Beach. A long swimming pier now extends out into the water. There are tennis courts, a playground, and a much more affordable restaurant, Salute on the Beach. It is this location near the beach that also makes homes in this area so attractive to new buyers. 

Take a moment and consider the scarcity of housing in the Casa Marina Area in 1930. Most of Key West's population was then concentrated in the Old Town area particularly near the historic seaport. As the population grew, other parts of the island saw new housing added. Most of the houses in the Casa Marina Area, midtown, and new town area were built after the end of World War II.  I moved into the area in 1995 when there were still a couple of never built upon lots. Most of the lots in the Casa Marina Area, like 1409 Grinnell, are larger than 4,000 square feet. Many lots are 10,000 square feet. Most of the streets, like Grinnell, do not have curbs and gutters. This "rural" feel is the opposite of the more densely populated Historic District where many of the lots are just 2500 square feet and heavily shaded by abutting two story buildings or ancient canopy trees.

This 1168 square foot home has four bedrooms including one located behind the kitchen. That room may also be used as a home office or media room. The fourth bedroom is located in the rear cottage. The house has new tile floors, impact windows and doors, a new kitchen, and three new bathrooms plus new HVAC. There is room for a pool adjacent to the covered patio and rear cottage.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 1409 Grinnell Street offered for sale at $1,149,000. 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.

1425 Whalton Street, Key West - Beautiful Casa Marina Property

Just Listed, but not by me, 1425 Whalton Street, Key West. This modest looking three bedroom ranch was built in 1963 and sits on an 8775 square foot lot at the corners of Whalton and Von Phister Streets in the tony Casa Marina Area of Key West. There are three salient facts in the preceding sentence that potential home buyers and renovators  One - the date of construction means this house is not a contributing structure to out Historic Housing and may be torn down and a new home built. Two - the corner lot has 97 feet frontage on the Von Phister Street side. Some might argue the Von Phister street address adds more value to the property just by the address. From my perspective the lot size opens the property to a multitude of renovation or new construction opportunities. Three - it's Casa Marina baby!  This is where the other rich folk want to live.

Readers of my blog may recall my last Projects of Key West blog where I noted the sale of 1506 Grinnell Street which sold in 2015 for $1.3 million and then torn down only to start construction on a new house. See photos below. That property is located one block south and one block west of 1425 Whalton Street. The dynamics of the neighborhood are the same. Both addresses command high sales prices because new houses on large lots will be worth substantially more when a new house is built.

Most of the homes in the Casa Marina Area sit on lots larger than 5,000 square feet which in many cases is twice the size of lots in the Old Town area. This 8775 square foot lot offers great development potential compared to restrictions in Old Town. 1425 Whalton Street has one mahogany tree located in the northeast corner. Otherwise, a new owner should be able to create a new home and landscaping plan that meets the desires of the owner unburdened by the whims of tree huggers. Also note the lot has abundant sunshine from the south, north, and west.  This means a new pool could have abundant sunshine throughout the day. 

The Casa Marina Area is located south of United Street and west of White Street where it ends at Louie's Backyard. Higg's Beach is the southern boundary. Astro City is a playground for the kids. There are two doggie parks segregated by size. There's a burger joint at the beach and of course there's always Louie's for sophisticated drinking and dining. But it's the beach from early morning until sunset that draws so many of us to the Casa.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for more particular details on the property and 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. I live in the Casa Marina Area and love it. I know you will too. 

1101 Von Phister Street, Key West - Casa Marina Area

While many first time buyers of a home in Key West seek a place in Old Town "close to Duval Street", others prefer the quiet Casa Marina Area known for the larger lots, tall swaying palms, and short walking distance to the beaches. The new listing at 1101 Von Phister Street enjoys all of the features selective buyers want. Th listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Located in the most sort after Casa Marina area, sits this incredible one level home with a 40 Ft lap pool surrounded by some of the most outstanding tropical landscaping. The home is currently divided into 2 separate living spaces. The main structure consists of 2 en suite masters with access to the pool. Living room is surrounded by French doors leading to the pool and dining area. Off the dining area is an expansive backyard. The guest cottage has 2 bedrooms, one has access to its own outside sitting area. An Elegant kitchen opens to the living room. There is parking adjacent to the guest cottage for 2 cars and the main entrance has parking for one.."

 The forty foot pool is one of the largest private pools on the island.  Unlike so many of the homes in Old Town which are often small and only have brief moments of real sun time, this Casa Marina pool enjoys sun from mid-morning through mid-afternoon all year long. And the large corner lot ensures no neighbor can watch you grab some all-over rays. Sun worshipers will fall in love with this pool upon first sight.

The 30 foot living room has a picture window view of the pool on the west while three sets of French doors on the east open out to the dining area with garden views of the rear garden. Another set of French doors opens into the living room from the entry alcove. You will find travertine marble tile flooring throughout the entire house and the the guest cottage.

The chef's kitchen includes stainless steel Viking Appliances, custom cabinetry, and slate counter tops. Two Italian pendant lamps add just a bit light to the island with Sharp Microwave Drawer. The outdoor dining area opens out to the rear gardens.

French doors in the south master bedroom open out to the pool. The home office is located just off the bedroom which  includes a larger walk-in closet.When you get tired of computing, open the French doors to take a dip in the pool..The bath includes a handcrafted vanity with slate (used throughout the main house) and six foot shower also lined with travertine marble.

 

The second master suite also has French doors that open out to the pool plus a rear door which opens out to the rear garden where the outdoor shower is located.

This home also includes a guest wing with a separate living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms which share a large bath complete with a large walk-in travertine shower. The separate entry is off a lush tropically fenced private yard plus separate off street parking,

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then contact Cory Held at Preferred Properties Key West to schedule a private showing 1t 305-240-0355. Offered at $1,795,000.