1100 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Stunning Mid-Century Residence

1100 Flagler Avenue is a stunning example of true Mid-Century Modern Architecture and is one of Key West's most beautiful residences. The main house and guest house feature walls of glass overlooking the tropically landscaped gardens. The house was originally built in 1958 and has been remodeled and tweaked a bit by various homeowners over the decades including author Judy Blume when the home was featured in Architectural Digest in 2016. I dug into my old shoebox and found photos of the house way back when.

I actually live one block north of this incredible property. I drive by it a dozen times a week. I took the photo immediately below in 2016 which shows a banyan tree anchoring the corner lot. The two following photos show the location after Hurricane Irma toppled the giant banyan. The house was not damaged. The last photo from 2018 shows that owner's addition of a brick fence that curves the corner. 

The expanded house is now 3,522 square feet of living space situated on a massive 15,336 square foot lot located just four blocks from the Atlantic Ocean and Higg's Beach. Louie's Backyard (that is not a neighbor but a posh restaurant and Doggie Beach are located just a couple of blocks to the west. 

Blume and her husband hired Key West architect Tom Pope who added walls of windows opening to the gardens where now the inside and outside are one. Raymond Jungles did the landscaping. The current owner is the second to own since the Blume and her husband sold. Let's take a quick look.

The house had five bedrooms and five baths. The outdoor shower is a work of art. Notice the showed extending out from the wall. I use my outdoor shower almost every day of the year - even the few days that get chilly and even in the rain. I just turn the water temperature up a bit higher. Looking up at the sky and seeing palm trees swaying is just awesome. Try it. You'll love it.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 1100 Flagler Avenue, Key West offered for sale at $4,300,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private tour of this very private treasure. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I have lived in the Casa Marina neighborhood for 25 years. You will love it.

1019 South Street, Key West - Just Listed

One of the joys of living in the Casa Marina Area of Key West is driving streets lined with swaying palms and giant mahogany trees. I often see my neighbors walking their dogs or tourists biking thru the area pointing out houses they dream of calling home someday. While Casa Marina Court, Johnson Street, and Flagler Avenue seem refined with curbs and gutters, the rest of the area retains its original rural charm with yards extending to the street. The architecture varies from a few original Conch houses, mid-century modern, and 21st Century contemporary. Most of the lots are 5,0000 square feet or larger many of which are hidden behind six foot tall privacy walls.

Each block in the Casa Marina area is different - there's nothing cookie cutter about this part of town. The new listing at 1019 South  Street is located one block from where I live. I walked over there a couple days ago while the photographer was taking photos for the new listing. This house is located caddy-corner across from 1100 South Street, the bungalow where Ernest Hemingway lived when he completed A Farewell to Arms. The two houses could not be any more different in style or construction. 1100 South Street is a stick built bungalow to which an earlier owner added a brick veneer that now covers the original wood siding of that single story home.

1019 South Street was built new in 2008 to replace one story CBS home that previously sat on the lot. The new house has 2,928 SqFt of interior living space plus covered and uncovered decks plus pool, loggia, and privacy fencing. I have lived a block away for 25 years. I cannot remember the lot before the new house was built. That is why I do my Projects of Key West series. Memories fail. Let's take a look at the house and pool.

The house is fenced for total privacy. You enter the yard thru gated entry into the foyer and then the great room. There is an informal sitting area on the right where glass sliders open out to the pool and loggia. The kitchen is a show stopper. The upper cabinets are illuminated to showcase china and glassware. There are gadgets galore. I don't they could have spent anymore. Really! The kitchen rocks. The family room is set back behind glass panel doors. There is a dining area nook off the side plus a guest bath. The above photos shows the large master suite at the rear.

There are four bedrooms and three and one-half baths. The master suite is located on the first floor which should make seniors excited. The master bath includes a big tub and shower. All closets are outfitted with closet systems for convenient storage. All rooms have high baseboards, crown molding, impress wood trim, recessed lighting, Plantation Shutters, and hardwood floors.

Two of the second floor guest bedrooms share a huge Jack and Jill bath while the other has an en-suite. The master and two of the guest bedrooms have doors that open out to private balconies or decks.

The loggia is located steps from the house and offers shade and protection from our seemingly ever-present sun. You will love the loggia this time of the year. It's getting hot and normal people cannot take as much sun as they think they can. Look at the above photo: you will see a pass through into the kitchen so that drinks can be exchanged without going inside. (Rich people think of everything.)

The current owners have not rented this home. It looks brand new on the inside. There is nothing for a new owner to do but bring cloths and a toothbrush. And booze. If you buy from me, I'll supply the booze.

Louie's Backyard, Higg's Beach, Fausto's Food Palace and the DQ are each located within easy walking distance. There are numerous nearby eateries, salons, gyms, and yoga studios. Upper Duval Street is a five block walk. The airport is seven minutes away. (I counted it.) What more could you ask for?

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 1019 South Street, Key West offered for sale at $2,939,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-755-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties. I live in this neighborhood and love it. If you like Old Town, you'll love the Casa Marina. Let me take you on a genuine tour.

1428 White Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just listed (but not by me) 1428 White Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West, Florida.  This home was built in 2000 by David Wolkowsky, the man who built the world famous Pier House at the foot of Duval Street and who built many homes in Key West over the years. His properties are legendary.  This is one of those legendary homes.

Wolkowsky's homes are not reinterpretations of old Conch houses with white picket fences you would expect to see in Old Town. Instead, his homes evoke a sense of mystique, grandeur, and prominence. A story high privacy wall set off by two giant Balinese doors let visitors know that this must be someplace important.

The Balinese doors open to the a covered portico along the south side of the home which leads to the rear courtyard with its serene 34' X 10' pool with fountains at either end. The entire main floor of the home has travertine marble floors. The travertine extends out to the covered lanai. French doors in the living area are open to the lanai the garden and pool creating one magical living space.

The home has 1680 sq ft of refined living space divided between two floors. There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The first floor bedroom can alternatively be used as a den. The current owners use this space as a dining room. Two sets of double doors provide either privacy if the space is used as a bedroom or they can be left open and incorporate the area into the living room. The adjacent bath serves both the den/bedroom and the kitchen on the opposite wall.  Having the potential to use this space as a bedroom in later years is an option worth considering.  You never know when climbing stairs might become an issue.The kitchen has rich wood cabinets that reach to the ceiling. The kitchen door opens out to a secondary back entry off the parking area which makes bringing the groceries less of a chore.

The master suite is located at the rear. There is a dressing area just off the bedroom that leads to the bath. The en-suite bath features slate tiles on the floors and walls. The space is unexpectedly exotic. French doors open out from the master bedroom to the rear second floor balcony. The pool and garden are below.  The second floor guest suite is located on the front side of the house. The guest bedroom, bath, and dressing area run the front length of the house. Guests may feel so comfortable they may never want to leave.

The dog park, Doggie Beach, Higg's Beach, Salute on the Beach, the White Street Pier, the Queer Pier, and Louie's Backyard are all withing easy walking distance. Your dog will love you even more if you buy this house.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 1428 White Street which is offered for sale at $1,569,000. 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. I live in this area and can provide any buyer a wealth of information on the area and the homes.