1227 Von Phister Street - Key West

Just Listed, 1227 Von Phister Street, Key West. Local architect Michael Miller designed the renovation and expansion of the bungalow style home and Scott Miller of Native Landscape designed the gardens. Their design earned a Ceramic Star for preservation from the Historic Florida Keys Foundation.

The listing Realtor describes the property as:

"Fully restored and winner of the 2013 Historic Preservation Star. This craftsman style, is a one level home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, office, salt water pool and outdoor shower. Located in the heart of Midtown, Key West, within convenient reach to Downtown, the airport and beach. The newest addition to the house is an oversized master suite complete with custom built-ins, and sliding doors revealing the tropical landscaping. The feel good ambiance of the cozy living/dining /kitchen,with stainless steel appliances provides maximum functionality. Privacy fence surrounds the outside living areas."

I think craftsman style homes are so very easy to understand. Unlike the Victorian and Queen Anne homes at the turn of the Twentieth Century which had all kinds of architectural drama going on, craftsman style homes were simplistic in design. Whereas a Queen Anne might have drama columns on a rounded front porch entry, a craftsman house like this one has simple linear columns which support the porch roof. When you enter this house light from the rear garden at the rear demands your attention: you feel compelled to move through the house to see what awaits beyond.

The architect didn't fool around with the traditional craftsman layout. The living room flows into the dining area which opens into the very large and inviting kitchen. A breakfast bar provides an informal place to eat for the homeowners or a place for guests to sit and watch meals being prepared or drinks being poured.  The home office is located just off the kitchen.

I took these photos on a rainy-on-and-off day.(CLICK HERE to view all the photos I took.) When I headed to the house, the sun was ablaze. When I got there, five minutes later (no place is far away in Key West), the sun was hiding under clouds. I apologize because this garden is absolutely beautiful.  I walked to the far side of the pool and was amazed in the variety and size of in the plant and tree selections. A small stone path leads away from (or to depending on where the walk begins) the pool to the new master suite. This is a Garden for Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve.

The master bath has dual sinks and a shower large enough for two. However, if you become the owner of this chic abode you'll probably use the outdoor shower more often than you'd imagine right now - especially if you live in the snowy northeastern part of the United States. But you will. Trust me!

1227 Von Phister Street is offered for sale at $1,050,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this wonderful home. If you act now, you could own this home by Christmas.

2013 Preservation Awards - Historic Florida Keys Foundation

I had the opportunity to attend the 2013 Historic Florida Keys Foundation Preservation Awards ceremony last Friday evening which was held at the Little White House in Key West.  Two buyers that I sold homes to received awards this year, and I felt honored to attend the event.

Five homes received a Certificate of Excellence including 909 Pohalski Lane shown below. This former house was significantly damaged by fire in 2011. The owner engaged noted local architect Tom Pope who designed a virtually new structure that incorporated the shell of the front part of the historic house which was totally rebuilt and expanded with a new two story addition at the rear. The original cigar maker cottage was part of the Pohalski Village of surrounding small homes. Congratulations to owner Mark Childress, Architect Tom Pope, and builder Key King Construction for a job very well done. What could have become rubble and might have been replaced with something mediocre has become little jewel for others to emulate.  I have seen a lot of houses that have burned in my time on this island. Nobody did a better job of saving a house damaged by fire than Messrs. Childress and Pope.

I accompanied Christopher Mario and his daughter to the ceremonies.  I sold 618 Grinnell Street to him a couple of years ago. I had written about the property at least once in my blog before he purchased the property. The big old house had been virtually untouched in years. Oh, it had been lived in, but it had not been remodeled in any significant way except that some former owner had taken out an interior wall on the ground floor which cause the structure to bend a bit and cause the second floor to be just a bit out of whack.  Chris engaged The Lineberry Architectural Group (which had designed another home for home for him) to design the restoration of his Key West residence.

The historic eyebrow house was jacked up and had a new pier foundation built. The rear "addition" to the house was totally rebuilt. Old partition walls were eliminated, the ceiling vaulted, and the sides opened with new windows or French doors. Decks were rebuilt, a bicycle garage was created, and a new pool was added which was complemented with a new garden comprised of native shrubs and trees. Chris Mario received a Ceramic Star for rehabilitation and restoration of the beautiful home at 618 Grinnell Street.

618 Grinnell St built circa 1889 as it appeared in 1965

2011

new piers being built

nearing completion

nearly done

618 Grinnell Street - Cermaic Star Winner 2013

Also present on Friday night was Mr. Tom Hambright the County Historian for the Monroe County Library. If you are ever fortunate enough to buy an old home in Key West and want to learn more about the history of your property, Tom Hambright is the man you must see.  For his years of service to the citizens of Key West, Mr. Hambright deservedly received  the 2013 community Service Award.