A Most Horrible Day

Now we have to grieve for the lives that were taken. 

How many more lives are going to be lost?

Key West Foundry Unit No. 15 - Transient Licensed Townhome

Just Listed, but not by me, this beautiful three story Foundry Townhome located in the Truman Annex. The listing Realtor describes this two bedroom, two and one-half bath unit this way:

"Move-in ready and exceptional. The historic Foundry building is in the award winning Truman Annex and this unit is located on the highly desirable front side of the building. Enter through a private gate into a lushly landscaped courtyard with French doors that welcome you into a great room with 11 foot ceilings. The open kitchen has been updated with corian countertops and maple cabinetry and has a powder room off it. The second floor master bedroom has a bath en suite and private deck overlooking Front Street. The private 3rd floor guest bedroom has a bath en suite and 3 large windows. Many upgrades include impact windows and doors, plantation shutters, pocket doors, TREX decking, A/C replaced in 2015, and a much sought after carport with storage. This pristine home has been lovingly maintained. The unit does convey with the special Truman Annex Transient License that has restrictions."

This transient licensed unit looks and feels more like a real home than you'd expect in a transient licensed property. The pride of ownership shines through big time. Every thing is in perfect condition. Note the powder room located just off the kitchen. 

The master bedroom is located on the second floor and the second bedroom is located on the third floor, Each bedroom has an en-suite bath.

This unit is fortunate enough to come with a covered parking spot - not all units have covered parking. And this unit has a special Truman Annex Transient Rental License which allows the owner to rent the unit on a weekly basis for 25 weekly rentals and unlimited monthly vacation rentals of 28 days.  Truman Annex is a very popular rental destination for returning guests to Key West.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on Unit No. 15 at The Foundry, Key West. This unit is offered at $975,000.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This will go quickly.

918 Southard Street #101, Key West, Florida

Just listed but not by me, 918 Southard Street #101, Key West, Florida. This is private and spacious first floor unit tucked away from the other units in popular Southard Square Condominiums located in the very heart of Old Town. The listing Realtor describes this property thus:

"Charming condo located in the highly desirable Southard Square Condominiums, this ground level unit offers privacy and convenience in a tropical paradise. With a recently updated bathroom and flooring, this unit's open floor plan offers a comfortable and spacious area to enjoy family and friends while preparing meals or enjoying the breeze on the patio. This thoughtfully planned community has wandering walkways and paths that guide you through the gardens to the large shared pool and clubhouse perfect for small gatherings. This monthly vacation rental has a proven history as an income producer. Convenient Old Town location is close to restaurants and Historic Seaport and includes a dedicated off-street parking space."

Southard Square Condominiums was built in 1987. I remember hearing that part of the 918 Southard building was the former location of the De Poo Hospital. I dug down into the bottom of my old shoebox and found the black and white photo taken in 1965 of the De Poo Hospital. Then I found another photo of a house next door at 912 Southard Street which was taken down so that the modern condominiums could be built. I doubt that our Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) would allow a similar fate to a historic house today. It is interesting to compare and contrast the two styles of architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  I took the color photos below which show the "renovated De Poo Hospital" as it looks today.  The front of the condo development now sits where 912 Southard Street was once located. Several nearly identical houses to 912 Southard Street still exist just to the east and also around the corner from 5 Brothers Grocery on at the corner of Southard and Grinnell Street.)

918 Southard Street in 1965

912 Southard Street in 1965

 

Today Southard Square is a stable condominium community with just 16 units most of which are owner occupied. A few units, such as #101, are rented as monthly vacation rentals. The entrance to  Unit # 101 is located just to the left of the main gated entrance shown immediately above. The main bricked pathway leads through the landscaped courtyard to the huge pool located in the middle of the property.  The pool is very large and provides ample opportunities for sunning most of the day. There is also abundant deck area so that non-sun worshipers can lay by the 20' X 40'pool but not get zapped by the Key West sun rays.

The club house or community room

The historic buildings and the newer buildings are each different as are each of the residential units. This is no cookie cutter community here. Each unit has an assigned off street parking spot. Unit #101 is located at the front of the easternmost building. It has a private outdoor sitting area tucked behind tropical foliage.

If you have traveled to Key West several times and stayed at one of the many Shipyard Condomiums, you will probably appreciate the fact that this one bedroom unit is just a bit larger than the typical two bedroom Shipyard units.  Here the kitchen and living areas are open. There's a breakfast bar for casual dining. Notice also the sofas can be converted into sleepers for the occasion guest.

The monthly condo association fees at $667 and cover building maintenance, common area and pool maintenance, building insurances, trash removal, and basic cable TV. The property is professionally managed as well.

5 Brothers Grocery - half a block away

Mangia-Mangia up on the corner at Margaret Street

Michael's Steak House also on nearby Margaret Street

Key West Seaport - a five minute walk down Grinnell or Margaret Street

The pool - a one minute walk out the front door

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more listing photos of this unit. This one bedroom, one bath first floor unit is offered for sale at $500,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this monthly vacation rental. This unit is constantly booked so advance appointments are mandatory. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1430 Albury Street, Key West - Dream the Possible Dream

The above photos show the vacant lot at 1430 Albury Street in Key West which is offered for sale with all necessary building plans approved by various City of Key West agencies to construct a new home.  Now in most parts of America that would not seem like a big deal. But in Key West where there are few building lots and especially lots in such a prized location as this, it is a pretty big deal.  That is because the Historic District in Old Town and much of the Meadows Area and the Casa Marina Area fall under the protective HARC (Historic Architectural Review Commission). HARC is charged with the preservation and conservation of the character, integrity and appearance of the historic districts. All changes, alterations, additions, demolitions or relocations to buildings and sites must first obtain a certificate of appropriateness from HARC before any work can be undertaken. That's kinda easy to write but more difficult to obtain in real life. 

As lovely as the old CBS house was, in reality it was not worth saving. The building had spalling in a couple of locations. The owner went through the tedious process of obtaining permission from  HARC to raze the non-historic structure. The owner worked with local architect Carlos Rojas to design a two story 'Conch' Style home with about 1900 sq ft of living space on a 50' X 70' (3500 sq ft) lot. All plans have been HARC Approved and all City Planning  Department requirements met. A new owner can apply for a building permit the day you close. The hard work has been done. The house will have four bedrooms, three and 1/2 baths, four porches, a pool and deck, and off street parking. The house can be constructed with new and efficient building materials including Hardiboard siding which is easier to maintain than traditional wood siding. The home will include new wind impact resistant windows and doors. This means your wind insurance will be a fraction of what you would pay for a house with regular windows. The new house is FEMA flood compliant which will result in lower insurance costs. Your regular home owner's insurance will be less costly because it will be built to the highest building standards in Florida again as compared to old construction. These savings will be significant in the short and long term. If you don't like the approved plans,  you could revise the plans and build a different version of your own dream house. The site approvals and basic structural approvals are in place and should govern any proposed change. A new owner could revise the plans and build a different version of his or her dream house. The approvals are done. The hard part is over.

The new house will be located within easy biking distance to Duval Street and all of the noise and commotion over there. I know a lot of potential buyers think they want to live within two blocks of Duval. Believe me, you'll be much happier not having to hearing folks walking back to their hotels or rental houses at 3:00 AM or listening to Conch Train conductors re-telling stories about old Key West twenty times a day - every day of the week. 1430 Albury Street is located in a much quieter part of the Historic District, just one block from Bayview Park. You can go there to walk your dog, play tennis, marvel at the glorious Royal Poinciana trees, or participate in one of the civic events which occur at the park throughout the year. Of you can go out the back door and sit on the deck and watch the sun rise or walk the dog down lovely Albury Street which is populated with huge flowering and fragrant trees. You will fulfill your dream of living life in Paradise.

1430 Albury Street is offered with approved architectural plans at $750,000. The price does not include the cost of construction of the new home but it does include all architectural plans, surveys, approvals, etc.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. I can provide more detailed information on the plans to interested buyers. Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

714 Olivia St #4, Key West - Bank Owned with Transient License

There is a new Bank Owned listing at 714 Olivia Street, Unit #4 in Old Town Key West that is something to cheer about - the reason is it has a very valuable Transient Rental License and is affordably priced.  The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"Cottage style condominium with a transient license in Old Town Key West. The one level cottage has vaulted ceilings, tile floors, open floor plan and french doors in the living room and bedroom that open onto porches. The condo is being sold furnished. The Colony Condominium is a small community with a large beautiful pool and off street parking."

This is one of nine units total. Some of the units share a 'common wall' with an adjacent property. This his an historic property that was updated and expanded just a bit when the property was turned into condominiums. 

The deck at the front of the house looks off to the pool and the winding bricked sidewalk which leads to  the front entry.  There is also a private rear deck accessed off the kitchen were you might have a grill or lounge chairs for more private chilling or entertaining.

Unit #4 is a one bedroom, one bath condo with 526 sq ft of interior living space. It has a valuable Transient Rental License which permits daily, weekly, or monthly rentals. A new owner is not required to rent the unit at all, but having the viability to rent daily or weekly makes this particular property very valuable in the eyes of many. The condo fees are 1400 per quarter and cover trash, sewer,trash removal, building maintenance and insurance, and common area & pool maintenance.  This property in located in an excellent part of Old Town and could be easily rented throughout most of the year if the new owner wanted to do so.  CLICK HERE to see more photos I took.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to learn more info on this unit. Use the drop down menu for more info.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a showing on this neat and well located 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.