508 Grinnell Street, Key West - Gracious Old Town Residence

The listing Realtor describes the home at 508 Grinnell Street this way:

Elegance and Serenity will greet you as you walk through the doors of this Impeccably Restored Historic Home, located on the Coveted 500 block of Grinnell St., just a short stroll from the Historic Seaport. The living space flows flawlessly to the pool and pool house and combined with the lush landscaping and design, creates an Impressive entertaining area. Three Bedrooms and three full baths,

two of which are ensuite are all spacious with plenty of storage. The pool house is air conditioned and can be used as a fourth bedroom. Gorgeous Hard wood floors, Walls of windows, original Dade county Pine sporadically found in the perfect locations. All finishes are of the highest quality and tastefully appointed. Located in the x-zone and one off street parking spot. A beautiful Key West Gem for the Discerning Buyer.

This house first appeared in the 1889 Historic Sanborn Fire Map when it was numbered 231 Grinnell Street.  That means this house was built at least as of 1889. It could date back years earlier. The house numerator changed to 508 Grinnell Street in the 1892 map. The MAP shows  a large open area in the rear with numerous small cottages interspersed in a very large open area that identified as "Goats Retreat". Today that area has numerous small cottages that face onto Hibiscus Lane  which begins on Grinnell Street and ends a couple of hundred feet to the west where a private gate opens into a stunning Balinese retreat currently offered at over $6 million. The houses two doors to the right front onto Fleming Street and all are multi-million dollar homes. The quaint little houses of more than a hundred forty years ago have become pretty expensive homes in modern day Key West.

The black and white photo below shows 508 Grinnell Street as it appeared in 1965. If you compare the two photos you will see that the current house is much larger than the original house. Shed additions were added to both sides of the attic giving the second floor meaningful living space. (You cannot do that today. HARC won't allow it.) Today there are two bedrooms each with full baths on the second floor. Original metal louvers were replaced with glass windows and air conditioned interiors.
The 1950s vintage aluminum awnings shown below were removed. The old fashioned concrete base was removed and new wood columns added. The front entry was moved from the right side to the left side of the house.

The front door actually opens onto a covered portico that runs the length of the house. Thee sets of glass doors provide abundant light into the living room. There is an office located at the front (no photos).

I had to pause and touch the wood when I reached the staircase. Everything so was perfect. The original wood remains, distressed over the years just like any other old-timer. A bath is located at the right rear. There are numerous little cubby-hole closets and other places throughout the house. You will notice the continued theme of bright white set against warm wood.

The doors open out to the side and rear porch which leads to the pool, sunning area, and pool cottage. Everything here is pristine. Doors can remain opened throughout much of the winter while folks up north are wearing long johns and parks, folks down here can sit outside at night and have a pleasant dinner wearing the Tee shits and flip flops.

 The second floor hallway reminds me a small boutique hotel in the Cotswolds. Every things is done on point. Nothing amiss. The laundry is hidden behind one set of doors. There is more storage behind others.

I was in this home earlier this morning along with 50 other Realtors all of whom were making sounds like "Ooh" and "Aah" at every turn.  This is a truly great house with so many delightful little features that make this home a standout.  The house is showcased so well that it looks like a place you might see in Architectural Digest which is anther great feature as it is offered furnished.

508 Grinnell Street is offered for sale at $1,995,000. CLICK HERE to view th Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. 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.

307 Truman Avenue, Key West

If you are a buyer searching for a Key West house with a checklist that an three bedrooms, two baths, a pool, and parking, you need to checkout 307 Truman Avenue. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this 1280 sq ft house that sits in the shadows of the Historic Key West Lighthouse.

I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps and found 406 Division Street on the 1889 Map. The street number on the 1892 Map was changed from 406 Division Street to 307 Division Street. Division Street later became Truman Avenue.  While trying to find the date Division Street became Truman Avenue I found the "Autobiography of Stephen Moreno Whalton" whereupon I learned that before Division Street got that name, it was previously known as Rocky Road. Mr. Whalton* further wrote

"Another event in my life that I have never forgotten happened when I was about seven years old, at that time there were a very few houses on the Southeast side of our Truman Avenue, most of that part of the Island was a wilderness, my grandfather and my father raised quite a number of horses in the woods of Key West, and my grandfather gave me a horse and my father had him broken to harness and saddle, this was a stallion, and somewhat mean. The only time that I was put on his back, was on a Sunday morning, when one of my father’s hired men put me on him without a saddle, as soon as he got out of the yard, he started to run, and I was too small to stop him, there was a man coming up the street who stood with his arms open,but when my horse got near this man, he made a quick turn to go by him, and landed me on a flint rock, I recovered from that accident in about six weeks, but I never had a chance to get even with that horse, as my father sold him before I became old enough to handle him. This was the end of the events of my early childhood, which have remained fresh in my memory down through the years, due of course, to the fact, that they made a great impression on my mind at the time of happening."

Next I looked through the old shoebox and found the black and white photo above of 307 Truman Avenue that was taken in 1965. Look at the clean lines of this simple wood frame house with metal roof. The architecture of old Key West is so basic. So minimalist. The simple lines live on a mere 126 years later. I think the simple architecture of our little town and this little house will continue to appeal to people for decades to come.   

There are three bedrooms and two baths. The master bedroom has an en-suite bath. There is a bonus loft space in the living room that is accessed via ship's ladder. There is another open space over the the front porch that provides some architectural interest inside the living room. The kitchen is really sweet.It adds so much architectural flavor to this place. The rear deck has a canvas awing. A small heated pool was added within the last five years. Other recent additions include a new roof, central air, hot water heater and stainless refrigerator. There two off street parking spots.

307 Truman Avenue is offered fully furnished except for artwork at the asking price of $895,000.  All you will need do is bring your toothbrush. 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. 

*There are two different streets in Key West named after Stephen Moreno Whalton. I happen to live at the corner of Whalton Street and Von Phister Street in the Casa Marina area. The other street is Whalton Lane which is accessed off Duval Street between Truman and Olivia Streets. Mr. Whalton's boyhood home was located there.

CLICK HERE to read the  "Autobiography of Stephen Moreno Whalton". It's great reading if you love Key West. I promise.

615 Southard Street - Key West - Dream a Little Dream

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 So many people come to Key West and fall in love with this little town. They imagine how simple and wonderful their lives could be if only they could live here - someday.  Most people return to their jobs up north in America and go back to the daily grind. They plod along and do their jobs, go to their kids' school and sports events, practices, or whatever.  They go to meetings and drive in traffic for hours on end. But even if they live a simple life,  they probably close their eyes and envision owning a little place on the island they someday want to call home. 

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, but not by me, 615 Southard Street which the listing Realtor describes this way:

"Come and see this perfect Key West Conch House today! With two bedrooms, two baths and a private swimming pool in this location, 615 Southard Street will certainly sell quickly. A few years back the property underwent a thorough and quality renovation. The current owners purchased the property in 2001. Features include custom woodcarvings, restored hardwood floors, high ceilings, updated baths and kitchen, central air and heat pump for pool. Property is being sold turnkey (fully furnished) with lovely tropical furniture and accessories. The location is in the heart of Old Town, and only 1.5 blocks to Duval Street and a leisurely stroll to the Historic Seaport. This updated Key West Old Town classic will sell quickly. Don't miss the boat."

I got a chance to show this home a couple of days ago. Shortly after I entered the front door and headed down the long hall on the left side of the house I saw the pool at the rear of the property. I knew instantly that I had showed this house many years earlier when the house was still a virgin cigar makers cottage in need of renovation.  I even remember the potential buyer - a doctor and his wife. They were looking for a place they could "fix up" and have a place to come to on their vacations. I told them that the location was about as good as you can get in Key West. After all, it is an easy walk to Duval Street but far enough away not to be a part of the loonieness that sometimes happens over there. I told them there was plenty of room for a pool. They went back up north to wherever it is they lived. They did not buy.  But someone did. There were a couple of deed transfers after that. The house was renovated (for which it received a ceramic star for excellence in renovation in 2000) and has been occasionally rented as a vacation rental since then.

I don't remember all potential customers as well as I remember that doctor and his wife. They missed a huge buying opportunity. The house sold in 1999 for just $265,000.

615 Southard Street Key West - 1965

615 Southard Street Key West - 2014

I looked in the historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that 615 Southard Street first appeared in the 1892 edition. It was not there in the 1899 edition so I assume the map is correct as to the approximate age of construction of this home. During the renovation new windows and mechanical systems were added.  The pool was built then as well. A new addition was placed at the back of the original house where the kitchen and dining area is now located. Doors at the rear open out to the garden and pool.

The formal living area is located at the front of the house. This former cigar makers cottage is rich with Dade County Pine walls throughout the property. Notice the extra tall ceilings and large baseboards that give the rooms a sense of strength and permanence.  Each room is painted a bit differently, but all rooms blend harmoniously. Since this home is offered furnished, it's nice to note that the house just feels "like home". 

The broad hallway on the left leads to the two bedrooms. The first bedroom has an en-suite bath. The second bedroom has an entry door into a second bath which also has a door that enters from the hallway. This second bath is used as a guest bath as well.

Once you near the kitchen the back addition opens into view. You see the pool, of course, but more importantly you see all sorts of visual stimuli that immediately lets you know this is a home.  Yes there is whimsy everywhere. There's a comfy sofa and chair, art, and bric-a-brac galore. The house looks both lived in but not outlived its presence. Who wouldn't love to spend a month here?

The rear doors open out to the kidney shaped pool and rear garden where there is abundant space to get a famous Key West tan (on a sunny day).  I took more photos on a semi-cloudy day which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

If you have been dreaming about buying a perfect place in Key West, a place that you might perhaps rent as a monthly vacation rental to help offset the cost of home ownership, you really ought to consider 615 Southard Street.  It has a successful rental history.  All furnishings and personalty convey with closing as do the advance rental reservations. The asking price is $998,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this special Key West home.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This home may be the home of your dreams.