915 Cornish Lane, Key West - Old Town Buying Opportunity

 I have written a several blogs suggesting that readers quit their jobs and move to Key West. I know some people actually fantasize about doing that. And some people actually follow through and do the deed, not because I suggested it but because Key West is so alluring on so many different levels.  Key West lures the sane and the not-so-sane. People come here to find a way of life that is not possible to achieve elsewhere. Many of those who end up here adopt the manana way of looking at life and develop an ethos that determines the importance and speed within which daily tasks need to be completed. Government workers do the same thing, except they just get paid a salary and receive benefits for moving slowly.

No matter which street a person lives on in Key West, all of us live our lives in the slow lane. Key West is in the midst of Spring Break and people of all ages from all over the world are here enjoying our wonderful climate, our pebbly beaches, our bubbling bars, and a myriad of other things that draw people here. Getting around becomes a chore for us locals who view having to wait two light cycles to cross Truman Avenue as near insanity. When we make it home, we de-stress and all is right with the world. For those Key Westers who actually reside on a lane, life is much slower and much quieter. Many of the lanes such as Cornish Lane are less than a block long. Cornish Lane dead ends about 145 feet from Grinnell Street whence it begins. While Cornish Lane is paved with tar, none of the three homes on this lane have any off street parking space. There are several similar lanes in Old Town and they attract owners that want a slow paced and quiet lifestyle.

The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Home of Men's Fashion Designer Andrew Christian & featured on HGTV's new show Hunting Vintage. Formerly the home of the B-52's cofounder, Keith Strickland. This stunning contemporary cottage is tucked away at the end of a quiet lane, beautifully renovated down to the last detail and sold turnkey with its designer furnishings. Walnut wood floors throughout, accented with Caesarstone counters in the kitchen & bathrooms, wood built-ins provide a seamless & chic touch. Lush & private from the front, sun-filled and airy in the garden, this 2 bedroom and 1.5 bath home is the ultimate getaway. Viking & Subzero appliances, top of the line fixtures and high ceilings. Wrapped in ipe decking with 2 outdoor showers & a stunning plunge pool."

I showed this property maybe a dozen years ago, I was not prepared for the home as it now exists. I sold the prior owners a large home in the Casa Marina Area a couple of years ago. They told me about the intense renovation they had done to 915 Cornish Lane a few years earlier. Intense was right - they rebuilt it. And everything they did was done with style and demand for excellence.  As you walk down Cornish Lane and spot the cottage behind the gated entrance, you'll notice the board and batten exterior, the wood shutters, and may expect to see a cute little storybook house. Instead when you open the front door you enter into space larger than you would expect with a wall of windows which looks out to the pool and garden beyond. The interiors are stark and modern in design and function. The master bedroom is located immediately right of the entry. A guest bedroom and bath are located to the left. The kitchen is to the right rear and the pool is directly forward.

The master bedroom and master bath are the perfect marriage of old Key West and contemporary lifestyle. One bedroom wall offers private views of the sequestered outdoor space. The en-suite bath offers a step-through shower which can be entered from the outdoors or from the sleek interior. You won't find the custom cabinetry at the bargain barn. Ever.

 The guest bedroom and guest bath are located opposite the front door. This is a small and private space for the occasional guest. While this is a two bedroom house, the spaces were designed for a single person or couple who may have an occasional visitor as opposed to a small family. 

915 Cornish Lane is now offered at $1,265,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and beautiful listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this up to date old house. I know the people who did this renovation. This is a really good buy. This is sophisticated living in an excellent Old Town location close to everything.

817 Eaton Street #5, Key West - Life on the Slow Lane

If you are seeking a small Key West hideaway located on one of the slow lanes of Key West that so many wannabes find irrepressibly enchanting, you may want to take a look at 817 Eaton Street #5. It is a stand alone two story cottage that is part of a five unit condominium located where Eaton Street and Gecko Lane meet. The cottage is located about seventy-five feet north of Eaton Street on a dead end gravel lane with only a couple of other cottages.   The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"Located in the Historic Seaport area. Own your own piece of paradise. Walk down the private secluded Gecko Lane to a detached, 2 story, standalone cottage. Very open and bright with a full kitchen (granite counters) living room area, full bathroom downstairs, bedroom with 1/2 bathroom and laundry upstairs. A quarterly condo fee covers insurance and maintenance outside. Off street parking available."

The house is only 422 sq ft divided between main floor with a two story vaulted living area and second floor bedroom and half bath.  This home would be the perfect candidate for an episode of HGTV's Tiny House Hunters. It is small but it has all the necessities plus an idyllic location in Old Town Key West near the Historic Seaport and Duval Street which is only four short blocks away.

There is a built-in dining table located under the stairway. The table folds up under the stairway to create sitting or storage space or maybe a space to place a chest or artwork. The listing Realtor told me she does not think the oven has ever been used. The current owner is the only owner since the main building and this cottage were renovated an made into condominiums in late 2003 or early 2004. The space is rarely used. There is a first floor guest bath to the rear of the kitchen where there is also a set of French doors which open out to a bricked private side yard. This space is in addition to the gated front entry garden which is graveled.

 

The birds nest bedroom includes an adjacent half bath. The current owner is installing a new air conditioning system. The window unit AC will soon be history. The stairway walls are the perfect place to display an art collection of your favorite Key West artists.

The historic seaport is located a little over one block away. There are lots of small eateries all over the seaport area including Harpoon Harry's. The Old Town bakery is a couple of blocks east at the corner of Grinnell and Eaton. And there are great donuts next door to the Tropic Cinema on the far side of Duval Street. You'll never go hungry for food or something fun to do in this location.

 817 Eaton Street #5 is offered at $499,000. 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.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

811-814 Carey Lane - Old Town Key West

 On several occasions I have written the solace of  living on the slow lanes in Key West. Carey Lane has got to be one of the "slowest" of any. That is for sure. Carey Lane is a real "dead end" lane as the photos above show. It is located at the junction of Margaret Street and Angela Street. The Key West Cemetery is on the opposite side of that "junction where Angela Street suddenly becomes  becomes Carey Lane. Margaret Street bends to the right and suddenly becomes Passover Lane. It's Key West's gift to confusing tourists.

The current owner of 811 and 814 Carey Lane acquired each property separately and began the process of creating a large home with separate guest cottage.  The are located at the far end of Carey Lane which maybe runs a total of 250 feet, if that. Some of the sweetest little houses in all of Key West are located on Carey Lane. Carey Lane, Dear Reader, truly is one of the sweetest of the sweet little lanes that make our little island community so alluring. Each little house that faces or backs onto this lane is an absolute charmer in its own right.

 

 The listing broker more fully describes 811-814 Carey Lane thus:

"Quiet serenity awaits you at this secluded tropical oasis in the heart of Old Town Key West. Tucked away at the end of one of the most beautiful lanes in Old Town, this large estate with multiple buildings is the ultimate in tropical living. Beautifully renovated 2/2 historic guest house built in 1943 evokes Key West charm with modern conveniences. New kitchen and baths, central air and private outdoor spaces. Spacious one-level 3/3 main house built in 1970 waiting for your personal touches with great floor plan, high ceilings, detached bedroom/office, enclosed porch overlooking a large pool with lushly landscaped 9179 square foot lot. Off street parking, peaceful and quiet location. A Tropical Jewel For Serene Island Living."

I have written abut the guest cottage several times before it became a part of this larger property. At one time I wrote "it really is one of my very favorite homes in Old Town. There is something so quaint, so cool, so unassuming, and so welcoming that just about anyone will feel at home. The house is nested under some very large trees that give it a protected feeling. It is located on a quiet lane removed from the hubbub of Key West and yet it near everything."  I have shown this property a couple of times since it was recently listed. I fell in love again with this quaint space. Below are some sample photos that show how inviting a small space can be.

The problem with having such a comfortable guest house is that your guests will stay and stay and stay forever.  And who could blame them? Now if you bought the combined properties and either decided to separate them into two separate parcels or if you decided to add to a pool to the guest house lot, I think there is abundant room for a pool. Here's another thought. If you added a fence with friendly gate between the two properties, your guests would have a sense of privacy that is currently missing. However, if you decided to rent the guest cottage either as a long term rental or a vacation rental apart (separate) from the main house, I think you could keep this comfy cottage rented year around.  Especially if you add a pool.

Ample gated off street parking is another reason to consider this property.

The main house has really comfortable indoor and outside living spaces. For the most part the indoor spaces offer picturesque window views of the gardens or the pool.  The indoors and outdoors merge into unique Key Westy environments when the mix is done right. It is done right here.

The screen enclosed outdoor living-dining area is located on the opposite side of the living room (below photo). That area is probably where most owners would spend the preponderant time enjoying this home. The space provides views of the lush tropical garden and alluring pool. This area almost has the feel of a cabin - except that it is in Key West and the views are of palm trees not pine trees. Maybe its just that this space reminds me of the coziness cabins offer.

811 - 814 Carey Lane has combined interior living spaces of 2639 sq ft that sit upon a 9179 sq ft site hidden away from the rest of the world. There are a total of five bedrooms, five baths, and numerous living and dining spaces.  This property has been reduced to just $1,995,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos of the property.  You might also CLICK HERE to view other photos.

If you would like to see this truly appealing property located at the end of the slowest lanes in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.