813 Waddell Avenue - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Location! Location! Location! Those are the words that are the driving force in most home sales across this country. And on the Island of Key West the two prime real estate locations are Old Town and the Casa Marina Area. Old Town is know for its historic old houses and white picket fences whereas the Casa Marina Area is know for the larger lots towering palms, and variety of homes that populate the area. The Casa Marina Area has its small share of older historic homes. But it has many mid-century homes and quite a good number of newly constructed homes as well. And the Casa Marina Area has its close proximity to the ocean and beaches that Old Town just does not have.

The mid-century modern home at 813 Waddell Avenue was built in 1954 and sits on an extra large lot that measures 105' X 100' (10,500 sq ft) opposite the Casa Marina Resort.  I dug into my old shoebox and found a 1950's vintage aerial photo that shows 813 Waddell Avenue. If you have been following my blog for a couple of years you may recognize the next door neighboring house which I featured a couple of times as it was being built.  That house is a prime example of new construction that is giving new vitality to this upscale Key West neighborhood.

Not every potential buyer of a home in Key West wants a cigar makers cottage or a grand conch house. And not every new buyer wants to own a mid-century home or a 21st Century reinterpretation of historic Key West architecture. That is what makes the 813 Waddell Avenue so appealing because a new owner could remodel the existing house or raze the house and build an entirely new home. It's nearly impossible obtain permission to raze a home in Old Town.  Having the option gives a new owner so many more possible ways to create exactly what he, she, or they want.

813 Waddell Avenue is actually two separate lots with two separate legal descriptions. A new owner might separate the lots and build two separate houses. I think the larger lot would cost less to develop than building two houses, but I'm not the guy who is going to build a new house or renovate the existing property. Having the option might make this property more interesting to some buyers. 

813 Waddell Avenue is located about two blocks from Higg's Beach.  The dog park is located opposite the beach. Salute's on the Beach is up there as well. The White Street Pier is where the annual 4th of July fireworks display occurs. The rest of the year it's a good fishing pier and sightseeing destination.  Louie's Backyard is located one block west of 813 Waddell Avenue and Doggy Beach is adjacent to the restaurant.   Most of the gyms and yoga studios are located within a five to seven minute walk of 813 Waddell Avenue. Did you know that you can buy a membership to the Casa Marina Club and have access to the private beach and use of the gym (pictured below)?  Upper Duval Street is about seven to ten minute walk. I have lived in the Casa Marina area since 1995. I love the area for its convenience and quiet neighborhood charm.

Higg's Beach

The Thing at Higg's Beach

White Street Pier as photographed in the 1980s - same ocean, same sky, but new rainbows occurring all the time

Casa Marina Resort Health Facility

I have not opined about the current real estate market in several months because our market has been so schizoid.  A few years ago we have lots of short sales, bank owned properties, and a fair share of regular market sale priced properties. When we had too many houses for sale, buyers were fearful of buying. The over supply of inventory has cleared up. Today, we have very few homes available in all price ranges except the very high. But even the very high end properties are selling. That has caused a lot of buyers to consider buying fixer and tear-downs even more-so than previously.

I don't want to go all political and get readers angry with me, but I think the current political climate and especially the negativism directed toward the Washington is hindering the national psyche.  I remember the same anti Jimmy Carter sentiment forty years ago. When he left office and Ronald Regan became President, it was like a heavy burden was lifted off America. When Clinton was in office the economy soared. Then 911 occurred within months of George W. Bush's election. We have lived through fourteen years of anger over what happened on 911. Then we went through the Great Recession. I think there is a pent-up demand from a lot of Americans to feel good about themselves and the national economy.

I think housing prices in Key West will soar in the next couple of years. I think a lot of sellers are sitting on the sidelines waiting.  Just waiting. If I am correct, prices today that might seem high will seem like bargains in a couple of years. This has been the operative history for Key West for many years I have sold houses here. 

813 Waddell Avenue is offered at $1,125,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing of this 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.

701 Washington Street- Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties Key West just listed the spanish style home at 701 Washington Street in the premier Casa Marina Area for $2,195,000. The original home was built in 1959. The home was totally renovated over a two year period and was completed in 2009.

The renovation included all new natural stone and hardwood floors (except where original Cuban Tile was retained). Each of the four en-suite baths plus guest bath feature marble, granite, or onyx and designer bath fixtures. Suntubes were introduced to provide natural lighting into many areas of the home. Custom made eight foot mahogany bi-fold doors were added to the new game room which opens out to the pool area. Mahogany doors and windows, iron gates, and custom lighting were added throughout the house. The result is a gracious Spanish style home with with 3488 sq feet of indoor living space that sits on a 10,600 square foot lot just one block from the Atlantic Ocean. The listing Realtor describes the property thus:

"This sprawling Mission-style home, located in the desirable Casa Marina Area, is walking distance to Louie's Back Yard, Dog Beach and upper Duval. Each bedroom suite has uniquely-styled bathrooms. The master suite has an adjoining sitting room and small office. The state-of-the-arts kitchen connects seamlessly with a butler's pantry and laundry room. In addition to a spacious living room and dining areas, there is a magnificent wing, slatted for billiards and entertainment, that overlooks the expansive salt-water pool. The grounds of the property feature specimen tropicals and Key West natives, including a prolific Mango. A spiral staircase leads to a roof top deck for sunning and observation. Simply put, a unique Casa Marina gem!"

There are several living areas including a formal living room, game room with vaulted ceiling, and a family room that is adjacent to the kitchen. The mahogany windows and doors in the living areas were custom made in Honduras and offer windstorm protection to to 155 mph.

Custom made mahogany windows and doors

The master bedroom suite is at the rear and includes a separate sitting room, office, bedroom and en-suite bath with sunken tub, shower, a regular closet and a cedar lined closet, and the necessities. The master suite is larger and much more plus than many condos near Old Town. A door opens from the master suite to a spa located just outside the door-the perfect spot for late night relaxation.

 Master Suite with sitting room

 One of the three guest bedrooms with en-suite bath

The house has a total of four bedrooms and five bathrooms. Each bedroom is large and unique in design. The bathrooms feature a variety of high bath fixtures, tiles, marble and other hard surface materials, and dramatic light fixtures.

The extra large and very sunny pool runs north and south and can be entered from the game room to the east, the family room to the west, or the master suite to the north. A spiral staircase provides access to the rooftop sundeck.

CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos of this wonderful Casa Marina home.

 Spa located off master suite

View from sundeck

 Vintage photo of Casa Marina Hotel

While they still may not putt on the grounds at the Casa Marina, the hotel is still an integral part of life in Key West. You can purchase a membership to the Casa Marina beach club and use the gym, spa, and beach as often as you want. I recently sold a home in the area to a doctor and his family who joined the club. They are delighted with the decision because it enhances the easy living lifestyle in the Casa Marina area.

If belonging to a club isn't your thing, nearby Higg's Beach is free. Doggie Beach and Louie's Backyard and the After Deck Bar one block away from 701 Washington Street. Salute` on the Beach is a much cheaper place to eat, and the views are always interesting. You can even walk over to Duval Street, it's just a couple of blocks to the west. Being able to go wherever you want whenever you want is priceless.

 Louie's Backyard and Doggie Beach

Higg's Beach

 Salute` on the Beach

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view lots of listing photos of this wonderful property. 701 Washington Street is offered at $2,495,000. If you would like to see this property please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Reality, Inc. I live in the Casa Marina area and know how easy living can be there. Take the time to find out for yourself.

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904 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

904 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed a large home in the Casa Marina area that will surely appeal to the buyer who wants elegant living on one level. This home has three bedrooms and baths, a den, chef's kitchen, breakfast room, covered and open outdoor living areas, a wonderful pool, a rooftop deck, plus a gated courtyard entry and a carport. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.


The listing Realtor describes 924 Washington Street as:

"Located in the heart of Casa Marina sits this magnificent one level, Mediterranean 3 Bedroom, 3 bath with a laundry room and den. As you enter you are greeted by a bright open living/dining area with French doors leading to a beautiful pool surrounded by tropical landscaping. The kitchen is definitely for cooking with Viking appliances and granite counter tops. Adjacent to the kitchen is a wonderful breakfast area. The master opens to the pool and has a state of the art bathroom with a 7 FT. walk-in shower. The other guest rooms have their own entrances and baths as well. The home is well appointed and has Brazilian flooring and crown molding throughout. Carport. Located just 4 blocks from Higgs Beach."

Everything in this home reflects the owners sense of style and easy living. From the crown molding at ceiling to the Brazilian cherry floors, the home is gracious without being pretentious. Paladin windows are featured above the multiple sets of French doors on the front and rear of the home. When you walk into the formal entry your eyes are immediately drawn through the elegant living room to the sunny pool area beyond.


The chef's kitchen features Viking appliances and custom cabinetry topped with granite countertops. A lovely breakfast room is located just off the kitchen. Sets of French doors open out to the pool or covered outdoor dining area from there.

The breakfast room

The master bedroom is located on the east side of the house. It, too, has French doors topped by paladin windows the look out to the pool. Imagine opening the door and jumping into the heated pool for a quick dip to end your day in Paradise. Two more bedrooms (with private baths) complete the sleeping areas. There is a den up front which has a view of the front courtyard. CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this property.

Master bedroom opens out to the pool

Guest bedroom has private bath and deck

The den and adjacent bedroom have views of front courtyard

Loyal Readers know I live in the Casa Marina area and love the location because it is near everything important in Key West, but it is also removed from the day to day hubbub that sometimes can get a bit overwhelming. The Casa Marina Resort and Higgs Beach are an easy five minute walk. You can join the Casa Marina club and use the beautiful health facilities and lounge by the hotel pool or the private beach and get waited on or you can go over to Higgs Beach and lay on the pier or the beach and tan for free. If your guests want to take you out for dinner, Louie's Backyard is five minutes at most. If you are going to treat your guests to light fare, Salute`on the Beach is just as close and much cheaper. At Salute` you can eat great pastas, burgers, and drink cold beverages while watching others play volleyball or view the sunset from the saner side of the island.

Take a left at the corner and walk four blocks to the beach

The Casa Marina area is convenient for picking up friends at the airport (about five to seven minutes on any day). I can normally be at my office in Old Town in about five minutes by car. The three shopping centers are normally a five to ten minute car ride except when town is extremely crowded. I can be off the island and headed toward the Key West golf course in about ten minutes or toward the mainland.

If you would like to view 904 Washington Street please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. I live in this neighborhood, and I would love to show you why it is a great place to live.

Easy Living in the Casa Marina Area

Vintage Photo of the Casa Marina Hotel

Most would-be second (or third or fourth) home buyers usually select the Old Town area of Key West as the target location for their potential new home. I understand the allure of the old houses, cute little lanes, and nearness to so many of the attractions that makes Key West such a wonderful place to visit (and live). The Casa Marina area of Key West offers a mixed variety of small, medium, and large homes plus a few estate type properties which share nearness to the ocean and perennial quietness as an extra bonus.

The Casa Marina area was developed a bit later than Old Town. Some of the houses are the traditional two story Grand Conch houses that we see in Old Town. But more are 1950's and 1960's vintage homes that have been updated and enlarged to meet the demands of today's lifestyle. Most of the homes in this area sit on lots much larger than you will find in Old Town. Many of the homes in the area sit back from the street in yards fenced for privacy.

701 Washington Street is protected from the street by lush vegetation

The home at 701 Washington Street is located two blocks north of the Casa Marina Hotel and just two blocks east of Duval Street. That location offers the best of both worlds because you can walk to the Casa or on Duval Street in about five minutes. But this house offers so much easy living that you may not find a need to go anywhere else. The listing broker describes the property this way:

"Lovely Spanish style home in the Casa Marina District was completely renovated in 2009 with the highest quality materials, including a new barrel tile roof with roof terrace. All floors are natural stone and hardwood, the baths have granite and onyx throughout and there are many suntubes which provide natural lighting. The family room doors are custom 8' Mahogany bifolds and open to the lovely pool area. With custom windows, doors and iron gates, there are too many details to mention here. This beautiful estate is a must see!"

Game room at the east end of the house overlooks the pool

701 Washington Street sits on a large 10,600 (l00'x106') lot at the corner of Vernon and Washington Streets. It offers 3488 sq ft of living space on one level. There are several living areas including a formal living room, game room with vaulted ceiling, and a family room that is adjacent to the kitchen. The windows and doors in the living areas were custom made in Honduras and offer windstorm protection to to 155 mph.

Custom made windows and doors

The master bedroom suite is at the rear and includes a separate sitting room, office, bedroom and en-suite bath with sunken tub, shower, and the necessities. The master suite is larger and much more plus than many condos near Old Town. A door opens from the master suite to a spa located just outside the door-the perfect spot for late night relaxation.

Game room on the left and family room to the right

The house has a total of four bedrooms and five bathrooms. Each bedroom is large and unique in design. The bathrooms feature a variety of high bath fixtures, tiles, marble and other hard surface materials, and dramatic light fixtures.

The extra large and very sunny pool runs north and south and can be entered from the game room to the east, the family room to the west, or the master suite to the north. A spiral staircase provides access to the rooftop sundeck. CLICK HERE to view photos I took of this property.

While they still may not putt on the grounds at the Casa Marina, the hotel is still an integral part of life in Key West. You can purchase a membership to the Casa Marina beach club and use the gym, spa, and beach as often as you want. I recently sold a home in the area to a doctor and his family who joined the club. They are delighted with the decision because it enhances the easy living lifestyle in the Casa Marina area.

If clubs aren't your thing, nearby Higg's Beach is free. Doggie Beach is one block from 701 Washington Street and Louie's Backyard and the After Deck Bar are located next to the beach. Salute` on the Beach is a much cheaper place to eat and the views are always interesting. Being able to go wherever you want whenever you want is priceless.

Louie's Backyard on the left and Doggie Beach on the right

Higg's Beach is free and very inviting

The pier off Higg's Beach

Salute` on the Beach

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view lots of listing photos of this wonderful property. 701 Washington Street is offered at $2,495,000. If you would like to see this property please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Reality, Inc. I live in the Casa Marina area and know how easy living can be there. Take the time to find out for yourself.