1316 Villa Mill Alley - Key West - Your Own Private Shangra-La

I often write about the charm of buying and owning a home on one of the slow lanes in Key West. Since most of the Old Town lanes are often sandwiched in between large blocks, the houses on the lanes are often cottages as opposed to larger homes. These homes are ofttimes located on smallish one-way streets that may only one or two blocks long. Some locals probably could not tell you where many of these little lanes are located because they are tucked away from view.  Such is the case for the new listing at 1316 Villa Mill Alley. Villa Mill Alley is located about one half block east of Simonton Street just south off United Street. This is a small enclave of very expensive homes with  location few people know exists situated just on the edge of the Casa Marina Area. 

I found an old aerial photo of the Casa Marina Area that was taken in 1930. I added an arrow to show where the original home was built several years ago. Upper Duval Street is located a block and a half to the west. The lot measures 110' X 80.26' or 9,775 sq ft. According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser shows the square footage of the property as 2200 sq ft. The property was just completely renovated and expanded. I think the property appears to be much larger because of the connective walkways between the buildings which make up this incredible Key West home.

There are two entrances to the home both of which are located on Villa Mill Alley and both of which are shown above. The formal entrance is located immediately to the left of the two story bedroom building centered above. The informal entrance is to the right side and adjacent to the double garage.

Instead of walking into the home, you enter a covered walkway that connects the living area on the north and the master and guest bedrooms on the south. No matter which location is your destination, your eyes are immediately diverted to the lush tropical gardens, koi pond, pagoda, and pool. Like I said, this is no Key West cottage.

The great room is designed for very relaxed and informal Key West living, but at the same time exudes a sense of dramatic style. You'll quickly notice architectural and building elements like the wide wood floors, the impact glass doors and windows, extra-wide horizontal wall boards, and vaulted ceiling. These elements are carried throughout the property. The glass doors retract and open out to the covered deck that looks out to the dramatic courtyard.

The third bedroom and bath (or as currently used den) is located just on the far side of the great room. It likewise has doors which open out to garden and the adjacent pagoda.

The master suite is located on the first floor of the bedroom pavilion. Imagine waking up in the morning looking out to the garden and hearing the babbling koi pond and viewing the tropical foliage. While the bath has all the latest in high end bath fixtures, you may be more likely to take your morning shower in the adjacent outdoor shower. A spiral staircase leads to the second floor guest bedroom.

The guest bedroom really is tucked away and located out of sight up the spiral staircase. There is a morning kitchen located just inside the entry so that guests won't have to go down the steps for coffee or cocktails unless they really feel the need to socialize. Otherwise, they can make cozy up in their own private luxury suite. The doors open out to a huge deck from which they can view the grounds and dream what it must be like to own such a wonderful retreat. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

1316 Villa Mill Alley is offered for sale at $3,495,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this one-of-a-kind Key West property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let's go take a look. Perhaps this could be your own private Shangra-La.

1529 Von Phister Street, Key West - One of the Prettiest Homes in all of Key West

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West 1529 Von Phister Street. This is the kind of place many people dream of owning someday. It is in my opinion one of the prettiest homes in all of Key West. This home is nestled behind a maze of tropical foliage and verdant grass on an ample lot just east of the Casa Marina Area. Double wrap-around verandas beckon passersby to stop and take notice of this elegant two story home with guest cottage. If you are a house hunter, this is a trophy house.

This home is not typical of the Grand Conch houses of Old Town because it is not one of them, but it is every bit a grand and glorious home. While some of the houses in Old Town have wrap around porches, I'll bet you few have as gracious interiors you are about to view. Once you enter the home your eyes are drawn through the public living spaces to the rear gardens and pool. Windows and multiple sets of French doors bring filtered light into the spaces while the gardens to the east keep the interior spaces private. Then you will notice the step landing to your left that leads to the second floor where the bedrooms are located. A guest bath is tucked away to the rear of the stairs. As you move through the living area you notice the heart pine floors that are so rich and assuring. You pause for a moment and look up. You note the high ceiling wrapped with crown molding all white and crisply painted. When you reach the dining area you realize this place, no matter how grand it is decorated, is still unpretentious. The dining is informal and set just off the kitchen. A set of adjacent French doors lead out to the covered veranda and the informal outdoor dining area. The informal living area is located at the rear. A built-in bookcase houses the TV and entertainment area and also provides lots of storage for gizmos of all sort. Doors at the far end slide open and lead out to the deck and pool. The guest cottage is located nearby.

The two story wrap-around veranda protects the house from both our bright sun and occasional pouring rain. The rear addition to the home has an awing just over the French doors that lead to the outdoor dining area. A similar awning protects the rear doors that open out to the pool area. When you first see the pool you think this is like some place you'd see in a movie - it's that pretty. And when you step up and enter into the new guest cottage you really do feel like you are in Hollywood instead of Key West. Well, maybe you do and maybe you don't. The present owner has created an homage to the greats of Tinsel Town. Imagine how you might transform this space into your own sanctum sanctorum.

The really nifty thing about having a guest cottage that is set apart from the main house is that guests can come and go and not interfere in your business when they are at your home. They can go to the beach which is about six blocks away or go to Duval or the seaport which is a five minute cab ride, or go to one of our three shopping centers to restock the pantry or to replenish your bar. (Fat chance either of the last two will happen.) And even if your guests stay longer than it takes for fish to go bad in the fridge, your guests will still remain your friends.

There are two large bedrooms, both with en-suite baths, and French doors that open out to the second floor wrap-around porch. The master bedroom was being painted the day I took photos so I can't share any pics of that elegant space. But if you contact me to see this home, I'll make sure we have enough time for you to sit on the swing and imagine how wonderful your life in Key West would be if you made this very special place your home.

CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of 1529 Von Phister Street. This home has 1776 sq ft of air conditioned living space that includes three bedrooms, three and one-half baths, covered and gated off street parking, a guest cottage and pool, and beautifully designed and maintained gardens. This home is offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for more details. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. This could be your home next Christmas. Wouldn't that be grand!