724 Windsor Lane, Key West - Just Listed

JUST LISTED - 724 Windsor Lane, Key West located in the heart of Old Town at the "intersection" (smirk) of Windsor and Galveston Lanes across the street from the Historic Key West Writer's Compound and near the top of Solaris Hill. Duval Street is a short stroll to the west and the historic seaport is three long blocks to the north.

The Sanborn Fire Map above is dated 1892. I placed a check to show 724 Windsor Lane's location. This is necessary as the Monroe County Property Appraiser website incorrectly states this house was built in 1972. The map also shows the SEIDENBERG & CO. Cigar Factory was previously located across the street where the Writer's Compound now sits. Imagine sitting on your front porch nestled among the historic old cottages and houses most of which have been restored that lure people from around the world to our island home.

This one bedroom / one bath gem has been updated with new wood floors in the living areas and tile in the bathroom. The kitchen area has a vaulted ceiling with 120 Sq Ft of space for possible expansion. The back door opens out to an enclosed private deck. The washer and dryer are located in a laundry closet at the far side of the deck.

The back deck has new TREX decking. The gate opens out to the off street parking space. This home may not be huge, but having a parking space is a big deal. CLICK HERE to view more photos..

I found an utterly charming article entitled Key West Dialogue published in the NEW YORK TIMES March 18, 1984 by A.B. Beattie. CLICK HERE to read - it's worth reading. Locals and long time returning visitors to Key West will appreciate the first paragraph:

"Key West looks like a lurid postcard. The colors are very intense, and almost everywhere you look there is something scenic. I mean, you can go around Key West taking pictures in your head, because almost everything is perfect. You can't miss there. If there's a crack in the sidewalk, there's hibiscus growing in it. If you see an ugly empty lot, there's always the weird juxtaposition - a mansion directly adjoining it. There's really no harmony. If there's harmony there, it's in the air, it's not really in the way things physically relate to each other."

That was written thirty-six years ago. I don't think it's all that lurid anymore. Most of the cracked sidewalks have been repaved. Some parts are downright gentrified like the property I sold at 744 Windsor Lane earlier this year - sales price $4,700,000. These two properties are totally different. One small and the other very large. They exist in the same space. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 724 Windsor Lane, Key West at $699,000. I am the listing Realtor on this property. Call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to arrange a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

912 Fleming Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, 912 Fleming Street, Key West. Located on Millionaire's Row, this home checks all the boxes for the buyer who wants it all: historic architectural style, prime Old Town location, stunning pool and gardens, guest apartment, and covered off-street parking.

The living area of this incredible 3,228 square foot home is oriented toward the rear where Key West architect Matthew Stratton added a waterfall to the re-constructed thirty foot heated pool and spa. The bricked terrace provides lots of space for sunning amid exotic tropical foliage. There is an additional 1,017 square feet of covered decks and porches. (The lot measures 50 feet X 113 feet or 5,650 square feet.)

Doors in the living room open to the thirty-six foot covered loggia for sophisticated outdoor living.  There is plenty of space for sitting, dining, and grilling, all covered and protected from the sun.

Another set of glass doors open from the large eat-in kitchen to the loggia. The bright kitchen includes stainless steel appliances (including a wine cooler), granite counter-tops and large pantry. There is no shortage of counter space or storage here! The powder room just off the foyer.

The master bedroom and bath overlook the pool and gardens below. The ceiling in the master bedroom is vaulted. There is an owner's lockout closet.  There are two guest bedrooms which share another bathroom.

This home has a two bedroom guest apartment with butler's kitchen and full bath. Doors open out to the second floor covered front porch which provides prime viewing for the People's Parade on the first Friday of Fantasy Fest. The rest of the year it is just the perfect perch to sit and watch the world go by. You'll note the pediments and architectural trim that sets this house off from the rest. CLICK HERE to view more photos of the house and aerial photos of the surrounding area. Click any photo to enlarge.

None of nearby homes have a view of the pool and there are not any offending trees to steal your sun time. The views you see today ought to be the views of the future. 912 Fleming Street first appeared in the 1892 Sanborn Fire Map.  A former neighboring property was identified on the 1892 map as a Chinese laundry. That same lot with new house and attendant buildings and pool sold earlier this year for five million dollars.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet for 912 Fleming Street offered for sale at $2,750,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, listing agent, to schedule a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

906 Southard Street, Key West - Award Winning Eyebrow House

 

The 2009 Old Island Restoration Foundation award winning home at 906 Southard Street is a classic example of an architectural style unique to Key West referred to as "eyebrow house". A plaque at the front entrance explains the origins of the architectural name, albeit eyebrows don't really protect one's eyes - it's the eyelashes that do that. But we get the point. 

Compare the above photo taken in 1965 to the color photo at the top of this page. You will notice many significant changes including new windows with shutters, new front door, and the addition of a gated covered parking structure - that is unheard of in Old Town. The house was extensively renovated and expanded in 2008-2009. Today the house has 2188 sq ft of living space divided between the two floors and rear additions. The home has three bedrooms, three baths, a large kitchen and family room with multiple doors which open out to the covered rear porch, pool, and garden.

You enter this home through a formal entryway which alternatively leads to the primary living areas to the right and rear or, alternatively, to the first floor study with adjacent bath, which is currently used as a study. Beautiful wood floors are set off by the wood trim and crown moldings painted crisp white. The kitchen will delight the cook in the family - it has two refrigerators, wine coolers, Viking Range, and Carrera marble counter-tops. There is a small informal dining space just off the kitchen. An owner who may want a dedicated dining area could use the family room at the rear of the kitchen (last photo above).

The study could be used as a third bedroom. It works just fine for the current owner. The bathroom has a second door which opens into the living area for guest usage.  Note the custom built cabinets which are also featured in other parts of the house. There is attention to detail everywhere.

Both second floor bedrooms have large private en-suite marble baths. This place just rocks!  It's formal, but not stuffy - elegant, but not prissy.

The 2008-2009 renovation and expansion included the kitchen and family room additions plus wrap around rear porch and pool. A new owner will find the covered porch a perfect alternative to stuffy indoor dining, especially on our mild winter nights when folks up north are stoking their fires and fumbling with thermostats trying to warm up their houses.

 

I recalled having taken a photo of this home several years ago. It seemed like it took me forever to sort through my old shoebox before I found the 2010 photo of the dogs standing sentry on the front steps. At Christmas the current owner dresses them up to charm passersby.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to arrange a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. I have sold several eyebrow houses in Key West. Let me open your eyes to the possibility of owning of of the prettiest of the eyebrow homes in our little town.