4 Gecko Lane, Key West - Just Listed

 

4 Gecko Lane is one of my all time favorite properties in Key West. I think I saw it the very first time in 2003 soon after it was listed for sale. It was at that time a one-of-a-kind property where two houses were made into one. A few other people copied the concept but the original remains the best. The property even appeared in Vanity Fair Magazine in the mid 1980s just after the initial renovations were being completed. Let's look at some photos to see why this home is so special.

Gecko Lane is one of those Slow Lanes of Key West that I muse about. The lane is located on the north side of Eaton Street between Margaret and William Streets. If you blink while riding your bike or car, you will miss it. That is why locations like this are so sought after. They are hidden gems. Upon arrival at the front gate you enter a courtyard of what looks like three buildings separated by a large pool. As you move inward you see beautiful wood decks frame the pool as a piece of art. The gazebo at the side "connects" the master bedroom cottage with the main house.

At first look you may think the property is rather confined. But you would be mistaken. The lot is actually quite large - 6,312 square feet. The lot is an irregular rectangle that measures 161' X 45'. There is a huge yard at the rear for parking access off Roberts Lane. And there are several garden areas, patio, and outdoor shower. It's not so small after all.

Once you step inside the main living area you will be awed by the simplicity of design. Dade County Pine is framed by crisp white trim, baseboards, and crown molding. One of the two guest bedrooms is located just off the living area which has an adjacent bath. 

A second guest bedroom is located on the second level. I find these spaces just special for brothers-in-law. I think grandchildren would love this space. Kids dig privacy and unique spaces.

There is lovely patio opposite the kitchen with a portion of the garden in view just beyond. Tropical foliage envelopes the entire lot.

Even though the master bedroom has a cathedral ceiling, the area is quite cozy and romantic. Imagine opening the door for a late night dip before going to bed. The master bath has two sinks, lots of storage, a marble bath, and separate WC. If you are like me, you will prefer the outdoor shower. There is nothing like showering under swaying palms or starry nights - especially when people up north are freezing in the cold of winter.

I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to try to determine when the cottages were built. The county tax records suggest the houses were built in 1925. But the 1912 Sanborn Fire Map shows both cottages existed as of that date. The lane was little more than a walkway and was not given a name of record. I added arrows to show Roberts Lane which now has an electric gate leading that opens into the rear undeveloped lot at 4 Gecko Lane where the current owners parks the car. Roberts Lane exists onto Caroline Street. The Key West Seaport begins there. Duval Street is a five minute walk from Caroline or Eaton Street. Nothing is far away. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and lots of photos of 4 Gecko Lane, Key West offered for sale at $1,749,000. Make sure to read the listing details as this house has been significantly updated. 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.

826 Johnson Lane, Key West - Newly Listed

Just Listed but not by me 826 Johnson Lane, Key West. I got to see this freshly renovated Old Town home yesterday afternoon. I remember showing the property several years ago when it was marketed as a fixer-upper. Well now it's fixed! 

I dug into my old shoebox and found the black and white photo above. It was taken in 1965. Sadly the property is not located anywhere near the water and no the boat did not float to the property in a storm. I also checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when this house was built. The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows it was constructed in 1938 during the Depression. We know that is incorrect. I learn (and often forget) so much about Key West houses when I search the maps. The 1889 map did not show this area but we know houses were here because St. Mary's Cathedral is located just a block to the south and some of the Grand Dame houses on Division Street (now Truman Avenue) are located on the much larger and grander lots immediately to the south. 

Johnson Lane only runs one block between Windsor Lane to the west and Packer Street to the east. The 1899 map shows a bunch of many smaller cottages on an unidentified lane running perpendicular to Johnson Lane (then called Jane Street). That entire group of cottages were gone by the 1899 map when 826 Johnson Lane appeared. All but one of those cottages has been renovated. Some vacant lots were built upon and one larger than should-be house was built a few years ago. I don't know how that happened. Two little cottages two doors away were also recently renovated and are now part of a monthly vacation rental program. They are shown below.

 

826 Johnson Lane sits on a 2,9000 Sq Ft lot that measures 116' X 25'. The house sits about 20 feet from the set back giving this home two off street parking spaces. The current owner relocated the entry to the right rear and reconfigured the entire interior of the house. All of the piers were replaced as were all the mechanical features. There is a new metal roof, impact windows and doors, and a fire suppression system. The original wood siding has been replaced with new Novelty siding which is historically correct for the area. Let's look inside starting from the living area.

All of the interior photos are virtually staged. But the shots themselves are the actual rooms. The French doors open out to the main (side) entry where there is room for a pool. There is one large tree and an existing fish pond that need to go. The listing Realtor told me the owner decided to let the new owner decide if he,she,they,them want a pool or not.

There are two bedrooms on the first floor. The master bedroom with en-suite is located midway in the house just past the kitchen.  

The original "front" room in the house is now the guest bedroom. This is a smart reconfiguration of space many renovators use. Unlike the two adorable houses shown above, this house does not presently have a front porch. That is part of th e reason this house has parking for two cars. I don't know if HARC would permit a new owner to add a porch as that would change the historic view of the property. But it would add to the charm and give the front guest bedroom a pretty view of the house across the lane. I wrote about it years ago. It is one one of the most unique homes in Old Town. 

 A full bath plus laundry area is located just past this bedroom. Note the cherry floors, high baseboards, and crispy white trim in each of the rooms. The windows are impact glass. The roof is new metal and the house is tied to the ground. A new owner will get a 30% discount on wind insurance. The house is located in the X Flood Zone where floor insurance is not required for a mortgage.

There's more! There is a second level loft bedroom not included in the square footage shown in the MLS as access is by a ladder located off the second bathroom. This is not a space for your mother-in-law but would be perfect for your brother-in-law (as long as he is not always drunk otherwise forget that). Kids would love this space. It stretches from front to rear. It is legal space. It does benefit from the fire suppression system.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and video of 826 Johnson Lane, Key West Florida offered for sale at $1,375,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

 

421 William Street, Key West - Prime Property

I played "buyer" today and checked out the listing at 421 William Street in the Old Town area of Key West. Before we go inside, let's look at the way the house appeared in 1965 and compare basically the same view as it looks today.

A couple things are obvious: wrap around balconies were added on the first and second floor levels; a staircase was added to access the third floor space for one's brother-in-law; the concrete fence was removed and replaced by white picket fence and a gated off street parking space. Louvered windows and doors were replaced by wind resistant impact glass as well as decorative shutters. When you examine the house up close you will be impressed by the high quality paint job and attention to detail. That attention to detail carries out throughout the entire house - outside and inside.

I was awed by this house as soon as I crossed the threshold. You will be too. Depending on the Realtor you talk to, this style of house may be called a Conch House, a Grand Conch, a Temple Revival, and as the listing agent correctly calls it a Grand Dame. All are correct. I have been inside many house like this. This is one of the best examples of this style of architecture. It is in perfect condition. I suspect the front room may have been a parlor but I doubt the opening was as grand as it is now nor that there was an opening into the adjacent dining room. Many of the larger homes had crown molding, large baseboards and fancy trim. These design elements are superior to most I have seen. The dining room and front room each have incredible chandeliers. I am not  sure they are original to the house, but that does not matter. All of the floors on both levels have been replaced with Brazilian cherry wood flooring.

The new flooring is evident as we move to the rear of the house where the great room (kitchen, informal dining, and family living area) are located. A two story addition was added to the rear of the original house. All of the design elements in the original front were added in the rear. The continuity of design and high quality materials is consistent. Look closely: did you spot the hidden refrigerator and freezer and island style dining space? French doors open to the side and rear where the pool is located. Notice the balcony off the second floor rear master suite.

I am not tall. But a lot of my male buyers are. Most of them cannot fit into a Cigar Maker Cottage. Those houses have small ceilings and small rooms. This house has tall ceilings on both levels. The ceiling in the master suite has to be 20 feet or taller. It soars. There is a huge master bath with tub, shower, sink, and other necessities. It is however the the French doors that appealed to me. The doors were shut when I viewed. It is in the 90s today. The AC was working fine. The room was cool. I looked to the east and snapped an iphone pic looking to the far right window. Forever views like below. Views are terribly important to me. They should be to you.

There are two guest bedrooms on the second level. Both have private baths and new closets. Closets are new to old houses like these. I guess people from two centuries prior did not have need for as many changes of clothing as we do. Although real Conchs and people who have lived here for a quarter century like me find that a couple of pairs of shorts and tee shirts are sufficient. If you can afford this house, you will probably have a tux or an evening gown and high heels (sex not dependent on either). There are adequate closets in both bedrooms. I checked.

The second floor front bedroom has two sets of petite French doors which open out to the front porch. The doors are original. The glass was re-glazed. Rubber insulation was placed around the frame to keep the cool in and the weather out. That is attention to detail you might not notice. I did. AC was added throughout the house. All of the Dade County Pine walls and ceilings were sanded, filled, and re-sealed. These walls were originally used in our old homes because the high resin helped deter damage from out flying termites. Today we rely on periodic est control The beauty of these walls is forever. 

The wrap-around porches are such an improvement to this already impressive house. There is a door at the second floor rear that provides quick access to the second floor guest apartment. If I owned the house, I would rent it. Probably for $1,800 per month. Easy.That would pay part of your taxes and or insurance. Ot it's a place to keep your teenage boy or brother in law. Both are better kept apart.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos  of 421 William Street offered for sale at $2,800,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2542, to schedule a private showing of this home with a PRIME LOCATION NEAR EVERYTHING. There are lots photos. Let me fill in the details and take you on a tour of the house and the area. You will fall in love with both. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.