Un-Real Real Estate in Key West

I have written  about Ronny Bailey before. He is a former Key West builder who turned in his "trade" to become a folk artist extraordinaire.  In stead of building big houses, he now creates paintings and small art installations that depict real Key West cottages, homes, and commercial businesses.

Some of Ronny's current works will be on display at the Key West Craft Show this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) on Whitehead Street between the hours of 10:00 to 5:00.  If you are in Key West you really need to stop by and take a look at his work. He puts so much love into each piece. You can tell that by looking at the pieces he has created. His art preserves a part of Key West that cannot be re-done with marble or stainless steel nor Hardiboard siding. Every piece that Ronny makes is fashioned out of wood - even the "metal roofs" and red fire engine are made of wood.

I had the  opportunity to photograph two of his pieces on Friday morning. As I was taking photos people that were walking by stopped to take a look (or photograph)  and marvel at what this man has created.  Those of us who love Key West's great architecture hold Ronny to be a treasure in his own right. The two pieces shown are the Historic Key West Fire Station #3 located at the corners of Virginia and Grinnell Streets and the Old Town Bakery (the former Salgado Brother's Grocery) at 930 Eaton Street. Take a peek and then go take a look at the real thing at the craft show. Tell Ronny you read about this on my blog. He gets a kick out that. And so do I.

By the way the actual Old Town Bakery has the best home made pastries in town. I am on a perpetual living diet so I can't eat the great goodies they make there. (Well, I did cheat a couple of times.)  Stop by some morning and buy a couple of pastries and coffee. It's a treat. CLICK HERE to view 930 Eaton Street .  Click the link - I'm proud of these pics.

 
The second floor sleeping quarters photos did not come out the way I had hoped. That floor has similar detail as the main level and facade. The names of old Key West fire fighters like Chief Bum Farto, Bethel, Gates and others line the wall. Theses are the surnames of current Key West residents. After you have lived in Key West a while you begin to sincerely appreciate the heritage Conchs and freshwater Conchs (like me) have for the families who have lived on our little island for decades. CLICK HERE to view the FIRE STATION. Click the link - I'm proud of these pics.

Viewing old buildings through the perspective of Ronny Bailey's eyes gives the viewer a real sense of appreciation for the un-real real estate the artist sees. On each piece he creates you will see three simple words:  Joy, Love, and Peace. And I guarantee you will see lots of whimsy as well!  Instead of buying a lot of tee shirts or hot sauce, buy a painting, a lithograph, or even an art installation like Old Town Bakery or Fire Station #3.  And then call me to buy a house.

321 Grinnell Street - Old Town - Key West

321 Grinnell Street as seen in 1965

321 Grinnell Street as seen in 2011

Just listed, but not by me, 321 Grinnell Street in Old Town Key West. You probably have driven past this house if you are a frequent visitor to Key West. It's neighbor to the south is one of the most photographed houses in Key West. And its neighbor to across the street is Finneagan's Wake.

The former Cuban Counsel lived next door to the south (above)

The listing Realtor describes the new listing this way:

"This wonderful Conch home is situated on a corner lot in old town close to the waterfront. Many recent updates include an open gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, two gas stoves, two sinks and granite counter tops. This spacious house was built with Dade county pine plus a concrete addition and consists of two bedrooms and 2 baths downstairs and 2 bedrooms upstairs. There is an extra bath and indoor hot tub. The off street parking could be converted into yard space. From here you can just walk or bike all around downtown Key West."

321 Grinnell Street is a 2523 sq ft house that sits on a 3230 sq ft lot. The house as configured has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. The Monroe County Property Appraiser says the house was built in the 1920's. The black and white photo above shows the house as it appeared in 1965. The coral rock foundation has been replaced with concrete and the old Bahamian shutters are gone. The asking price on this property is $799,000 or $317 per sq ft.
CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database on this property.

Off street parking

Two of my very favorite places in Key West are nearby. The Old Town Bakery is a 30 second walk (except if you have to wait for the light). You could get very fat from living that close to something so wonderful. And Harpoon Harry's is only a two block walk. They have some of the best, non-pretentious food in Key West. If you have a boat, the Conch Harbor Marina is located across from Harpoon Harry's. So are lots of other great restaurants and bars including the Schooner Wharf Bar.

If you would like to see this listing or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am buyer's agent and a full Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

1014 Elgin Lane - Key West Old Town Charmer !

Great Room at the rear with double French Doors leading to pool

The second floor bedroom at 1014 Elgin Lane

Just listed, but not by me, is the really charming two bedroom cottage at 1014 Elgin Lane MAP in the Old Town section of Key West. Elgin Lane is a one-way lane that runs westerly from White Street and ends at Grinnell Street.

The listing Realtor describes this beauty this way:

"Darling 1 & 1/2 story Key West cottage with small dip pool on quiet Old Town lane near Key West Historic Seaport area. Nicely maintained with charming details including a nice open kitchen/living area with vaulted ceilings and double french doors overlooking cozy backyard setting beneath a canopy of mature trees. Surrounded by a white picket fence with off street parking finished in brick for one car. This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval."

The first floor bedroom is located up front to the right and the Great Room is at the rear

The 960 sq ft cottage is laid out most efficiently. There is a formal entry with the first floor bedroom and bath located at front behind pocket doors. The Dade County Pine walls and crisp clean white trim punctuate each room in the house. The cheerful entry leads to the rear great room which houses the living, dining, and kitchen areas in one large room with French doors that open out onto the small pool in the rear. Upstairs you will find an equally charming second bedroom and a separate bath. The rear yard has a dip pool. The asking price on this short sale property is $675,000. CLICK HERE to see the mls listing details and to view more listing photos. If you follow me on TWITTER you can see more photos I took of this charming cottage house located on one of the lovely slow lanes in Key West.

The Historic Key West Seaport is located about 5 to 7 minute walk to the north and west. Duval Street is a 7 to 10 minute walk. Strunk Ace Hardware is a block away. (There is a little Tim The Tool Man Taylor in every guy I know.) The Restaurant Store is next door where you can channel your Inner Bobby Flay. Cole'z Peace Bakery is next door to the east where you can buy Artisan (code: expensive homemade) bread that tastes really great. And the uber-new Old Town Bakery is one block west. Azur Restaurant is around the corner 1/2 block from Elgin Lane at the corner of Fleming and Grinnell. (They have daily lunch specials that locals love.) But everything is within an easy walking distance.

The nice thing about this house is that nothing needs fixed. It is in "move-in" condition. Bring your tooth brush, some fresh shorts and tee shirts, and get ready to live your life your way in Key West.

I think this is a heck of a buy. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Proprieties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. Our office is the Lower Florida Keys exclusive affiliate of Christie's Great Estates.

---