714 Passover Lane, Key West

 

Buyers looking for a fixer property with big time renovation potential should take a look 714 Passover Lane. This architecturally interesting three story home is located on an irregular 6,547 sq ft lot opposite the Key West cemetery. Don't let scare you - they can't get out. 

I dug into my old shoe box and found two photos that show the house in 1965 and later in 1973 just as Key West was being re-discovered by a generation of poets, authors, and artists of all types.  A later owner added wrap-around porches to three sides of the house and did some inexpensive fix-ups to the interior. The porches and wood spiral staircase were very well designed and constructed. But in my opinion have no real purpose other than providing access to the third level and sundeck. The fix-ups were common to the day, but not up to par with what we expect fifty years later.

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The 1965 photo shows the sagging front porch and missing slats on the east facing side. The house faces northwest toward Passover Lane which is a walking lane. 

Passover Lane remains one of the few walking lanes in Key West. It is not wide enough for a car. There are four houses on this lane each of which has been updated and improved over the years including 714 Passover now has novelty siding and wrap-around porches on the first and second floors and a roof-top deck on the third level.

The stand alone cottage is located near the front of the lot. It is a non-contributing structure. I spoke with a real estate attorney who opined the cottage could be taken down or perhaps relocated on the lot giving a new owner more options. He also offered that most of the trees could be taken down. A new owner would need to plant new trees or pay a fee to the city for tree planting in other parts of the city. That can be worked out as part of the development plan for the property.

The wrap-around porches make the house look important. The original house has temple design seen on the stylish blocks of Old Town. It is not all that large nor stylish. The first floor is on the small side and the ceilings are low. There is a narrow stairway to the second floor but no internal stairs to the third floor which is actually the attic which was converted into living space. My first thought was to raise the house up, build a new pier foundation, add an additional one foot in space to the ceiling on first and second floor, and eliminate the living space in the attic. I would seriously consider removing the wrap-around porches to showcase the temple style to its fullest. But that is just a thought.

This house at 828 Elizabeth Street is an example of a renovation where a spacer was adding between the first and second floors which increased the interior height.  This has been done on several houses in the historic district. It makes old houses more livable.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 714 Passover Lane and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. This is an incredible buying opportunity for someone with vision and some cash to create a truly amazing Old Town property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

802 Southard Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed but not by me 802 Southard Street, Key West. I saw this on a late June afternoon in 2018 - the day it was first listed for sale after having been used as multiple apartments The property sits in the heart of Old Town. I arrived at the appointed time and was advised the house was already under contract. I recall a couple of other agents being there as well. I think we all stomped our feet in disappointment. I still took my look around to preserve what my buyer could not get.  Now almost two and a half years later this house has been thoroughly renovated and is now offered for sale "turnkey". Look carefully at all that you see, because all that you see is included in the purchase price

I literally stood in the living room studying the space for five minutes or longer. I was amazed at the transformation that took place. I recall there were several small rooms on the first floor. The front door opened into a dark hallway with stairs rising to the south. Now the first front part of the first floor is an open living plan. And then I started took at how elegantly the furniture, fixtures, and art melded with the "soft" new hard interiors. By that I mean the hard spaces appear gentle. The natural wood appears throughout the house, but does dominate the place like so many renovations and restorations. The wood floors and walls, created a continuous canvas upon which the designer created the perfect move-in-ready-home. 

The Realtor opened the twin Lazy Susan Cabinets at either end of the kitchen. Each was filled with pots, and cooking implements of all types. I asked if the owner had moved or if the house had been rented or would be rented until it sells. Oh, no. The house has never been used and is offered turnkey so that everything is perfect for the new owner. Imagine that, not having to hire a designer or bring one down form up north to only draw things out and plan and move and spend more money. It's that a shame!

The hallway from the living room leads to the south side of the house where the first floor master bedroom and bath are located. (There is a guest bath in the hall.) I posted a "before" photo of the exterior so you can see how clever the designer was is borrowing the cottage on the right and making it a part of the new master suite. I didn't appreciate the taking until I entered the space, gawked at the view, and reenacted to the height of the vaulted ceiling and wondered "How'd they do that?"

The master bath is located on the east side of the main floor rear. Windows provide daytime light and muted views of this ever-changing old fishing village. I have become both an avid and reluctant follower of many designers and manufacturers who post Instagram photos of new kitchen and bath installations. I see a sameness in so many of these photos. It makes me wonder if white will become the new Avocado or Harvest Gold, Coppertone. Probably not, but it id does there will be a lot of remodels i the next 40 years replacing the whites. But probably not here where the white allows the furniture and fixtures become the focus of attention. 

I went up the new stairs and paused again. Remember the original staircase started near the front door had rose up from there. The new staircase is relocate to the south wall that intersects with the cottage next door where the master suite is located at ground level. The stairs  end arrive at a new second floor landing that provides access to the rear bedroom and private bath and the front bedroom both of which have access to the wrap-around second floor porch. 

The front bedroom is entered off the second floor hall into a vestibule around which the large bed chamber emerges. French doors open out to the covered porch which has a view of the dip pool below. No diving. 

Your guests will have sunset views from the comfort and quietness of the covered porch and the convenience of your beverages all during their stay.

The guest cottage is a self-contained one bedroom single family home with full bath and bedroom and bathroom. Take my word on it. Read the detailed description of the property in the MLS Listing CLICK HERE. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Plan on spending an hour. You want to sit in every chair and lay on each bed to savor the comfort that makes this place truly turnkey. It will know your socks off! 802 Southard Street could be your home this Christmas!