527 Margaret Street, Key West - New Lower Price!

This is not a Hah! Hah! moment for the Sellers, who I have met and really like, but it is a buying opportunity for a Buyer who wants to buy a quality home at a really great price.  I wrote about 527 Margaret Street, Key West soon after it was listed for sale. I really thought it would sell in a matter of days because it has almost every feature most buyers are looking for in Old Town except a third bedroom or parking. Let me share with you what it does have and why I think this property is such a great value. 

First, the listing Realtor's description:

"Stunning and Stylish Renovation in this Historic Home, Ideally Located on 500 block of Margaret St, walking distance to so many attractions, Restaurants and Galleries. Remodeled in 2015, the home underwent a complete Foundation to Roof Renovation and received the Historic Florida Keys Preservation Award in 2016. Features include Soaring Exposed Beam Ceilings, White Oak Wood Floors, Top End Appliances, A wall of glass leading to pool and Deck. Beautifully finished bedrooms and baths, with 2 bedrooms and additional loft. Being Sold Turn Key!"

I wrote about this property years ago when it was a multi-family house with numerous gawd-awful additions. Later I wrote about it while under renovation in my Projects of Key West continuum.  Then I wrote about the house when it was completed. Now it is available for re-sale. The original house was taken to the ground and totally rebuilt save enough boards to fit within a thin definition of a renovation. The end result is a beautiful home located in a great Old Town location near all the places primary and second home owners seek. It is located just four blocks from world famous Duval Street and only four blocks to the Historic Seaport. One of Key West's finest steak houses in located across the street and dozens of small joints and fine dining restaurants are within easy walking distance. While what you see from the street is picture perfect, it's the interior that will really grab your attention. As you look more closely, you'll appreciate the quality new construction and the cost saving benefits owning a home like this offers tear after year.

When you look at the house from the street you would probably expect the interiors to be compact and tight because the house simply looks like a quaint one story home with a cute little front porch. But you would be wrong. Very wrong. Oh, it is just a one story house, but once you open the door and pass through the formal entry hall you'll see a wall of glass which soars to the vaulted ceiling immediately refuting any pre-conceptions about this home being small.

The first thing I saw was the canopy of the old banyan tree at the rear. The blue sky seemed to blend with the subtle and not-so-subtle blue tones interspersed throughout the house.  The wood ceiling and white washed wood floors add a natural color perspective to this living space. There is a guest bath located off the center hall adjacent to the adult beverage center with color co-ordinated booze. The laundry area is opposite. Dale Trice designed the interiors and created the media and display wall with storage below. Giant shells and white objets d'art fill that space and throughout the house. The setting is like something out of Coastal Living Magazine or Architectural Digest. Maybe it should be!

The master and guest bedroom (with loft) are located at the front of the house. Both have en-suite baths.The master suite is stunning-almost regal. The guest bedroom is quite understated by comparison. The loft space will be a favorite of the grand kids. I don't know if kids still play "fort" like I did when I was a child. This space would make a perfect fort, of that I am sure. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos.  527 Margaret Street is offered turn key at $1,499,000. 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.

1501 Pine Street, Key West - Price Reduction

The asking price on 1501 Pine Street, Key West, was just reduced to $1,149,000 making this Meadows of Key West homes one of the very best values in town. This stunning home is part of The Meadows condo association. Newly built in 2007 with top of the line materials and craftsmanship, this home features soaring 11' ceilings in the living area. The kitchen is top of the line with stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets, plus a wet bar in the living room. The bedrooms are en suite with impressive architectural details including crown molding, high ceilings, porches and solid wood doors. A private, gated drive leads to the carport and a separate entry to the pool area. Completely fenced and beautifully landscaped, this home is located on a corner lot.

 This home has 1609 sq feet of interior living space plus two covered porches on the front. Speaking of porches, these are great places to watch the world go by. Notice the Hardiboard siding, pediments above the windows, and the solid wood doors that are hurricane impact rated as are all the windows and doors in this home. These features will reduce homeowners and wind insurance rates for years into the future.

This home has a formal entry which leads into the living area. Travertine marble is used throughout the main floor where there is a guest bath off the wet bar. Note the media cove in the living room. Dual sliding doors open out to the private heated pool with water feature. Don't miss the spa as well. The corner location means this pool will eternal sunshine most of the year as there are no plantings on the property and the rear is the private alley to all owner carports.

The kitchen has top of the line stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets. A two story turret is an adjunct to the kitchen and is configured as a home office. There are lots of windows in the kitchen so your cooking will not be a chore but a dream.

The second floor is divided into two separate sections. The master suite takes up the foot print of the entire house. The guest suite is located over the carport at the rear. On this level you will find rich wood floors and custom tiles in the bedrooms and custom tiles in the baths. The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and sitting alcove located in the turret area. Big men who have difficulty with finding room for king size beds will love this space. They won't have to duck for cover anywhere.  The bath is extra large and is the rival of what expects in any fine home. There is a spa tub, shower, dual sinks and lots of mirrors and glass. The WC is located adjacent to two rows of lighted closets. The front door opens out to the second level covered porch equally outfitted to the main level.

The guest bedroom and bath are equally grand in spatial layout and amenities provided. The coffered and vaulted ceiling is a delight in design and spatial feeling. The bath, though not as large as the master, is appointed with the same quality cabinetry, tiles, fixtures and lighting.

The home at 1501 Pine Street is part of The Meadows Condominium Association which is comprised of eight homes. Each home is located on a fee simple lot. The association exists to provide access to rear carport parking via gated driveway and management of storm water runoff. Each homeowner pays his or her individual property insurance and maintenance expenses.
 This home is located in the Meadows area of Key West. Bayview Park (two blocks to the south) has an old fashioned bandstand, public tennis courts, basketball courts, and lots of green space for community events. The White Street arts district is a five minute walk to the west. The Garrison Bight Marina is located one block away to the east. Duval Street and the Historic Seaport are each a five minute bike ride. The three large shopping centers (large by Key West standards) are five minutes by car. The Key West International Airport is five to seven minutes depending on traffic.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. If you are interested in seeing 1501 Pine Street in person or want more information, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties (listing brokerage) for this property.

713 Eaton Street, Key West - Price Reduced

The asking price on 713 Eaton Street in Old Town Key West was just reduced to $1,300,000. This truly is an historic home based not only on its historic construction also on its renovation by the iconic designer Angelo Donghia who personally resided here at the beginning of the Key West cultural and housing renaissance.   The listing broker describes this home as follow

"The house is a simple one story six room Conch house which was owned and renovated by Angelo Donghia,  I did not see the house before it was renovated, but I have seen so many old homes that I am pretty sure the original house was constructed the same as others which would have included beaver board like panels applied over the original Dade County Pine walls. This material looks similar to a dense cardboard which could be painted. Beaverboard is flexible and can move a bit during a wind storm without cracking like plaster. I believe that Donghia removed the beaverboard to expose the Dade Count Pine walls and ceiling and added a clear coat of polyurethane which gives the current day walls and ceiling a grayish patina. The wood floors have the look of a well worn shoe - comfortable. The last thing one should do is refinish the floors: they are wonderful. They are like the walls, a canvas upon which to create art. In this instance, add a great rug."

 Upon his death in 1985 The New York Times referred to Angelo Donghia as one of America's most influential designers and distinguished two of his personal homes writing "a much-publicized Manhattan town house and a turn-of-the century Victorian house in Key West, Fla. The town house espoused a sophisticated, formal look; the Key West house had a more casual point of view that highlighted renovation and preservation." That home sits today the same way as when he sold it in 1980. It has not been touched. Buyers seeking an historic home may want to consider this property.

The front door opens into the living room and dining area on the right side. This is a big impressive space. Extra large crown molding and baseboards frame this space. The custom milled white trim sets off the windows and door.

This home which first appeared in the 1889 Sanborn Fire Map. At that time a small grocery store was partially located in the right front yard and extended out into where the sidewalk is today. That appendage appeared in each successive map until 1912.

When you enter the kitchen the same wood is employed. But the room is decidedly different. The room is even thous visible from inside the more "formal" living room is less formal by purpose and also by design. There is no crown molding or baseboard. The pine cabinets are the same pine on the walls which are aligned of the same plain. The kitchen shelves dial down the sophistication one more notch. Simplicity of design reflects the intended use of this space - food preparation.  The kitchen door opens out to Peacon Lane, formerly known as Gruntbone Alley where there is a bricked off street parking spot. 

The master bedroom is located at the right front of the house. While I did not see the house as it was being renovated, I am certain Donghia re-built the front wall that now includes closets on either side of a built-in bench  

There are two bedrooms at the rear. The bedroom below is currently used as a den. Both bedrooms have closets. And both have French doors which open out to the pool.

There is an outdoor shower on the west or right side of the house. All bedrooms have access to it as do people using the pool.

One of the real estate agents in my office told me he used to go to parties in the Donghia house back in the day while Donghia still lived there. He talked about the famous (and infamous) people from New York and Key West who attended the parties. He said the house was different then - furnished with designer furniture and art and famous people. The house itself has not changed. In fact, the passage of forty years have given that Donghia design a patina that only comes from age. If you are a fan of Antiques Road Show like I am, you know not to do something stupid by trying to clean or brush away patina. 

Eaton Street at Peacon Lane,  1937

Peacon Lane current
 

 I sat for several minutes on this front porch waiting to go inside for a showing.  Tourists were walking past on their way in both directions looking around at the houses on either side of the street commenting on the architecture and how wonderful it must be to live in such a town as this. I sat back on the cane chair in the cool of the afternoon shade behind the fan palms that made me invisible.

I can see why out of all the old houses for sale forty some years ago Donghia bought 712 Eaton (across the street) and also 713 Eaton Street. He renovated 712 Eaton and sold it to Calvin Klein. He kept 713 Eaton for himself. The simple facade of 713 is the opposite of the octagon house which is way fussy. It's better to look at fussy than to be fussy. People talk about fussy people but they admire the beautiful and unpretentious. That's what 713 Eaton Street is.  And it will stay that way as long as nobody messes with it.

713 Eaton Street is now offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West at the reduced price of $1,300,000. Please CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a personal showing. Days and times are limited. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.