I often write about the charm of buying and owning a home on one of the slow lanes in Key West. Since most of the Old Town lanes are often sandwiched in between large blocks, the houses on the lanes are often cottages as opposed to larger homes. These homes are ofttimes located on smallish one-way streets that may only one or two blocks long. Some locals probably could not tell you where many of these little lanes are located because they are tucked away from view. Such is the case for the new listing at
1316 Villa Mill Alley. Villa Mill Alley is located about one half block east of Simonton Street just south off United Street. This is a small enclave of very expensive homes with location few people know exists situated just on the edge of the Casa Marina Area.
I found an old aerial photo of the Casa Marina Area that was taken in 1930. I added an arrow to show where the original home was built several years ago. Upper Duval Street is located a block and a half to the west. The lot measures 110' X 80.26' or 9,775 sq ft. According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser shows the square footage of the property as 2200 sq ft. The property was just completely renovated and expanded. I think the property appears to be much larger because of the connective walkways between the buildings which make up this incredible Key West home.
There are two entrances to the home both of which are located on Villa Mill Alley and both of which are shown above. The formal entrance is located immediately to the left of the two story bedroom building centered above. The informal entrance is to the right side and adjacent to the double garage.
Instead of walking into the home, you enter a covered walkway that connects the living area on the north and the master and guest bedrooms on the south. No matter which location is your destination, your eyes are immediately diverted to the lush tropical gardens, koi pond, pagoda, and pool. Like I said, this is no Key West cottage.
The great room is designed for very relaxed and informal Key West living, but at the same time exudes a sense of dramatic style. You'll quickly notice architectural and building elements like the wide wood floors, the impact glass doors and windows, extra-wide horizontal wall boards, and vaulted ceiling. These elements are carried throughout the property. The glass doors retract and open out to the covered deck that looks out to the dramatic courtyard.
The third bedroom and bath (or as currently used den) is located just on the far side of the great room. It likewise has doors which open out to garden and the adjacent pagoda.
The master suite is located on the first floor of the bedroom pavilion. Imagine waking up in the morning looking out to the garden and hearing the babbling koi pond and viewing the tropical foliage. While the bath has all the latest in high end bath fixtures, you may be more likely to take your morning shower in the adjacent outdoor shower. A spiral staircase leads to the second floor guest bedroom.
The guest bedroom really is tucked away and located out of sight up the spiral staircase. There is a morning kitchen located just inside the entry so that guests won't have to go down the steps for coffee or cocktails unless they really feel the need to socialize. Otherwise, they can make cozy up in their own private luxury suite. The doors open out to a huge deck from which they can view the grounds and dream what it must be like to own such a wonderful retreat.
CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.
1316 Villa Mill Alley is offered for sale at
$3,495,000.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Then please call me,
Gary Thomas,
305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this one-of-a-kind Key West property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let's go take a look. Perhaps this could be your own private Shangra-La.
