1106 Georgia Street, Key West - The Golden Heron House

People from all over the world come to Key West for many reasons including its old homes and buildings. They love to walk and bike around various neighborhoods where they can see homes from a different era most of which have been restored and preserved and some which desperately need help. Many of these visitors dream about owning a place in Key West. The new listing at 1106 Georgia Street might just be that place for someone reading today's blog.

I dug into my old shoebox and found the black and white aerial photo taken in 1918 which I added an arrow identifying the location of 1106 Georgia Street. Today the large parcel of vacant ground is Bayview Park,  The broad street under the text was then known as Division Street. Today it is Truman Avenue. Much has changed in the hundred years since that photo was taken. The one time grocery at the corner of Georgia and Virginia Street is now a house. And it is now offered for sale at $1,639,000.

Among the striking features of this building is the wrap-around awning which extends out over the public sidewalk - note the dotted yellowish line framing the lot. I also found the black and white photo of the building in 1965. Both the exterior and interior of this property were used as sets in The Rose Tattoo movie filmed in Key West in 1955.  The main floor was a grocery (see also the Sanborn Map above which shows the building as a grocery). The Georgia Street awning was partially enclosed to make the space more private and provides a comfy sitting place to watch the comings and goings in the neighborhood. Tennessee Williams, the author of The Rose Tattoo, lived a couple of blocks to the south and east. This was his neighborhood.

Etched glass French doors open into this one-of-a-kind home with open-air living room (immediately above) located off the main entry. The 2587 sq ft home has five bedrooms, three and one-half baths, two kitchens, and a grotto like pool.  This place is just too cool for words. It has a history of being used as a monthly vacation rental. In fact, a customer of mine has stayed there before. His family loved it.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and to view the striking listing photos of 1106 Georgia Street. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This home will be on Open House Sunday November 18 from 12 to 3. Drop by and tell the Karen Lane, the listing Realtor, that you read about the property my blog. She would love to have you take a look.

My logo is an image of Tennessee Williams home on nearby Duncan Street. Williams wrote The Rose Tattoo. This is a neat neighborhood filled with interesting buildings and stories.

1525 Von Phister Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed - 1525 Von Phister Street, Key West. This home was recently totally renovated and now has all the features current home buyers seek including an open concept living area, high vaulted ceilings, impact rated glass windows and doors, Hardiboard siding, new roof, covered rear loggia, pool, off street parking, and a white picket fence.

All that remains of the twentieth century house is some of the original framing as this twenty-first century renovation is au currant. There is a new addition at the rear where the master suite and kitchen are located. The interior flow was reoriented. Now the two guest bedrooms  are located to either the left or right just off the front entry.

The interiors are crisp and clean. Attention to both minimalism and to detail are evident everywhere. The walls are painted a mild gray tone and accented by white. The gray floors contrast the white base boards, trim, doors, sand volume ceilings. New wind impact windows and doors are also framed in white added a bit of "drama" to the otherwise minimalist interior. Inconspicuous recessed lighting is used extensively.

The master suite is located in the new rear addition where the gray and white theme continues. The bedroom is spacious but not too big to be intimate. An alcove provides just the right amount of space for the bed. Opposite there are built-in drawers and media center. You can't see it (that's intended), but the sliding glass door to the covered rear loggia disappears into the wall. Two banks of closets on either side of the hall lead to the spacious en suite which includes a tub, shower, and two sinks. A new impact glass window introduces natural light into the space.

An office nook was added next to the kitchen where another recessed sliding door disappears into the wall with a transom-style window above and large kitchen sink window add more light into this space. Quart counter-tops and stainless steel appliances contrast to the gleaming white cabinets.

Subtle features like recessed lighting, exterior ceiling fans, slate tile floors, drapes, Trex decks, sprinkler system, and solar light system blend together to create two pleasant sitting areas on the loggia. The deck has sunning areas on the east and west side of the long pool. In a town known for its "dip pools" it's nice to see one where you could do laps. This home is located in a neighborhood of both full time and second homes. It could easily be a full time residence or a monthly vacation rental. CLICK HERE to view more photos.

1525 Von Phister Street Key West is offered for sale at $1,595,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and 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.

1219 Royal Street, Key West

Just Listed: 1219 Royal Street, Key West, Florida. The listing broker at Preferred Properties describes the property this way:

This beautiful home is located just blocks from Duval Street yet it seems worlds away. Completely remodeled, this move in ready home features a two bedroom, two bath main home plus a separate poolside guest cottage with one bedroom, one bath and a sitting room. The main home has dramatically high ceilings throughout and a large gourmet kitchen. Each bedroom offers ample closet space and privacy. The master bedroom en suite opens through french doors to the newly resurfaced heated pool which is surrounded by landscaping and decking making it a perfect spot to relax & dine al fresco. An added bonus is gated off street parking. Located in the x500 zone, this home is move in ready and comes completely furnished and equipped. It was just freshly painted so all you need is your suitcase!

You can tell from the architectural design that this is not the typical Key West house normally featured in my blog. According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser this home was built in 1965. While searching my shoebox for a photo of the house in 1965 (shown immediately below) I found another picture of the Beatles who spent the night at the Key Wester Resort out by the Key West International Airport in 1964. While searching,  I remembered an aerial photo of this area taken around 1960. I found it and added an arrow directing your attention to the vacant lot. The other lots had houses on them. One may have previously existed, but I couldn't find it. The aerial photo demonstrates the location as being three blocks to Duval Street and that means this home has an excellent location as a vacation rental.

The main house and guest cottage provide 1620 square feet of living space under air conditioning plus an additional 297 square feet of covered deck and porches. There is gated off street parking for two vehicles - now that is a treat!

The house has been thoroughly updated by licensed contractors in the past several years which included electrical systems, new air conditioning, new roof, new kitchen and baths plus the addition of the pool and renovation of the guest cottage. Recently new AZEC decking was added around the pool. One of the features I find most appealing is the French doors which open out to the pool so that the owner may take a late night skinny dip.

This property has a multi-year history as a vacation rental. A new owner may continue to rent, stay with the current property management company, or change companies, or not rent at all. The location is three blocks to Duval Street and about seven blocks to Higg's Beach, pictured below. Salute on the Beach and Louie's Backyard are nearby eateries. Other nearby attractions include the Old Town Fitness on Truman, Seven Fish, several yoga studios, a couple of lawyers in case you or your guests get arrested for driving under the influence, and Fausto's food emporium. All of these places are within easy walking distance. Guests love to be able to walk places.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1219 Royal Street offered at $1,475,000. 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.