Key West Properties: yum kee fu

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1020 Von Phister Street which is located in the Casa Marina area of Key West. I know this area well because I have lived about 100 feet east of this house since 1995. I watched as the old house that used to be located here was torn down and the present house was completed in 2002. The house was one of two houses designed by internationally famous architect Yum Kee Fu. (The other house is located on nearby South Street.)

1020 Von Phister Street in 1965 - demolished

The listing Realtor describes 1020 Von Phister Street as a:
"Custom built home, contemporary designed by an award wining Architect in 2002, in the heart of the Casa Marina. Located 3 blocks from the beach and tennis courts. There are 3 ensuite bedrooms, office and laundry room with marble floors throughout. Kitchen has been renovated with all new appliance and high tech lighting. Sliding glass doors reveal an outstanding tropical landscaping and large pool with a great water feature. In the master suite there are his and her bathrooms with closets. Off the master is an incredible private outdoor shower, orchid garden and deck. This home is complete with a full house generator and hurricane shutters. Two off street parking place with rolling gates. Can be bought fully furnished."
While this home is contemporary in style, the spaces are designed for traditional uses. So many contemporary homes have big open areas that are a mush of uses. This home has specific rooms for specific uses. You never have to guess what you are supposed to do in a particular place. It is evident. And it is classy.

The main entry hall is broad and long. It leads to the two story living room at the rear of the house. One wing juts to the right where two of the guest bedrooms each with en-suite bath are located. A wide opening leads to the left where the office, laundry, and kitchen can be found.

The main floor bedroom at the pool side is a wonderful guest suite for today but would make a great master bedroom should the need arise.

The second guest bedroom is located on the main floor as well. It has access to a private outdoor sitting area plus a spacious en-suite bath.

A wall of windows and travertine marble lead to the second floor master suite and rooftop orchid garden. The master bedroom area includes two separate his and hers baths (or his and his or hers and hers baths - this is Key West!).

The rooftop sundeck and shower provides ultimate privacy for sunning and communing with nature. You will find it a rare day when you use the bath or indoor shower with such a beautiful outdoor shower so handy.

The backside of the roof has solar panels which produce a substantial part of the energy for this home. The house actually sells energy back to Keys Energy on some days.

The rooftop deck provides a great view of the pool and rear garden area. This space is totally secluded. The property located next door to the west is a huge rear yard of a large home located on Flagler Avenue that extends all the way to Von Phister Street. The rear yard there is filled with ancient trees to provide cooling shade and privacy to the owner of 1020 Von Phister Street.

1020 Von Phister Street is offered at $1,449,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. I took some additional photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

Even though I live in the Casa Marina area and, in fact, live about 100 feet east of 1020 Von Phister Street, I decided to do some internet surfing to find some words penned by others that describe the area. There I found William McKeen's discussion in MILE MARKER ZERO:The Movable Feast of Key West where he wrote about Thomas McGuane's purchasing a nearby property on Von Phister Street.

"He sold the Ann Street place and bought a second home in Key West. This house on [1011] Von Phister Street was in a tonier neighborhood, just a mile across the island, but another world from the drunken debauchery and temptations of Duval Street. The new place was near the Casa Marina, Henry Flagler's enormous resort hotel at the end of the continent. The neighborhood was quiet, home to the cleris of Key West, a better place for his wife and you son, with a guesthouse out back he could use as a writer's studio. It was as close to a cloistered suburban life as the crowded little island could allow."

I love living in the Casa Marina area. And I am really serious about the beauty of the very special home at 1020 Von Phister Street. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 to schedule a showing of this property. You will be very pleasantly surprised. I am buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.