812 Fleming Street #3, Key West - Just Listed

One of the best located condominiums in Key West was just listed for sale at the asking price of $639,000.  812 Fleming Street Unit #3 located on the second floor front of the Seafoam Condominiums. The second floor front unit has an expansive balcony (about 25 feet wide) which overlooks colorful Fleming Street amid numerous guest houses and near some of the finest single family homes in Old Town. The historic seaport is located a couple of blocks to the north.  Duval Street is about a five minute walk to the west.  There are several really great restaurants with three blocks. Locals and returning guests love this location for its convenience and the people who live nearby. Best of all, if you buy this unit you will have a ring side seat to watch the annual People's Parade as it winds its way up Fleming Street each year during Fantasy Fest.

The Seafoam condominiums is a mixed use building with six residential condominiums and two commercial units that are located on the ground level front. Timmy Tuxedo occupies one 0f the commercial spots and a doctor's office the other. Every time I go by Timmy Tuxedo I chuckle at the thought of a tuxedo store in Key West where tee shirts, baggy shorts, and flip-flops are the norm. Whodathunk anybody would need a tux here? They do, otherwise the tuxedo shop would not have existed as long as it has, and it is a Key West institution. 

Neither commercial business interferes in any way with the residential living in this building. They have minimal daytime traffic and none in the evening. The building  was built circa 1906. It was renovated and converted into condominiums in 1980.  The one bedroom units are pretty much identical as far as size and layout.  Individual owners have renovated the current interiors to suit their individual needs.  Four units have balconies that overlook Fleming Street including Unit #3.  It's a , but just two are located on the top floor. Unit #6 is the one that is the subject of today's blog.  And it is a doozy!

During renovation in 1980

The listing Realtor, not me, describes unit #6 this way:
"Rarely available Seafoam Condominium with spacious covered porch overlooking historic Fleming Street in Old Town. Second floor unit has been completely renovated by the owners and no expense was spared. Chef's kitchen with all new stainless appliances, gas range, quartz countertops, glass backsplash, built-in pet station, & wood cabinets. Hardwood floors, Dade County pine, & large closets. Pool!This unit boasts tiger wood hardwood floors throughout and features restored Dade County pine walls. The living area leads to the porch with added space for dining or relaxing in the heart of Old Town. The bedroom has a custom frosted glass contemporary door blending modern with traditional Key West architecture. The bath was renovated and offers a glass walk-in shower, river rock, ceramic tile, and modern fixtures. There is ample storage with two oversized closets plus additional pantry. The Seafoam Condominium has a beautiful pool, patio area, and is surrounded by tropical landscape. This secured entry building in an ideal location near the Seaport, fine dining, and galleries makes a perfect full time residence or vacation home in paradise."

As soon as you enter this building you know it is something special. A rooftop skylight illuminates the three story atrium during the daytime. The rich Dade County Pine walls are set off by the white columns and balusters creating dramatic to each of the residential units.

Bedroom door at right - view from 25 ft deck which spans the unit

View looking north and west. Living room door to the left.  Duval Street is three blocks away.

Spotless new kitchen

Simply Stunning New Bath

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this ideally located property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1500 Albury Street, Key West - Sunday Open House

Open House Sunday, January 29th

12:00 to 2:00

1500 Albury Street

It's not going to be a beach day today. Drop by to see this beautiful new 2040 square foot home offered at $2,199,000.

• New Construction
• Open Living Concept 
• 4 Bedrooms
• 3 1/2 Baths
• Coffered Ceiling in Living Room
• Crown Molding throughout house
• Hardi Plank Construction
• Impact Windows and Doors
• Travertine Marble Floors on main level
• Mahogany Floors on second level
• Pool and Waterfall plus Outdoor Shower
• Gated off street parking for Two Automobiles
• Fenced Corner Lot

Listed and Hosted by Cory Held and Gary Thomas at Preferred Properties Key West

520 Southard Street, Key West, Florida  305-294-3040

923 Angela Street, Key West - A Storybook Cottage

Just Listed, but not by me, 923 Angela Street in Key West. I wrote a couple of blogs about this charming house a few years ago when it was then listed for sale. Let's look at the front facade and see how it has changed since first photographed in 1965 and progress to how it looks in 2017.

1965

2012

2017

The listing Realtor describes this Old Town home this way:

"A storybook cottage perfectly renovated for discerning tastes. Tucked away on one of Old Town's secluded, charming lanes, 923 Angela is one of the historic Conch cottages that make Key West famous. Two bedrooms and two full baths, including an expansive upstairs master retreat with a walkout to the sweet, tree-top roof deck. Brilliant, dappled natural light plays across the interior's historic Dade County pine walls and restored floors, while a new, high-end kitchen and dining area provide a superb entertaining space. The second bedroom, which could easily become a guest suite or office opens onto the new pool and landscaped courtyard with its touch-of-whimsy outdoor shower. With its perfect front porch for sunset views and consistent, cooling breezes, this home offers casual Key West living in a storybook setting. Located in the X flood zone."

This is a one and one-half story cottage with 1254 sq ft of compact but very cleverly designed living space. I use the word "designed" intentionally because the new owner made some very clever changes and additions when he renovated this house. What you cannot see but should appreciate is the replacement of old piers under the house and the new floor system. The Dade County walls and ceiling survive but do not overpower the place.

I snuck in a photo of the vintage kitchen as photographed in 2012 so that you can see how much the space changed and see how the space evolved. The most obvious change is the new cabinetry. A new base cabinet was added next to the wall where an open storage space got all dressed up with a door. Another base cabinet was added to the end wall to create a credenza for more kitchen storage. A custom dining space was added with wood counter top with especially fine joinery. Look just under the top to see five spaces for wine bottles. The stools get tucked out of the way when not in use.

I am not a fan of trendy decorating thingies. When I first noticed the hanging barn door in the first floor rear bedroom I questioned why. But if you consider this owner put the door in the bedroom and not in the dining area you realize the door is not the focus of attention but rather a convenient way to save space and create utility. Clever! Not having a pool was always a problem for this house. Now it has one. It fits right in like it was always there. But it wasn't. I stepped to the east side and found an outdoor shower where the base is a surf board. Clever again! As in the inside, the outside is minimalist in design carried out masterfully.

To explain the wondrous second floor, I must show you the previous incarnation. Look below.

East gable before

The stairway enters directly into the bedroom area which previously had no closet nor bathroom. The owner created a one level closet/room divider at the east end gable and added a new bathroom at the west rear gable. The square hatch window to the rear deck was previously existing. The A/C was elevated to the side of the deck bringing the noise up in the air making way for the pool down below. The bathroom is quite spacious. I especially loved the custom quartz sink the seems to hover over the white cabinets. This ultimate class in my opinion. The late afternoon light in this room is incredible which reminds me that the view from the deck will amaze you in May and June when the Royal Poinciana tree in the neighboring yard goes into full bloom. It's a killer. Speaking of which, this home is located opposite the Key West cemetery.

 

923 Angela Street is offered at $1,078,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing.  Let's take a look. You will be charmed by this storybook cottage. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.