80 Bay Drive, Summerland Key, Florida

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West 80 Bay Drive at Bay Point, just a few miles east of Key West. The listing Realtor, not me, describes this 1892 sq ft home this way:
"Romantic Low-Country Architectural Masterpiece! Here's the home you have been dreaming of! Graceful balance of reclaimed Dade County Pine and hand planed Rosewood, custom Dental crown moldings, Coffered ceilings, and only the finest finishes. Custom Kitchen with built in Mahogany Dining Table. Enchanting Master Suite with private balcony. You will fall in love with the light filled rooms and gorgeous open water sunset views. Southern charm is reflected in the wrap around porches; capture delicious ocean breezes while you cherish special moments entertaining family and friends. Lush and vibrant landscape offers the scent of gardenias and jasmine. Currently configured as a 2/1; home can easily be converted to a 3/2 with main floor Master."

80 Bay Drive was built new in 2003 and purchased by the current owner in 2006. The current owner renovated the nearly new house by making substantial upgrades to the 1892 sq ft home which was already a beautiful property. One of the more notable upgrades was the new custom crafted kitchen by a Mennonite cabinet maker. Note also the extensive use of crown and dentil moldings, wainscoting, and milled real wood floors. The intricate coffered ceilings include hidden HVAC. The ceilings are also wood.

The balance of the first floor is divided between a large sitting area, a combination formal dining area with a Murphy Bed tucked away in the corner, plus a large bath. In my opinion this unique floor plan would work well for empty nesters who need extra sleeping accommodations on rare occasions.

The entire second floor is devoted to the master suite which includes the sitting area, luxurious spa-like bath, and romantic bed chamber with ocean views off the balcony. The wainscoting from the first floor continues up the staircase and wraps the bedroom and bath areas. The crown molding continues as well, but here the HVAC is hidden behind Victorian era metal grills.

French doors open from the master suite out onto the second floor deck which provides the perfect perch to watch the earth, the sky, and the water perform a kaleidoscope of images from dawn to dusk. French doors on the main level open out to a covered IPE deck that wraps around the house. Note the crown and dentil molding evident inside the house was brought outside as well. Here the moldings partially cover the hurricane shutters.

The house sits on a 10,900 sq ft lot fronting toward the northwest with an ocean view. The control depth of the water is three feet. The listing agent said deep ocean water is just ten minutes away and deep Gulf water is only fifteen minutes away. Or move a kayak out to the water and just play for a while. The house has a garage which is viewable along with a lot of photos which show many features not enumerated in the blog - CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and all listing photos of 80 Bay Drive that is offered for sale at the asking price of $1,380,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a personal viewing of this beautiful home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

918 Southard Street #101, Key West, Florida

Just listed but not by me, 918 Southard Street #101, Key West, Florida. This is private and spacious first floor unit tucked away from the other units in popular Southard Square Condominiums located in the very heart of Old Town. The listing Realtor describes this property thus:

"Charming condo located in the highly desirable Southard Square Condominiums, this ground level unit offers privacy and convenience in a tropical paradise. With a recently updated bathroom and flooring, this unit's open floor plan offers a comfortable and spacious area to enjoy family and friends while preparing meals or enjoying the breeze on the patio. This thoughtfully planned community has wandering walkways and paths that guide you through the gardens to the large shared pool and clubhouse perfect for small gatherings. This monthly vacation rental has a proven history as an income producer. Convenient Old Town location is close to restaurants and Historic Seaport and includes a dedicated off-street parking space."

Southard Square Condominiums was built in 1987. I remember hearing that part of the 918 Southard building was the former location of the De Poo Hospital. I dug down into the bottom of my old shoebox and found the black and white photo taken in 1965 of the De Poo Hospital. Then I found another photo of a house next door at 912 Southard Street which was taken down so that the modern condominiums could be built. I doubt that our Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) would allow a similar fate to a historic house today. It is interesting to compare and contrast the two styles of architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  I took the color photos below which show the "renovated De Poo Hospital" as it looks today.  The front of the condo development now sits where 912 Southard Street was once located. Several nearly identical houses to 912 Southard Street still exist just to the east and also around the corner from 5 Brothers Grocery on at the corner of Southard and Grinnell Street.)

918 Southard Street in 1965

912 Southard Street in 1965

 

Today Southard Square is a stable condominium community with just 16 units most of which are owner occupied. A few units, such as #101, are rented as monthly vacation rentals. The entrance to  Unit # 101 is located just to the left of the main gated entrance shown immediately above. The main bricked pathway leads through the landscaped courtyard to the huge pool located in the middle of the property.  The pool is very large and provides ample opportunities for sunning most of the day. There is also abundant deck area so that non-sun worshipers can lay by the 20' X 40'pool but not get zapped by the Key West sun rays.

The club house or community room

The historic buildings and the newer buildings are each different as are each of the residential units. This is no cookie cutter community here. Each unit has an assigned off street parking spot. Unit #101 is located at the front of the easternmost building. It has a private outdoor sitting area tucked behind tropical foliage.

If you have traveled to Key West several times and stayed at one of the many Shipyard Condomiums, you will probably appreciate the fact that this one bedroom unit is just a bit larger than the typical two bedroom Shipyard units.  Here the kitchen and living areas are open. There's a breakfast bar for casual dining. Notice also the sofas can be converted into sleepers for the occasion guest.

The monthly condo association fees at $667 and cover building maintenance, common area and pool maintenance, building insurances, trash removal, and basic cable TV. The property is professionally managed as well.

5 Brothers Grocery - half a block away

Mangia-Mangia up on the corner at Margaret Street

Michael's Steak House also on nearby Margaret Street

Key West Seaport - a five minute walk down Grinnell or Margaret Street

The pool - a one minute walk out the front door

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more listing photos of this unit. This one bedroom, one bath first floor unit is offered for sale at $500,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this monthly vacation rental. This unit is constantly booked so advance appointments are mandatory. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.