Artist's Retreat - 809 Virginia Street - Key West

The kewl pool at 809 Virginia Street

Just listed by Preferred Properties (that's where I work, but this is not my listing) 809 Virginia Street in Old Town Key West. If you like the avant garde, read on. The listing broker describes this unorthodox home this way:

" Completely renovated by an artist/designer, this classic Key West cigar maker's cottage has wonderful style. The living area opens to a very private pool surrounded by lush tropical foliage. French doors and windows fill the house with light from the front porch to the back of the house. Light wood floors, high ceilings, an open staircase to the loft and the two bedrooms all have the charm factor. Great old town location."

The front room

When you walk inside you kinda feel like Dorothy, only this time instead of knowing your not in Kansas, you know you are in some place very different. The front room is currently used as a bedroom and art showcase. The vaulted ceiling, blank walls, and gauze curtains unlike anything in Kansas, for sure.

A hallway leads you to the second room, a smaller bedroom, which precedes the bathroom. Then you suddenly emerge into the large rear end of the house. A big bright kitchen is to your right and a small staircase takes you to a landing where the living room soars up to the rafters. This area is bright and alive and the space is filled with the art and sculpture. If you look out the Fench doors you will see a secluded pool and deck and of course you want to go outside. But it you turn around to look down into the kitchen your eyes are drawn upward to the loft that runs a good portion of the length of the house. Now how did I miss that? Do you go out or do you stay inside? What a delicate dilemma.


The pool is lovely. It's plenty big for Key West. There is room for sunning and reading under the shade. There are bricked side yards on either side of the house. One has an outdoor shower which you will come to love if you buy a house in Key West. Really!


Back inside you see the stairway to the loft spaces. Yes, plural. The sleeping area is located toward the front. Two skylights let daytime sunlight fill this space.


It is the rear of the loft that is the big draw for this space. Look at the photo just below because it will help you understand the simplicity of design that makes this space so damned appealing both as a design element and as functional living space.


Viewed from below the vertical slats in the loft are something akin to back of a sofa or perhaps a headboard.

When we look at the same area from the other side we see a "built-in" bed or whatever-you-want-to-call-it. I sat on these fluffy pillows and came up with all kinds of fun things one could do here.

The view from the loft looking down to the kitchen and living area is so inviting.

The house has lots of niches for storing stuff or showing off possessions. No space was wasted. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of this wonderful property. You will be amazed.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database and to view listing photos of this property. This property is offered at $699,000. If you would like to see 809 Virginia Street or any other home in Key West, please consider contacting me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Hey, don't worry about this place being too far out. It's close to everything.

1301 Whitehead Street - Key West - Papa's "Other" House

1301 Whitehead Street as viewed from the United Street side looking south

Covered off street parking

Wrap-around front porch

Just listed, but not by me, 1301 Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West. The listing agent describes this old beauty this way:

"Hemingway's last rental home in Key West before moving into his estate a few blocks down the street. This classic early 1900's two story bungalow with charming entry and wrap-a-round porch is located adjacent to the Southernmost Point at the corner of United and Whitehead Streets. The historic home is filled with light and features large rooms with high ceilings and heart of pine floors. An enormous second level studio has a glimpse of the ocean. The oversized lot has a sunny side yard with decked pool, storage shed, and a big rear yard and off-street parking. In addition there is an unfinished attic for expansion potential. Historic and very Key West."

Glimpse of the Ocean from the second floor

Officer Housing at the Naval Air Station

This home is located one block from the Southernmost Point and directly across the street from the gated entrance to officer housing at the Naval Air Station. During the daytime you will see tourists passing by on foot, bicycle, scooter, auto, Conch Train, and maybe even skateboard. The tourist traffic starts to slow down before sunset and virtually ends thereafter. Having officer housing located across the street means no noise from those neighbors and that property is always immaculate. The listing agent mentions "a glimpse of the ocean" from the enormous second level studio. I took photos of the house this morning and I could see the blue sea from the first floor front porch. Mind you, the view was still a glimpse, but it was still the ocean.

Living room with dining room to the right

Dining room - notice the rich wood floors

The Kitchen

This home has 1980 sq ft of living space on two floors. It sits on a very large lot 5250 sq ft lot (52.5'x98.7') . There are three bedrooms and three baths. Besides the Hemingway connection, this house has just about everything a potential old house home buyer is looking for: good location, large size, historic character and charm, notable architecture, a sunny pool, off street (covered) parking, and room for expansion. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls listing datasheet that has lots of photos of the inside and outside.

The pool is located on the north side of the property

Click GOOGLE MAP for an aerial perspective of 1301 Whitehead Street and then use the toggle switch to get a street view of the area.

1301 Whitehead Street is offered for sale at $999,000. If you would like to see this home or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

1017 17th Street - Key West - Bank Owned

Frequent readers know how much I like to dig into the shoebox to find old photos of Key West. Since most of "New Town" is "new", finding old photos is difficult. The above photo shows the New Town area when photographed in the 1970s. I marked the approximate location of the new Bank Owned property located at 1017 17th Street with an "X". The listing broker describes the property this way:

"Bank Owned! Three bedroom two bath home with swimming pool in a great neighborhood in New Town Key West. Spanish and ceramic tile throughout. Great pool area for entertaining. Nice sized lot with off street parking. No Appliances. This home has lots of potential. It's a must see!"

1017 17th Street - Key West

17th Street Parkway

The house sits on the east side of the 17th Street Parkway. Palm trees and grass provide a nice separation from the homes across the parkway to the west. Many if not most of the other homes in the area have been updated, and some have been expanded with second story additions. The house at 1017 17th Street has been enlarged with the conversion of a garage into a family room located off the kitchen and the addition of a large covered patio with mini-kitchen. The kitchen and bathrooms were updated, but appliances are missing from the kitchen and some fixtures have been removed in the bathrooms. The house is going to need some TLC. This place has lots of room for a good sized family. That pool and rear area will make a great family home.

Covered Patio to the Left

French doors from Master Bedroom Open to the Pool

The 1872 sq ft house sits on a 5700 sq ft lot (57'x100'). You can tell the front yard was once very nicely maintained. The rear yard is the reason locals ought to take a look at this property. The pool is large and gets good sun exposure most of the day. And there is plenty of covered space and shaded areas as well.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. This Bank Owned home is offered at $359,000 or $197 per sq ft.

If you would like to see this property or any other house in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1517 Washington - east Casa Marina Area - Key West

I wrote about 1517 Washington Street a couple of months back when it was a fresh new listing. It went under contract soon thereafter. The would-be buyer isn't gonna-be. So the property is now back on the market and available once again at the affordable asking price of $425,000. I've shown this property several times since I wrote the initial post. I am now more convinced that this is a super bargain for a buyer looking for a entry level house into a very nice area of Key West. Please read on.

The listing broker describes the property this way:

"This darling two bedroom home is sure to please! It's located on a pretty street within blocks from the beach and old town. A cheerful sun porch entry leads into the main living area. The kitchen opens to an inviting screened porch where one can enjoy the view of the tropical vegetation including fruit trees. The property has beautiful original cuban tile floors and plenty of room for a pool and expansion. Easy to see!"

Living room with original Cuban tile that is in near mint condition

Vintage Florida Room is just a gas!

The basics: 952 sq ft of living space under roof plus a large covered and screen rear patio. The lot is 4698 sq ft ( 50.25'x93.5') with lots of room in front, on both sides and a very large rear area with plenty of room for a pool. Click GOOGLE MAP to view an aerial perspective and then zoom closer for a better view of the area. Use the toggle switch for a street view. Most of the other homes in this area have been enlarged or razed and new homes built. One could do that here, but the house is just fine as it sits. The home was perfectly maintained for decades and I saw no noticeable deferred maintenance.

The house was built in 1963 so it has the architecture of that era. The slanted roof and jalousie windows give this house a distinguished look. Some may not like it, but others will embrace it. Much of the architecture in the Mid Town and New Town areas of Key West have similar features. Some buyers do blow-outs or tear downs and reconfigure and expand the living space. Others prefer to conserve money and fix that which is broken and update that which needs it. When money is tight, some new owners prefer to keep things simple and do low cost improvements rather than big renovation projects. This house could go either way in my opinion. This house has been perfectly maintained and will be just fine if left as is. Serious! It is old Florida. I can imagine how chic this place could look if filled with 50's and 60's vintage furniture. The kitchen, however, has been updated.


CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of the property. And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database for this home. Spend some time looking and I think you will see the value in this house you could easily move in tomorrow.

This house is within a few minute bike ride to Rest Beach and Higg's Beach to the south. Fausto's Food Palace is a couple of blocks to the north. The Island Gym is nearby as are many small eateries and coffee shops. Old Town is a fifteen minute bike ride or less. The airport is about five minutes by car. The three Key West shopping centers are also five to seven minutes on a normal day. And the Key West Dairy Queen is only a few minute walk on a hot summer night.

Higg's Beach as viewed from Salute on the Beach

Rest Beach as depicted in a vintage "Old Florida" post card

Fausto's Food Palace

More locals go here than the bars on Duval Street

If you are interested in buying this house or any other house in Key West, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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Enchanting 1325 South Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

1325 South Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

The listing agent for the just listed 1325 South Street in the Casa Marina Area of Key West invited me to tour the property yesterday. I actually went over in the early morning to take some post-sunrise photos of the front. I was not particularly taken by the ranch facade, so I decided not to take any photos at that time. A few hours later I arrived just as other agents were leaving with big smiles and hearty thanks being said to the listing agent. Hmm! I thought. I looked inside the front yard that is protected from the street by a privacy fence and saw a totally inviting garden. I was starting to get impressed.


I passed the double door threshold and entered the huge living room with beamed vaulted ceiling that drew my eyes to the height of this space but then my eyes were drawn in multitude of conflicting directions. Each way I looked I saw something that beckoned me to go there first. How different this house was than what I expected. This is not a "typical" ranch or typical anything else. This is a unique Key West property.

The office or study located at the east end off the living room

The living room extends east to west. Real wood floors give the space a rich feeling. The floors seemed solid as compared to so many manufactured floors that look and feel fake or flimsy or both. An office is located on the east side of the living room. The office is shuttered off from the main living area when necessary, but I'll bet the shutters are rarely used. The space has windows on the east and south providing natural light.

One bedroom with an adjacent sitting area and bath are located at the east rear side of the house. The bedroom area has two sets of French doors that look out toward the pool and garden. My eyes urged me to go outside, but my head demanded that I look at the remainder of the house before I go outside.

Vaulted outdoor entertaining area

A den or family room is located on the west rear side of the house. It has French doors that open onto the covered rear entertaining area. The outdoor and indoor spaces merge into one larger alternate living area that is seen in other homes-usually priced much higher than this one.

A second large bedroom and bath are located at the west front. Again the space is large which is not normally the case in ranch homes.


The kitchen is bright, huge, and terribly inviting. I saw so much joy in this space. I know any amateur iron chef would be proud to do battle in this space. Dark black counter tops and drawer pulls set off the stark white cabinets. Another set of French doors open from the kitchen onto the covered rear entertaining area. Do you notice a pattern here of spaces that flow from one use to another and that permit the two spaces to merge into a common usage?


The outdoor entertaining area is protected by a beamed tall canopy that somewhat apes the spatial feeling from inside the house. The current owners use that space as an extension of the living area. A separate dining area is located opposite the large rectangular pool. In point of fact there are several 'vignettes' in the garden that has more of the feel of an English garden than a tropical Key West garden. But everything there is tropical. It just looks more sophisticated than most gardens I normally see. This garden did not just happen. It was planned and it has been nurtured and maintained.


There is a small cottage the rear of the property. It is currently used as a potting shed. I think some new owner might want to make it into a guest room. Guests would beg to be sent to the shed. The garden, of course, is close to the ground. Surrounding trees from neighboring properties provide a luscious canopy that frames the otherwise bright skyscape in the garden.


1325 South Street has 1620 sq ft of living space consisting of three bedrooms, two baths under roof. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"A lush tropical experience awaits you in this beautiful home just east of the Casa Marina section of Key West. Historic home with three bedrooms plus den, open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, one floor living, spacious gourmet kitchen and great outdoor seating areas. Split floor plan provides privacy to master suite from guest areas. Hardwood floors, tropical colors and private setting. Off-street parking, amazing pool and huge tropical lot. Close to beaches, restaurants and the White Street Arts District. A Hidden Tropical Oasis For Tranquil Island Living."

CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of this wonderful property. And CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and view listing photos. Click both and don't miss anything on this property.

If you would like to see 1325 South Street please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. You will surely agree with me that this Key West property is enchanting.

1320 Angela Street - Meadows Area Duplex - Short Sale - Key West

1320 Angela Street is the two story home on the left

Charming cottage located next door

Off street parking

Quiet Neighborhood

Just listed, but not by me, 1320 Angela Street legal duplex located in the ultra quiet Meadows Area of Key West. The listing agent describes this Short Sale property like this:

"Designer Owned Duplex In The Meadows. 1/1 561 Sqft Upstairs, And 2/1 717 Sqft Downstairs. Legal Non-transient License For Two Rentals. Nice Decorative Elements. Permitted Elec. Update 2005. Fenced Back Yard And Front Porch."

This duplex has 1278 sq ft of living space on two floors. The lot is 1960 sq ft (25'x80'). Click GOOGLE MAP for an aerial view and then click the toggle switch for a street view.

Peary Court (former Naval Housing) is located across the street

The asking price on this legal duplex is $435,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.