Key West Beachside Resort - Unit No. 432 - Bank Owned Condo

Key West Beachside Resort

Model Unit Photos - Key West Beachside Resort

A lot of people in my generation (the baby boomers) are already making plans as to where they will spend their reclining years. Many will keep a place up north for the summer and want a place in Florida for the winter. There's nothing new about that. Except there are going be so many of us soon-to-be-retirees that there may be a run on retirement places in Florida. I don't think our generation will be ready for the nursing home type facility. Instead I think a lot of us may want a place that has all of the convenience of a home with lots of amenities, no yard work, and limited housekeeping required. That's why I think the Key West Beachside Resort might make an excellent place to retire to.


The Beachside Resort is located at the east end of the island of Key West. It's close enough to drive to Old Town to see a play, to dine at a great eatery, or to party with friends. It is conveniently located near our three shopping centers. The airport and several marinas are all within a mile or so. And the Key West Golf Course is only five minutes away.

The units are designed such that the formal entry provides access to the "guest" bedroom (or second transient rental) which abuts but is not inside the main residence. I can imagine that an older couple might live in the main residence and possibly use the second bedroom by a live-in when and if that might become necessary.


Think about the luxury of calling downstairs and having the restaurant deliver your dinner to your residence on a night you don't feel like cooking or going out for dinner. If you are reading this and think my logic is a little strange, consider the cost of living in a typical assisted living facility. The Beachside Resort would not substitute for a person who needs a nursing home type facility, but it would be a great alternative for someone who is healthy that wants a no maintenance environment with lots of amenities and convenient to Key West locations.


The Beachside Resort has all of the amenities you would expect including a private beach, huge pool with poolside bar and grill, gym, lush tropical gardens, private parking, plus the hotel amenities including concierge service and restaurants. Imagine the convenience of having all of that available every day.

Unit No. 432 is Bank Owned and the asking price was just reduced to $549,500. or $405 per sq ft for this 1357 sq ft two bedroom, two bath and one-half bath luxury condominium with features that exceed what you will likely not find elsewhere in Key West and certainly not in this price range. The unit comes furnished. The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"This condo is located on the top floor and offers additional outdoor space with a roof top deck and amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico. This unit is 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and will be sold with 2 transient rental licenses and all of the modern furnishing needed. The unit can be divided into 2 separate living spaces (A+B) which can be rented separate from one another, this is ideal for separate rentals. The waterfront resort offers a large heated swimming pool, a spa, a fitness center, a beautiful beach and the best restaurants on the island."

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls listing data sheet and photos for Unit No. 432. Be sure to notice the monthly association fees of $1668 which include "Exterminating, Trash Removal, Building Exterior Maintenance, Building Insurance, Common Area Maintenance, Pool Maintenance, and Security". I've been to the Beachside Resort many times. The place is a total class act each time and all the time. You will be proud to have your friends and family visit you. You may rent or not rent your unit as well. The unit comes with two Transient Rental Licenses which permit rentals on a daily basis which can go through the hotel or through a property management company of your choosing.

Compare this bath to what you might expect to see in a similarly priced condo elsewhere in Key West. No comparison!

If you would like to see this unit or any other property 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.

Home Buy Chirstmas

Take a look at the above photo of the big old Revival Style house at 630 Elizabeth Street. It sits at the tippy top of Solares Hill in Old Town Key West. It looks kind of sad and neglected. But it has the character and good bones that attract would-be restorers, people with imagination, strong backs, big arms, and a deep purse.

I took the photos below late Monday afternoon from the second floor that overlooks Windsor Lane as it heads toward the Key West cemetery and also Elizabeth Street where it intersects Angela and Windsor Lane. The views are genuinely incomparable because there is not another house with a similar commanding views.

Elizabeth Street looking northerly

Windsor Lane to the east

Anglea Street meets Elizabeth Street and merges into Windsor Lane

I found some old photos of 630 Elizabeth Street and the house across the street to the south. These photos put the house into context with the neighborhood and it's location atop Solares Hill.

630 Elizabeth was built in 1887 and was originally a store on the ground
level and had living space on the second floor. The above photo was taken in 1965.

"Intersection" of Angela Street at Elizabeth Street in 1965

1930s photo taken by WPA shows back side of 630 Elizabeth (on left)

The second storey front porch is missing. I can only imagine how grand the porch could be for a new owner sipping coffee in the morning or nursing a cocktail in the evening. Modern window unit air conditioners hang out over the sidewalk. The house would look so much better if only it were lovingly restored.

The house has good bones. It needs to be saved.

Plans have been approved by HARC to convert the present legal duplex into a single family residence. The plans provide for 2300 sq ft of living space on two floors plus conversion of some attic space. HARC even approved a rear third story porch off the rear. The HARC approved architect's plans convey with purchase.

There are several projects going on in Old Town right now where big houses are getting redone. A couple are shown just below.

1016 James Street as seen in 2010 before it was purchased for renovation

1016 James Street in December 2011 as renovation begins

1016 James Street when photographed in the 1930s by the WPA

730 Southard Street summer 2011

Work has finally started on 730 Southard Street - December 2011

1030 Fleming Street was a bank owned "MESS" two years ago

Work is almost complete - December 2011

The above photo shows the second floor interior of 630 Elizabeth Street. The place was modernized in the 1960s. The space is large and has lots of potetial. The ten foot tall walls and ceilings have Dade County Pine and the glass has historic wrinkles it is so old. The views and cross breezes up here are just great. Before air conditioning, windows provided the main cooling for houses like this. Since this house is located at the highest point in Key West, it naturally has the best breezes. And a new owner won't have to buy flood insurance.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos on this property. This is my listing. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com for more information. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. If you play your cards right, this could be your Home Buy Christmas this year and your home by Christmas next year.

628 Elizabeth Street - next door to 630 Elizabeth - cute as can be

1106 Pearl Street - Key West

1106 Pearl Street - Key West, Florida

Are you looking for a small investment property that you could turn into a retirement place in a few years? If so, you might want to consider the new legal duplex just listed at 1106 Pearl Street near Old Town Key West. This property is located one half block south of Bayview Park where a small Christmas village with miniature Conch Houses and Santa's Workshop spontaneously appeared after Thanksgiving.

Christmas Town at Bayview Park in Key West

The listing Realtor describes this duplex this way:

"This sweet duplex offers a 2/1 and a 1/1 plus den. It makes a great rental property but would also work well for an owner/occupier who wants rental income. Each unit has it's own yard space and privacy. Convenient location near HOB school and Bayview Park."

I dug into the shoe box and found an old photo of 1106 Pear Street which is shown above. According to the photo, 1106 Pearl Street was actually built in 1906. Compare that to the way the house looks in December 2011 with all the Key West foliage in front.

A new owner could clean up a lot of the palms and maybe brick that driveway and perhaps add a white picket fence. The property is presently a legal duplex. Both units have long term tenants who have been in residence for several years. The house itself has 1252 sq ft of living space and sits on a 40' x 90' (3668 sq ft) lot. The asking price is just $435,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls data sheet on this property.

If you would like to see this property or any other property 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.

846 Olivia Street - Old Town - Key West

846 Olivia Street - Key West - built circa 1908

846 Olivia Street in Old Town Key West was recently returned to the market at the new asking price of just $439,000 or $242 per sq ft for this 1871 sq ft home that sits on a 36'x58' lot. I found an old photo (above) of this old house (built in 1908) showing the way it appeared in 1965. The photo below shows a similar view in 2011. The listing agent says the building was originally a tobacco barn. The agent describes the current use this way:

"Truly an unique Key West Property with entrances on Olivia and Packer across from the Cemetery. Originally this was a Tobacco Barn which has been renovated with recycled materials. On the first level you have a living room, bedroom and a new kitchen with the newest energy saving stainless steel appliances, front porch and side porch. Upstairs there are two spacious bedrooms with a spa bathroom and a small terrace. There is off Street parking on the Packer side."

2011 view of 846 Olivia Street with off street parking

Note the mother-in-law's sitting porch

Main entrance to house is on Packer Street which also has a porch

The house is divided between the main house and what I'll call a mother-in-law suite complete with kitchen and bath. The main part of the house has a slick and sparse look that totally surprised me. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The galley kitchen is 'arty' and minimalist. The stairs to the second floor seem to float. The two bedrooms and bath are located up there. The mother-in-law part of the house is located on the main level only. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more photos of this property.

The house is located at the corner of Packer and Olivia Streets. CLICK HERE for a GOOGLE MAP view of the area. Packer is just one block long at this location. Olivia is a one way street that heads east on the south side of the Key West cemetery. Many folks won't consider a house that is located across from the cemetery. But they should. Homes on any side of the cemetery have great open skies views. And the neighbors are ever so quiet at night. There are no guesthouses, apartment buildings or commercial properties nearby so you won't have to fight for a place to park your car. The house has a parking space anyway.

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