760 Washington Street - Casa Marina Estate Property - Key West

760 Washington Street - Key West

The new listing at 760 Washington Street in Key West will surely appeal to the buyer who wants an estate type property. This home was newly constructed in 1987. A few years later a new master bedroom wing was added. The house sits on the corner of William and Washington Street in the tony Casa Marina Area of Key West. My friend, Doug Mayberry, is the listing broker who describes this special property this way:

"This Casa Marina estate is located on a double corner lot. The four bedrooms and four baths include a master wing with vaulted ceilings, fireplace and walk in closet. The large kitchen is adjacent to the dining room and large, vaulted living room. French doors open at every turn to over 800 sq. ft. of porches, lanai and an outdoor kitchen for entertaining. The 12 x 24 foot pool is surrounded by professionally landscaped gardens including a koi pond with waterfall. There are carports on both sides of the property and a total of five off-street parking spaces. Secluded, luxurious, and located just steps from the Atlantic Ocean."

This place almost has a storybook look from the street. Every detail on the outside is so fine tuned that you expect nothing but the best on the inside. The house sits at the corner of William and Washington Street. A couple of years ago I wrote a blog post about the house at the end of the opposite en d of the block that was featured in Architectural Digest. This is a neighborhood of mostly large homes on lushly landscaped large lots. 760 Washington Street surely fits right in.

"...you know you have arrived ..."

French doors open from living room out to covered porch

Once you pass the white picket fence and step up to the covered front porch you know you have arrived at someplace very special. Inside you are awed by the size of the living room with its vaulted ceiling and immense space. So many homes in Key West have tiny little rooms or spaces where owners are forced to 'make do' with limited space. Here, there is an abundance of space and volume within which to create your own personal environment.


Just to the left of the living room is the dining area which opens into the kitchen. The spaces flow together with ease. Another doorway off the kitchen opens into the living area. Just to the left is a hallway that leads to the bedrooms. Two bedrooms (one the original master and the other used now used as an office) plus two baths are located in this wing of the house. Multiple sets of French doors open out to the covered porch and enchanting pool and seductive gardens.

Hallway to guest bedrooms and bathrooms

Guest bedroom number one (of three)

Also located just off the kitchen is spiral staircase that leads to a second level loft bedroom. The space is a great escape for the grand kids and guests.

New master bedroom suite with fireplace and other amenities

A new master bedroom wing was added to the west side of the home. Besides the huge master bedroom with fireplace and en-suite bath you will find a large ante-room with wine cooler and walk-in closet. A separate mini kitchen was added where you can get your coffee to wake-up or your nightcap to help you go to sleep.

Be prepared to be seduced...

The porch wraps around the back side of the house at a 90 degree angle and provides covered outdoor access to all parts of the house. A large provides both sun and shaded areas off the large pool. The lanai is extra large and has easy access to the mini kitchen. A night path winds its way through the gardens where you will pass the koi pond. The pool, of course, is the star of this backyard show.

760 Washington Street is offered at $1,985,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. You can also CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this beautiful home. This is an exceptional Key West property. If you would like to see this home, or any other property in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

714 Southard Street - Old Town - Key West

714 Southard Street - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 714 Southard Street in the very heart of Old Town Key West. This Short Sale property is a legal duplex which the listing Realtor describes as:

"Very attractive and completely renovated duplex located on desirable Southard Street in the heart of the Key West historic district. The two story home is configured with a two bedroom, one bath residence downstairs that opens onto a covered rear porch and decked yard with a heated pool and a separate artist studio. Upstairs is a spacious one bedroom, one bath with an enormous sunny deck and great roof and treetop views. Both units are very well maintained and beautifully finished with hardwood floors, high ceilings, central a/c, custom lighting and well-designed modern kitchens. This is a short sale transaction subject to 3rd party lender approval."

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Main level living area opens out to the pool

Poolside views

Artist studio in the rear

Private second floor deck for great views and lots of sunshine

It sits in an eclectic block of conch cottages and larger homes. You can walk to almost anyplace that is truly important within a few minutes. Duval Street is a three minute walk to the west and the Historic Key West Seaport is maybe five to seven minutes to the north. If you run out of bread and milk, Fausto's Food Palace is a five minute walk. Of course you could just walk to any of the dozens of cafes and restaurants (like nearby Sarabeth's) within minutes. 714 Southard Street is offered at $749,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos on this property.

Sarabeth's is one block away from 723 Southard Street

The Garden Cottage is two blocks away and ever so cheerful

Fausto's has a real butcher counter, deli, sushi counter, and superior wine selection -all within easy walking distance from much of Old Town

If you would like to see 714 Southard Street 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.

904 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

904 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Preferred Properties Coastal Realty (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed a large home in the Casa Marina area that will surely appeal to the buyer who wants elegant living on one level. This home has three bedrooms and baths, a den, chef's kitchen, breakfast room, covered and open outdoor living areas, a wonderful pool, a rooftop deck, plus a gated courtyard entry and a carport. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.


The listing Realtor describes 924 Washington Street as:

"Located in the heart of Casa Marina sits this magnificent one level, Mediterranean 3 Bedroom, 3 bath with a laundry room and den. As you enter you are greeted by a bright open living/dining area with French doors leading to a beautiful pool surrounded by tropical landscaping. The kitchen is definitely for cooking with Viking appliances and granite counter tops. Adjacent to the kitchen is a wonderful breakfast area. The master opens to the pool and has a state of the art bathroom with a 7 FT. walk-in shower. The other guest rooms have their own entrances and baths as well. The home is well appointed and has Brazilian flooring and crown molding throughout. Carport. Located just 4 blocks from Higgs Beach."

Everything in this home reflects the owners sense of style and easy living. From the crown molding at ceiling to the Brazilian cherry floors, the home is gracious without being pretentious. Paladin windows are featured above the multiple sets of French doors on the front and rear of the home. When you walk into the formal entry your eyes are immediately drawn through the elegant living room to the sunny pool area beyond.


The chef's kitchen features Viking appliances and custom cabinetry topped with granite countertops. A lovely breakfast room is located just off the kitchen. Sets of French doors open out to the pool or covered outdoor dining area from there.

The breakfast room

The master bedroom is located on the east side of the house. It, too, has French doors topped by paladin windows the look out to the pool. Imagine opening the door and jumping into the heated pool for a quick dip to end your day in Paradise. Two more bedrooms (with private baths) complete the sleeping areas. There is a den up front which has a view of the front courtyard. CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this property.

Master bedroom opens out to the pool

Guest bedroom has private bath and deck

The den and adjacent bedroom have views of front courtyard

Loyal Readers know I live in the Casa Marina area and love the location because it is near everything important in Key West, but it is also removed from the day to day hubbub that sometimes can get a bit overwhelming. The Casa Marina Resort and Higgs Beach are an easy five minute walk. You can join the Casa Marina club and use the beautiful health facilities and lounge by the hotel pool or the private beach and get waited on or you can go over to Higgs Beach and lay on the pier or the beach and tan for free. If your guests want to take you out for dinner, Louie's Backyard is five minutes at most. If you are going to treat your guests to light fare, Salute`on the Beach is just as close and much cheaper. At Salute` you can eat great pastas, burgers, and drink cold beverages while watching others play volleyball or view the sunset from the saner side of the island.

Take a left at the corner and walk four blocks to the beach

The Casa Marina area is convenient for picking up friends at the airport (about five to seven minutes on any day). I can normally be at my office in Old Town in about five minutes by car. The three shopping centers are normally a five to ten minute car ride except when town is extremely crowded. I can be off the island and headed toward the Key West golf course in about ten minutes or toward the mainland.

If you would like to view 904 Washington Street please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida. I live in this neighborhood, and I would love to show you why it is a great place to live.

6 Havana Lane - Old Town - Key West

6 Havana Lane - Old Town - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 6 Havana Lane in Old Town Key West. This is a really sweet three bedroom plus two bath home with a beautiful pool surrounded by tropical foliage. It is in move-in condition and it is priced to sell quickly at just $625,000. Robin Van Mater (At Home in Key West) is the listing Realtor describes the property:

"Relax in comfort and privacy in this lovely Conch Style home with three off street parking spaces. From the moment you walk into this home pride of ownership shows throughout. Immaculate and meticulously maintained from top to bottom, this property is in move-in condition. The first floor has a gracious living room and open floor plan. One first floor bedroom has French doors opening to a lush garden area. Another bedroom, with a separate entrance, is situated on the second floor, making it ideal for those out of town guest or relatives. Enjoy breakfast or cocktails sitting around the heated pool. All within walking distance to world famous Duval Street."

Dining room can also be used as a third bedroom - note closet to the right rear

Master bedroom with vaulted ceiling and French doors that open to the garden

The main floor has a very informal and welcoming feel which works perfectly for our laid back Key West lifestyle. The living room and kitchen share a big open space. The master bedroom with a tall vaulted ceiling and French doors that open to the lush garden is located at the rear. A second bedroom is located on this level. The current owners use that space as a dining room. (Que Serra Serra.) Upstairs you will find another bedroom and bath. That room has treetop views looking down to the garden. It is very private! Every thing on the inside shines like it was just painted. Every detail is crisp and clean.

The outside is equally charming. The kidney shaped pool is perfectly situated to get great sun exposure. The garden is lush but not overdone nor overgrown. The surrounding homes almost look like they were put in place by a scenic director in a movie. It's hard not to fall in love with a setting this enchanting. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.

Enchanted garden area

6 Havana Lane is located a half block north of Truman Avenue and one block west of White Street. CLICK GOOGLE MAP for an aerial view of the area. The property is close to commercial activity for sure, but is is just as close to other very laid back retreats that are actively rented as vacation rentals or used as full time residences. This home was also previously used as a vacation rental and could easily be used that way by a new owner. This home is offered at $625,000 and in my opinion it is a bargain. I think the sales price reflects the challenge of the location. A smart buyer will look at the house and "I accept the challenge". A similar property located in the heart of Old Town will likely cost you about $300,000 more. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I recently took of this property.

If you would like to see this house 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.

718 Olivia Street - Old Town - Key West

718 Olivia Street - Old Town- Key West

If you are looking for a "project house" on a big lot and situated in a good Old Town location, you may want to take a look at 718 Olivia Street which was just listed at the asking price of $679,000. The listing Realtor describes the property thus:

"A grande historic house built between 1899 and 1912. 5 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. Large LR, DR and kitchen. Beautiful hardwood floors. High ceilings and 23 large windows create a steady flow of light and air. 9401 sqft lot with BIG 85' x 65' back yard. Easy walk or pedal to anywhere in Old Town."

The listing Realtor states "Sanborn Insurance map shows house built btwn (between) 1899 and 1912". I found a photo of the house from half a century ago that shows the house without all of the current trees and assorted foliage.

Photo from 1965

Photo from 2011 - note the cinder block front fence

Photo from January 2012

A huge Royal Poinciana tree dominates the front yard today. The front porch today still has the same wrought iron posts as shown in the 1960s vintage photo as well as the jalousie windows and the concrete block front fence.

East side of the property

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos of this home. You will note that the listing states this house has 1538 sq ft of living space. The property site is much larger than the photos suggest. The front parcel (where the house is located) occupies only about 2600 sq ft of the entire 9401 sq ft lot. The remaining lot is located at the west rear of the front parcel. That is the space where one would likely add a pool and/0r guest quarters.

If you are looking for a renovation project in the Old Town Key West area this may be the house you have been searching for. The house certainly has street appeal and the yard space is just huge. Creating a viable plan for the property as a whole is the key to making a project like this work. We have several knowledgeable local architects that could help a buyer develop a winning concept for this one of a kind property.

I sold the beautiful home next door at 716 Olivia Street a couple of years ago. Before it was recently updated 716 Olivia looked similar to the way it appeared for decades as shown in the old black and white photo.

716 Olivia Street as it looked in 1965

716 Olivia Street as it appears in January 2012

What could you do to improve 718 Olivia Street? Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a view of this property. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.