412 Grinnell Street Key West, Florida

Just Listed 412 Grinnell Street in Key West. I fell in love with this house the first time I stepped inside nearly two decades ago. I believe this was the first eyebrow house I got to see from the inside. The house was deliciously enchanting. That owner (Richard Sheldon) had renovated the  original house, built a new living room and kitchen addition, and added a pool. The home has changed ownership three times since then. The current owners purchased the house through me in 2012 and undertook a thorough renovation and small expansion of the property for which they were awarded the 2015 Historic Florida Keys Ceramic Star for excellence for preservation, restoration, rehabilitation and new construction. Now 412 Grinnell Street is offered for sale. The current owners feel the need to be near their toddler granddaughter and her soon to be sibling and for this reason this home is now offered for sale. 

Eyebrow houses are particularly unique to Key West. They are two story homes which vary in height, width, and size. These houses get the name "eyebrow" because the second floor windows are sheltered by the front roof eave which extends out over the house and supported by columns or posts.  Before electric fans and later air conditioning, shade and natural air flow cooled homes. The windows of an eyebrow house can be left open during rain storms which allows air to flow to cool the rooms.  412 Grinnell Street is one of the larger such homes on the island.

This home was built in 1895. It looks so cute and sweet from the outside. Then when you step inside you know the place is going to be even better than you imagined. Your eyes are immediately drawn past the entry hall and through the living room out to the pool. And what pool it is - a 30' X 10' foot pool and  a 6' X 6' spa. The rear side has a tall privacy fence with native trees and tropical foliage that has grown to adult height.  Later you will learn there are no neighbors to the immediate rear which is Fletchers Lane - a walking lane accessed off Eaton Street, about 100 feet to the north.

The owners did a bundle of projects during the renovation including replacing the metal; replacing piers where required; and installing heart pine floors (aged 200 to 500 years) which look absolutely perfect. All floors on both levels are flat and flawless. All of the HVAC is new.  The owner updated all of the interior spaces, renovated all bathrooms, added wind impact resistant windows and doors where permissible. Every town has a go-to local custom cabinet maker. Hansen & Bringle is that company in Key West. They installed new custom cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms and wainscoting in living and dining rooms.

The kitchen, while relatively recently new, was still renovated. An all too large bank of windows was removed and replaced with a single new window which permitted the installation of upper cabinets. The laundry closet became a pantry and the washer and dryer were placed under the kitchen counter. New SubZero, Wolf, and Miele appliances were added as were new granite counter-tops. One of the best features is the kitchen door which opens out to a little porch where there is an herb garden. The porch leads down to the brick paved driveway with electrically opening gate.

The owners took down the original guest cottage and built an entirely new 23' X 12' guest house. It is located in a separate building just off the covered rear deck. That deck will probably be the most used space in the house besides the bedroom. The guest cottage has a cathedral ceiling punctuated by a round impact glass window near the top of the gable, natural travertine marble floors, and a wet bar with under counter refrigerator. It has a full bath. This cottage and bath mean the entire home has four or five bedrooms (explained below) each with bath. The owner thinks the guest cottage could be used as a master suite.

The guest cottage is located next to the pool which has a gate opens that opens out to Fletchers Lane. Guests can return from a night out in Key West without disturbing the folks in the main house. The newly resurfaced and revamped pool includes a salt water filtration system, LED light show, and remote control programing. Travertine marble coping surrounds the pool and spa. All new Azec decks were installed including the covered rear lanai. The gardens were replanted with native foliage. The owners added an irrigation system to supplement Mother Nature.

Depending on your need, the main house has either four bedrooms and four baths or three bedrooms and a study.  The study or fourth bedroom is located at the right front of the home. It has two stained glass doors and panels. Everybody who sees it goes "Ooh and Aah". This space would inspire any would-be writer, artist, or thinker of great thoughts, or a grandmother who knits booties (do they still do that?) or a grandfather who smokes a pipe (do they still do that, either?). The room has a half bath that is illuminated by a chandelier. The owners had a new stained glass window made with the house numerals which was place in the transom over the front door. The ceramic star is placed above the transom. Passersby at night admire the colors emanating from this room.

The owners use the main floor bedroom as their master. It is located at the front of the house opposite the study/bedroom. About half of the main floor Dade County Pine walls are natural and the remaining walls are painted. The master bedroom has Dade Pine and has a fairly good sized en-suite bath with large shower complete a marine porthole where you can look out to see tropical foliage. I guarantee you will have a smile on your face every day if you use this shower and that's not a bad way to start your day any day.

There are two more bedrooms on the second floor. Notice the windows near floor level and look out to the street. You will then understand the eyebrow concept. The heart pine floors are gorgeous. Each bedroom has a brand new en-suite bath with shower. The rooms are not big, nor are they small. They are how people lived one hundred twenty five years ago except these rooms are air conditioned, have electricity, and have bathrooms.

 The owner traced the history of this home back to the beginning of the island. Every detail of  this old house has been committed to writing and detailed so that future generations may share in the history of this home. I think any potential buyer will appreciate the care that has been given not only to the preservation of the structure but also of the history of the house which the owners call "La Casa Ceja", The Eyebrow House. CLICK HERE to view an album of photos of this beautiful Old Town treasure that has been carefully and thoughtfully restored and made better than ever before. You won't have to do a thing except enjoy your home and make reservations for dinner.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 412 Grinnell Street offered at $1,999,000. The please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am the listing agent on this very special property. You won't find anything comparable at this price. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Key West Short Sale - 1301 Petronia Street

The asking price on this Meadows Area of Key West home was just reduced to $548,100. It is offered as a Short Sale.  1301 Petronia Street,  is a bungalow style home was built in the 1920s.  It has been updated several times over the years but still retains the charm of the homes built during that era. The home has two bedrooms, two baths, plus a loft space on the "second level" which offers additional sleeping area. It has a lovely 30' x 13' swimming pool and potential off street parking as well.  CLICK HERE to view some photos I took of the property.

The listing Realtor describes 1301 Petronia Street as:

"Adorable cottage on a corner lot in the Meadows with a deep front porch which flows to the long side-yard heated and decked pool. There are two bedrooms with en-suite baths plus a large stand-up finished loft (not included in square footage)."

  30' x 13' pool is surrounded by a big deck. The front porch is equally inviting.

 Dining room is currently used by the tenant as an office

Compact but cute kitchen

 

Master bedroom is large and has access to outdoor shower

But the master bath has an insider shower as well...

 Second bedroom plus en-suite bath

Listing agent says there is room for off street parking if fence removed

CLICK HERE to  view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property.  Better than that, call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this really cute Key West bungalow that offers a lot of living space, a wonderful pool, and a quiet neighborhood. I am a Buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

620 Mickens Lane - Short Sale - Back on the Market - Key West

 620 Mickens Lane - Key West, Florida

 Back on the market, this Short Sale at 620 Mickens Lane in Key West, Florida.  This 1237 sq ft house was completed renovated in 2004 and looks in really good condition today. I recently got a chance to show this house and was personally surprised to see how much space is available at such a really attractive asking price: $339,500 or $274 per sq ft.  The listing broker describes this property thus:

"Great CBS home on a quiet lane in Old Town. Just needs some TLC, but was completely renovated in 2004. This three bedroom two bath home has a very bright and open floor plan with French doors that lead out to the private back deck and yard. This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval."

The renovation included all new kitchen, baths, flooring, paint (inside and out), central a/c, roof, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical. The home has a light, airy and open floor plan. Upon entering the house my eyes were immediately draw to the rear where French doors open and continue the flow of the home to a nice size deck and yard that was once landscaped for easy maintenance. The front and rear landscaping is overgrown and out of whack right now but that's an easy fix.  The interior is in move-in condition.

Rear area today

The same area a few years ago. It can look this nice again!

Mickens Lane is a small lane that dead-ends off Angela Street between Thomas Street and Whitehead Street. Duval Street is less than a five minute walk. Ft Zach Taylor State Park and Beach is an easy bike ride or a fifteen minute walk. Mickens is just a half block east of the Shipyard Condominiums for additional point of reference.

Ft. Zach Beach - minutes from home

 CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos of this home.This is a really nice house that does not need any work (other than some new plants) that will sell within a matter of days. If you are looking for a property that won't put you in the poorhouse, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

920 Fleming Street - Old Town- Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 920 Fleming Street in Old Town Key West. The Monroe County Property Appraiser says this grand old house was built circa 1906. I found the black and white photo taken just about fifty years ago.

And just above is 920 Fleming Street as it appears today. That's the nifty thing about living in a town like Key West which values its old homes and works to preserve and keep them as things of beauty.

The listing Realtor describes the new listing this way:

"Pure Classic Conch home in the heart of Old Town with a fully detached 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest home on Hibiscus Lane in the rear. With off street parking, a large deep lot and a wonderful pool, this home has it all! Immaculate and award winning, totaling four bedrooms and 3 baths with hardwood floors & Dade county pine throughout. A great family room sits right off the new gourmet kitchen and covered porches are everywhere for you to relax and enjoy! Truly an entertainers delight! A rare find, walk to everything!"

920 Fleming Street is an impressive large house located on one of the very best blocks in Old Town. The house sits elevated above the street just enough to give a view of the passers-by below.  During Fantasy Fest this must be a great place for friends and family to gather to watch the People Parade. Heck, you can watch the people parade every day here and not get a bit bored.

Inside the front door you are greeted by a grand and gracious staircase that also bisects the home between the formal living and dining area on the east side and the informal family room and recently renovated kitchen on the west side. On this floor you will also find a pretty powder room, a petite pantry, and rear door that leads to the veranda, pool, and guest cottage plus off street parking for two cars.

Upstairs you will find the large master bedroom with en-suite bath plus two large bedrooms, one of which has access to the second floor front balcony overlooking Fleming Street.

The veranda spans the width of the house and provides shade from the Key West sun.  This home has a real pool.

A full guest cottage sits at the back of the property on Hibiscus Lane. The cottage has a living area, kitchen, bath, bedroom, and charm for days. Your guests may never go back home.

 

You can see a slide show of photos of 920 Fleming Street if you CLICK HERE.

920 Fleming Street is offered at $2,195,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.