1617 White Street - Key West

1617 White Street - Key West, Florida

 I recently had the opportunity to show 1617 White Street and decided to share some photos I took and offer my impressions of this incredible tropical estate that is located one block from Higg's Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

The listing Realtor at Preferred Properties describes this property thus:

"This splendid tropical estate rests on 25013 square feet of land and extends from White Street right through to Sirugo Avenue. The completely renovated elevated residence has ocean views from the cupola and rooftop deck and a dramatic vista across the pool and lawn to the spectacular waterfall. In addition to the luxurious poolside master suite and two guest bedrooms with en suite baths, there is a charming study in the tower and a very efficient office overlooking the pool. This home was featured in the Oct. '01 issue of Architectural Digest. There is a whole-house generator and a hurricane protection system. For additional money, an adjoining property of two units having a total of 3 bedrooms,3 baths and a pool may also be purchased."

The present owner purchased the main house in 1997 and engaged local architect Tom Pope and brought in designer Thomas Achilles (who had designed other projects for the owner). The trio collaborated to transform the orignal house into something truly unique. The most prominent feature visible from the street is the widow's walk. Historically, widow's walks were places where sailors' wives would climb to look out to the sea to search for the returning ships.  Wireless radio made those roof top perches needless. Since the original house was only built in 1983,  the widows' walk was more a follie than a necessity when built. Yet it was this novel feature that attracted many an eye a block away at nearby Higg's Beach or at the city park across the street. The new owner and his design team expanded the widows' walk by adding a rooftop sundeck.
 The palms at the front of the residence now obscure much of the front facade and widows' walk from public view. But the widows' walk is still the most prominent feature when viewed from the rear.

The owner was quoted in the Architectural Digest piece "Key West has Cuban sensuality and a Caribbean irreverence. At the same time, the island has a distinctly American individualism and a clear-stated preference for charm and history that can only be European. We tried to make sure our home blended all of these elements."
I guess I would describe the house as British Colonial Revival. The front veranda features an elaborate front door, decorative crown pediments, and double sets of windows on either side of the front entry. The interiors are rich in design and color. The designer used used a color pallet of tans, caramels, creams, and magenta that were set off by crisp white trim. 
 The home has 3259 sq ft of living space under air that includes formal entry, elegant living area and views to the front and rear,  three bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, and the roof top widows' walk with its 360 degree views of the Island of Key West. The entire property is fenced and lighted. There is bricked off street parking for several vehicles.
Although the main entry is Key West casual, you know upon entry this is not s typical Key West property. The front door opens into the entry which then expands to the right where the living room is located. That space is quite large and has multiple sitting areas. The fireplace, one of three in this home, is the focal point of this area.

The rear wall of the living room and adjacent formal dining room is actually multiple sets of French doors that open out onto the covered veranda that wraps around the rear of the home. Note the bay window effect of the French doors.

Bay window off the dining room

Fireplace on south end of the veranda

The master suite (below) has multiple sets of French doors that open out to the veranda as well.  The suite as presently configured includes a large office area which might easily become a media room, the bedroom chamber with fireplace, luxurious master bath, and an adjacent mini kitchen. 

View from office

View from the master bedroom

There are two bedrooms on the second floor each of which has an en-suite bath.  And finally there is the widows' walk and sundeck which offer amazing views of the south end of the island, the nearby ocean, and the beautiful park-like garden to the rear.  Guests here will truly never want to go home.

 After completing the renovation and expansion of the main house, the owner purchased abutting properties to the rear. Existing houses were razed to expand the rear of the property where a park-like botanical garden was created complete with massive waterfall plus an nearby bandstand for large gatherings. The resulting property is an irregular rectangle that roughly measures 100 feet x 225 feet.
When you enter the home your eyes are immediately drawn through the house, past the pool and the garden to the sputtering waterfall literally located a block away. You don't see sights like that in Key West nor most places. The effect is quite dramatic.

The waterfall demands attention. It commands first time visitors to walk through the garden to the foot of pond where the water collects. While wandering toward the pool I passed a myriad varieties of fruit and citrus trees, flowering trees, and palm trees of all kinds. The garden is amazing.

Ten foot tall waterfall at the rear of the palm grove

Of course there is a huge swimming pool with its own waterfall, a Jacuzzi, an outdoor shower, a pool kitchen and pool laundry (for pool towels, of course). A sunny deck  surrounds the pool. An expansive loggia provides ample entertaining areas for many guests.  Hilary Clinton was a guest of honor at a campaign event held here a few years ago. I heard there were about five hundred supporters present.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls data sheet on this wonderful Key West property.  And CLICK HERE to view the photos I took. I can't take much pride in these pics. It was my first time with a new Nikon and I didn't do as well as I planned.

1075 Duval Street #R32 - Licensed to Make Money - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, a Bank Owned condo located at 1075 Duval Street in Duval Square.  This property will certainly attract a lot of potential buyers very quickly because it has a Transient Rental License and it is a 3 bedroom unit. Both of these features mean that a new owner could rent this property on a daily basis throughout the year and make a potential fortune over a period of years. Read on, Dear Readers.

This property was previously managed by a local property management company that described this unit this way:

"Located in Duval Square (between Duval Street and Simonton Street) where fine and varied dining abounds (Square One, Origami Sushi Restaurant and New York Garden Cafe), Casa Key West is a second story, well priced unit sitting atop New York Cafe and is just steps from the sights, sounds and excitement of world-famous Duval Street.

The foyer opens to the expansive living room with vaulted ceilings, dining room with seating for six and kitchen. Three banks of double French doors opens to your private balcony overlooking the tropical gardens around New York Garden Cafe and large Poinciana tree. Two large, brightly colored macaws in the courtyard will amuse you with their antics.

The master bedroom has a king bed and French doors opening onto a private porch with seating. An in-suite bath with large Jacuzzi tub, shower and large vanity completes this spacious bedroom. The second bedroom features a queen bed, large walk-in closet and frosted French doors opening to the hallway.

The third bedroom has two twins or a king bed and double French doors opening to a private balcony. The queen bedroom and twin bedroom share a large hallway bath with skylight.

This spacious unit has access to a large pool and covered gazebo. On the ground floor is a secured garage for parking your vehicle."

New York Pizza

Please note that none of the furniture or contents are included in the property at this time. The place is vacant.  Not to fret, however, as this gives a new owner the chance to go in and re-outfit the place the way he, or she, or they, or you want.  Below you will see photos from the former property management website that show how the unit was previously furnished.  Then look at the photos I have added that show the unit as it sits today.  Figure how you could improve this place, make it your own, and make it make you a bunch of moo la.

3rd Bedroom

Master Bath

Master Shower

Second Bath

The previous property management company rented the unit between $318-$428 per night depending on the date and the number of people using the unit. I always encourage potential buyers to look at numerous property management websites to checkout the rental prices of similar units to one they are considering to purchase.  A new owner might want to go back to the prior property management company which probably has a database of previous happy vacationers who would like to stay in the same unit again. People are creatures of habit. Many return to stay in the same condo year after year because they feel comfortable. This is an intangible value often overlooked by prospective buyers.

I am a big fan of small spaces and tiny places, but sometimes, let's face it, bigger is better. If you and your family have traveled to Key West and have stayed in a Shipyard Condominium, for example,  you would have likely stayed in a two bedroom unit with one bath because that is how most were built.  A typical unit there is about 680 sq ft.  Compare an average Shipyard unit to this unit which is 1492 sq ft on one level.

This unit has three bedroom and two baths as opposed to two bedrooms and one bath at Shipyard.  Families traveling together can often accommodate the tighter quarters because they typically live together back home. But friends or extended families may not appreciate the noises and cramped quarters associated with smaller spaces. And, there is a private balcony located off of each bedroom.

Master Bedroom Deck

 Also consider the size of the pool and number of people who you might likely have to share  with. Finally, the transient licensed units at Shipyard may only be rented as transient units for 25 weeks per year. This unit at Duval Square can be rented to a different person 365 days a year.  That's not practical but it points out the money making potential of this unit over Shipyard as just one example. I like Shipyard, don't get me wrong. This place just has more income potential in my opinion.

This town home unit is part of the condominium association. An owner must pay $489.95 in monthly fees which covers cable, trash removal, exterior maintenance and building insurance, and common area and pool maintenance.

Duval Square has a nice rooftop pool, covered parking, and a great location which is within easy walking distance to most of Old Town. It is located on the quieter side of the Island but close enough that you can be where you want within a matter of minutes during most of the year.  There are a couple of nice restaurants at the Square and a lot more within a couple of blocks including Among my favorites are world famous La Te Da, 915 Restaurant,  and many more. South Beach is an easy jaunt to the south. Ft. Zach Taylor Beach is a good hike, but you'll enjoy the walk or bike ride to get there.  Mallory Square and the pubs of lower Duval Street are there for those who have a passion for crowds. And then there all those T Shirt Shops, galleries, and places for cheap eats where you can enjoy all that Key West has to offer.

LaTeDa

915 Duval Restaurant

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. Or CLICK HERE to view photos I took of this unit and Duval Square.  A few years ago I worked at a different real estate office which was located at Duval Square. I would watch new groups of tourists arrive daily to take up residence at one of the units located there.  This place draws a lot of vacationers. It is convenient. This is a property you really ought to consider. And you need to act quickly because this place will not last long, especially at this price.

If you would like to see this unit or discuss the property, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Buy this unit and start making money.

1309 Catherine Street - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work, but this is not my listing, 1309 Catherine Street in Key West.  Some very lucky person is going to snap up this one-of-a-kind property that is offered at just $1,195,000.

If you were to walk your dog, ride your bike, or jog past the imposing concrete wall that hides the interior from public view you might wonder what lies beyond the wall. But then again, you might just mind your own business and go on with your life. But if you got a chance to go through the gate to the interior you would be amazed at the totally hidden and unexpectedly enchanting secluded gardens.

The house itself is a simple but elegant 1200 sq ft ranch that sits at the rear of the 7340 sq ft lot.  The house has two bedrooms. The guest bed and bath are located to the west of the living room which is in the center of the house. The kitchen is located just off the living room to the east and the master suite is at the east end of the home. You will find the terazzo floors located at poolside continue to the kitchen and living areas for a seamless transition between outdoor and indoor living areas. The ceilings in all rooms are extra tall and open so you never feel cramped inside a tiny space. Instead, the views from all interior rooms are those of the pool and gardens.

Both the master suite and the guest bedroom have sitting areas off the bedrooms where you and your guests can read a book, sip coffee or a cocktail, and enjoy the fruits of your good fortune.

CLICK HERE to take a photo tour of 1309 Catherine Street. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a personal tour. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.