310 Amelia Street - Key West - Bank Owned

Just listed, but not by me, 310 Amelia Street in the Bahama Village area of Key West.  This three bedroom/two bath house with pool and off street parking was built new (not remodeled nor updated) in 2001.  It has 1548 sq ft of living space under air plus a prominent front porch for people watching and an extra-large rear loggia that wraps around the rear side of the home. And it is Bank Owned and is offered for sale at $749,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. The listing Realtor describes this new listing this way:

"This three Bedroom and two bath newer construction home in the Historic District was built by a builder for a builder. Large lot with heaps of off-street parking, a large in-ground pool, enormous master suite and two zone AC." 

Locals and returning vacationers will recall that the Bahama Village was undergoing quite the renaissance a decade ago when housing prices in Old Town reached a point that spurred buyers to consider less costly parts of town to buy, remodel, or build new. The beautiful house on the corner was built new during that time as well. A lovely home across the street was stylishly updated and a pool added to that property. And 310 Amelia Street was built new. It incorporated all the new Florida building code requirements adopted after Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida (not Key West) a couple of years earlier.

The main floor great room is spacious and provides easy access to the rear deck and pool area or the second floor bedrooms. There is a built in breakfast bar that provides informal dining space whilst the cook makes prepares a meal in the large kitchen. Note the dishwasher and microwave oven were removed. A new owner might just update all appliances and give the space a total new look. That's not necessary but it might make sense.

There are two bedrooms that share a single bath on the second floor. The east bedroom has immediate access via a pocket door. The west bedroom has access via door in the hallway. Note that both bedroom ceilings appear to look like the spaces may have been converted into bedrooms. That is not the case. I don't know the specifics of the design of this house, but I do know that our Historic Architectural Review Commission likes to see new construction that looks similar to but not be a copycat of other homes in an area. The bedroom and bath spaces work great and provide total privacy from the master bedroom that is located off the great room in the rear section of the home.

 The little "dormer" off the backside of the second floor roof is the second floor landing. It provides daytime light to the second floor bedrooms and adds a bit a architectural flair to the house as a whole.

I attended a Christmas party in this home several years ago. I recall that the master bedroom suite included a mini living area as well. This room is huge and has lots of space for lounging or computing or whatever you do in your bedroom besides sleeping. 

French doors open from the master suite onto the loggia that wraps the rear portion of this home. The owner has a private area away from the pool but close enough to keep an eye on the kids or grand kids. Oh, and did you notice there is a real pool and not a pretend pool? 

I think this home might make a very good vacation rental.  The separation between the main floor master suite and the two upstairs bedrooms provides privacy. The house is located just two blocks from Duval Street. I went over to Duval Street early this morning and took a photo where Amelia and Duval Street meet.  310 Amelia Street is located within easy walking distance to Ft. Zach Taylor State Park and Beach or the South Beach at the end of Duval Street. LaTeDa, Banana Cafe, and Denny's are all within a couple blocks from Amelia. The rest of Old Town Key West is within an easy walk of pedicab ride.  Tourists will love it.

CLICK HERE to view the rest of the photos I took of this new listing.  After you have looked at the photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up an appointment to see 310 Amelia Street. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

822 Carsten Lane - Key West - Old Town Dream Cottage

 I have often written about living life on one of the slow lanes in Key West. The slow lanes are for meant for people that are happy about their personage and don't require a lot of attention.  Some lanes are nearly hidden from passersby. Others sometimes have multiple names just to confuse firemen and tourist alike.  Carsten Lane has been known as Carson Lane, Carsten Lane, and Carstens Lane. It historically had signs at opposite ends of the one block long lane that zigs and zags between William Street to Margaret Street to the east.  The old Harris School is located to the north and the ever so charming Carey Lane is to the rear. Carsten Lane is home to some of the prettiest little homes on the Island of Key West, and 822 Carsten Lane is one of the prettiest of these homes. And it is now for sale. Read on, Dear Readers.

Just listed, but not by me, 822 Carsten Lane in the Old Town area of Key West. This house is close to nearly everything you would want but tucked away on a very slow lane.The listing Realtor describes this property as an

"Elegant renovation of a gorgeous historic home on a quiet lane in the heart of Old Town Key West. Hardwood floors, custom designer kitchen with Bosch & Miele appliances, granite countertops and designer finishes. High ceilings, crown molding, luxurious appointments. Located near Solares Hill in highly desirable neighborhood of multi-million dollar homes. Large tropical yard with pool and covered 272 square foot outdoor living room create an oasis of privacy and luxury to enjoy our tropical breezes. Off-street parking, walk to restaurants, seaport, theater, shopping and nightlife. A Tranquil Oasis For Luxury Island Living"

Before writing today's blog I looked at the old Sanborn Maps and found 822 Carsten Lane placed on the 1899 edition.  Except at that time the lane was named "Carson".  The now vacant Harris School was not on the map in 1899, but i did find numerous cottages located across the lane and on Margaret and Southard Streets. Later all of the old houses and cottages were razed to make way for the Harris Elementary School where generations of Key Westers were educated. I dug into the old shoe box and found the black and white a photo of 822 Carsten Lane taken in 1965.  I took a similar photo that shows the house today.  While looking in the shoe box I found photos of the sixth grade class in 1959. That's the same year I was a sixth grader in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. My class looked and dressed pretty much the same - except the boys did not wear their safety patrol belts in class. I'll bet Mr. McCully served during World War II and ran the safety patrol para-military style. My sixth grade teacher, Mr. Morrison did.  I found another photo of kids playing during recess. You can nearly see Carsten Lane in the background.  When I first moved to Key West in December 1993 the Harris School Annex was used as part of the MARC House. The MARC House was the place to go buy the best Christmas trees. A few years later the annex building was razed.  The photos of the sixth graders and the razed school building make me feel my age. You see the new building was torn down because it was old and useless. I was born before that building was built. Now it's gone. How would you feel?

822 Carsten Lane in 1965

822 Carsten Lane August 2013

The Harris School Annex was built after the above photo and was razed several years ago. Carsten Lane is in background.

The Harris School Annex

This is where the Harris School Annex used to be located.

822 Carsten Lane is pretty as a picture. It is for that reason that I took a whole of photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE. Click on any photo to enlarge and start a slide show.  The photos show the house from the front entrance to the rear gate that opens onto Carey Lane. The house itself is 1412 sq ft on two levels. The main floor has been tastefully updated with a gracious great room that flows into the kitchen and out to the loggia. Two bedrooms and two baths are also located on this floor. The front bedroom would be suitable to use as a master suite should taking the stair be a chore at a later moment in life. The coffered ceiling and crisp white moldings and trim whisper "class".

 

The second floor can be used as either the master suite or as a secluded guest suite.  The area includes a small sitting niche, a hidden closet, a spacious bath, and lots of irregularly angled walls that give this room so much character.

822 Carsten Lane has been rented as a vacation rental. The monthly rental rates varies depending on the date and number of person occupying the home. High season runs $19,000 per month.  A potential buyer will be forced to decide between sharing this beautiful house with others or foregoing income to keep this wonderful space very private. Renting is an option, not a requirement.  CLICK HERE to view professional photos of this home.

822 Carsten Lane is offered at $1,395,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos.  I have a better suggested and that is for you to call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com to set up a private showing of this remarkable Key West home. It will knock your socks off! I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.