Key West Hotels Closed for Renovation

A couple of days ago I showed a home at the Key West Golf Club. As we crossed over Cow Key Channel and approached the Island of Key West, I was surprised as I drove forward only to see piles of building rubble.  Several of the1960s and 1970s era hotels built at the triangle where US 1 and Roosevelt Boulevard meet were in various stages of demolition or renovation.  As my car headed westerly toward Old Town I saw more hotels were closed, some with the front facades ripped off.  Then I recalled that an investor group had purchased these hotels several months ago and announced plans for a major renovation of the properties. 

I found one article that discussed the renovation project which you can read if you CLICK HERE. The short version is that a Charleston investor group purchased the Days Inn, Quality Inn, Lexington Hotel, and Quality Inn.  According to the article, the combined hotels had 534 guest rooms and 155 employees.  Plans called for extensive renovation and put a price tag of $30 million to complete the project.

Yesterday afternoon I went back to the area to take some photos for this blog. The Days Inn remains standing, but the room facades are all gone. Some last remnants of the Holiday Inn still stood on Tuesday, but the giant wrecker was well on its way to total destruction of that property as well. The Lexington Hotel still stands, but it is an ugly reminder to the architecture of the 1960s when boxy "architecture" ruled. Two more big hotels are being gutted for similar renovation.  CLICK HERE too see all of the photos. 

As we drove toward Old Town I told my buyers that on August 28th I blogged about the sale of the Southernmost Hotel Group for $184 million and that in May the Pier House Resort and Spa were sold for $90 million. CLICK HERE.

I went back to the hotel-motel project to take photos mid afternoon on Tuesday. We don't see a lot of construction like this on our little island. When I returned home I began searching for old photos of the same area. They show the development of the general vicinity over the decades starting during the Great Depression followed by World War II aerial photos. The final photo was taken in 1970s.  It shows the original Holiday Inn where the current Beachside Resort is now situated.  The salt ponds had been filled in. Two of the four hotels had been built when the color photo was taken.

The two above photos show North Roosevelt Boulevard as it curves westerly toward Old Town. These photos were taken in the 1930s by members of the WPA (Works Progress Administration). The motels and hotels would later be built to the rear and just to the left of this area. 

The above aerial photo shows US 1 as it crosses over Cow Key Channel and curves to the right as it leads toward Old Town. The triangular parcel to the right was later filled and expanded. The original Holiday Inn was built on this site and later demolished to make way for the Beachside Condominiums. The area to the near south became the Naval hospital.  The Casa Roma is located to the far south. That area was later more fully developed into single family homes, condominiums, and time shares.  

1941

Roosevelt Boulevard is seen at the junction with US 1. The curve to the right is now known as North Roosevelt Boulevard and South Roosevelt Boulevard heads the opposite direction. The adjacent salt ponds to the west were filled and became the base on which the hotels and motels were built. 

1945

1960

After I finished taking the photos I returned to my car which I had parked at the Marriott Beachside Resort. I think the Beachside Resort is very attractive. The grounds are always meticulously maintained.  Little berms covered with neatly trimmed grass, tall palms, and tropical foliage make the resort landscaping a standout.  As I neared my car I wondered whether the renovations across Roosevelt Boulevard would include similar lush landscaping and whether the hotels would look any more interesting than they did before the renovation. These hotels mark the entrance to our little town. I hope that the developer does more than update the rooms and clean up the facades.  

1301 Newton Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

I recently had the opportunity to show 1301 Newton Street which is located at the corner of Newton and Florida Streets in the Meadows Area of Key West or two blocks east of Old Town proper. The Monroe County Property Appraiser identifies this home as having been built in 1943. I know that is not right because we were still involved in World War II at that time and houses in the Old Town environs were not being built the. So I searched the Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West and found what I believe to be 1301 Newton Steet on the 1892 Sanborn Fire Map. The city had not yet assigned street numbers to each property. To complicate matters the street name for the exact location was then called "Rawson" not Newton. However, the next block to the west was clearly identified as Newton Street.  No matter, I am confident that the house identified today as 1301 Newton Street existed as of 1892.  See the black and white photo below which shows how the house looked in 1965. Compare that with the color photo below.

Today you will see that the house has been renovated to include a second floor addition. The Property Appraiser's records do not show when the second floor addition was added.  I can tell you that I think it would be highly unlikely that a full second floor addition like that would be permitted today. That's not inferring anything negative about this property, but stating the HARC (Historic Architectural Review Commission) guideline against such a drastic redo. The second floor addition added 513 sq ft of living space. The main level now has 828 sq ft of interior living space. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos.

 The listing Realtor, not me, describes 1301 Newton Street this way:

"The Meadows is one of the most desirable residential neighborhoods in Key West. This renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has an open floor plan downstairs with fine wood floors and a cook's mod kitchen. French doors lead to an outside living/dining deck area with room for a hot tub. Downstairs has 2 bedrooms and full bath. The master suite is upstairs and there are French doors leading to a large and lovely tree-shaded balcony. On-street parking is easy! The lot is 1624 sf making this an extremely low-maintenance home. Neither off-street parking nor a swimming pool are possible. The simplicity and style of this home in this wonderful neighborhood presents an outstanding value. ONE BLOCK STROLL TO OLD TOWN."

The house sits behind a white picket fence. The front gate leads to a small courtyard entrance and pleasant front porch. I had shown this home many years ago. Even though I had reviewed the mls listing before showing this home, I was not prepared for the new more contemporary look this home has. I was really impressed by the openness and clean lines the owners used to make this home more appealing to modern day living. The newly added pine floors shine and provide unifying look throughout the two floors.

The bright contemporary kitchen is located at the rear.  An innovative breakfast bar does double duty by providing eating space and storage space below.  The large kitchen window provides wonderful daytime light. Abundant nighttime light is also present. I mention this because too many redos leave simple little things like lighting 'undone'. Such is not the case here where even the interior glass enclosed upper cabinets are illuminated.

There are two bedrooms located on the main floor. You can see the larger of the two which is located just off the kitchen. The other bedroom is located at the very front of the home. Both are the main floor bath which is also where the laundry is located. 

The pine stairway leads to the second floor which is the master bedroom suite. A door at the top of the stairs locks this area off from the kids or guests below. The space up here is quite large compared to most homes you'd expect to see in Old Town or Meadows Area homes. There is more than adequate to provide a sitting area, office or computer workspace, large walk-in closet, plus access to the second level front deck.  The master bath is located here as well. 

A set of French doors at the front of the bedroom lead to the second floor front deck that overlooks Newton Street below. The tree shown in the black and white photo has grown quite large and provides natural shading for the house and especially the deck. This would make the perfect perch for people watching.  

Windows and doors throughout this house have been recently replaced.  The exterior siding has likewise been recently painted.  I did not see any deferred maintenance. Downstairs there is a deck located at the east rear side of the house. A gate from the front provides easy access for using this space for bike or sport storage.  The space is large enough to add a hot tub or outdoor dining.  The rear already provides lots of storage.

This house is in move-in condition.  It does not a pool or parking and there is never going to be a possibility of adding either. But it does provide lots of quality living space, and it is located in the quiet Meadows Area of Key West. This area is a brief stroll to Old Town.  Most of the gyms and yoga studios are within easy walking distance.  Bayview Park is four blocks to the south. Most of the surrounding properties are single family residences. 

1301 Newton Street is offered for sale at $671,000.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this super clean Meadows Area home and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule 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. 

906 Florida Street - Key West Meadow's Are Charmer

906 Florida Street in Key West is an Arts and Crafts style bungalow with two bedrooms, two baths, and lots of charm packed inside the 1061 sq ft of living space (not including the enclosed front porch.  Although the Monroe County Property Appraiser shows the construction date as 1938 (which was in the midst of the Great Depression) I think the more logical date would have been the 1920s. The house is located at the corner of Florida and Albury Streets.  The house sits behind a tall fence which provides privacy from passing dogs, bicyclists, joggers, walkers, and other area residents and tourists who happen to stumble upon this little block located one block north of Bayview Park.

I dug into the old shoe box and found two photos of 906 Florida Street and learned that there used to be a second cottage on the lot.  On the day I arrived to take photos of this property I parked my car on Albury Street which runs parallel to Truman Avenue.  I remarked to myself as I excited the car how long the lot was and how densely populated it was with tropical foliage. (The lot is 90' long and 40' wide or 3630 sq ft.) When I found the second photo I understood why the lot was so large - there used to be a second cottage on the lot.  The second cottage was razed and the old cement block fence has been replaced with a tall wood privacy fence.

The listing Realtor, Mitzi Krabil, describes the property this way:

"This charming remodeled 2 bedroom 2 bath home is located on a private fenced corner lot in the popular Meadows neighborhood. The living room with vaulted ceiling opens through several sets of French doors to the pool, garden and hot tub. Additional features include a new kitchen and electrical service, off street parking, and hurricane rated shutters. Well maintained and easy to show."

Glass windows now enclose the previously screened front porch. The current owners use this space as an artist studio. Imagine how you might use this well lighted space.  When you enter the front door you step into an area the owners use as an office but the space could have many alternative uses. The recently updated kitchen follows.  Note the window view your mate will have as he or she does the dishes.

The living room or great room is located at the rear of the house. The vaulted ceiling really makes this space seem very large. French doors open out to the pool and hot tube (protected by its own little canopy).  The garden is lush with tropical foliage.  As soon as I saw this space I thought about buyers who want a place that could be rented as a vacation rental and said to myself this would make a great vacation rental property.  The outdoor space is just amazing.

The home has two bedrooms and two bath which you can view together with more photos of the house and yard if you CLICK HERE.

906 Florida Street is offered at $699,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet which contain detailed info on this home and more photos as well. But better than looking a photos and details, why don't you call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this lovey Meadows Area home.  It is really sweet and it is in move-in condition.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.