2 Fletchers Lane - Old Town - Key West

The good thing about owning a house on a lane that hardly anybody even knows that it exists is that you probably will not have many drop in guests, Fuller Brush salesmen, or other ne'er do-wells knocking on your door. You probably won't be serenaded as the bars close when locals and tourists find their way back to their homes, apartments, guest houses or hotels. You'll miss out on lines like "Babe I love you!" or "I hate you! Get out of my life!".

The newly listed home at 2 Fletchers Lane in Key West is hidden away on just such a little lane that few people even know exists.  If you have a big ego and want everyone to see your big house and talk about how much money or whatever that you may have, this is not the place for you. However, if you want a slice of Old Key West that has been updated and tweaked just ever so nicely, this may be the place you have been looking for.

As frequent readers know the Key West mls is auto-filled with data that comes from the Monroe County Property Appraiser database. Unfortunately, the historic property records were destroyed in the great fire many years ago. Members of the WPA recreated those records but made guesses as to when many of our old homes were built - including 2 Fletchers Lane which the official record says was built in 1924.  I looked at the Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West and found what I believe to be this property which I have marked with an "X" on the map below. That map was made in 1892 which tells us the house and rear cottage existed prior to 1899. You will note that the house appears to be placed on an angle.  That was not uncommon in olden days. Some houses still sit like that. This house has been re situated so that it now sits parallel with the lane.

I dug into the old shoebox and found a photo of 2 Fletchers Lane taken back in 1965. Compare that with the photo which I took yesterday.

The black and white photo shows 'scuttles' located on the roof. Those were vents used in old construction to allow the hot air that reached the second floor to vent out to the world. Those scuttles are always an indication to me of old construction.  The first house I sold in Key West was built around 1824. It had scuttles. I will never forget that house because of its rudimentary but beautiful construction. Also, the front porch still functions as such but the main entrance has been relocated just past the gated side entrance which is barely visible in the above photo. 

The main living area is at the rear of the home.  The kitchen, dining, and living areas form one great room that has sets of French doors on two sides that provide ample daytime light that is filtered by the palms and tropical foliage on this and nearby properties.  The rich cherry floors and warm custom cabinets in the kitchen make the main floor living space extra cozy and comfortable.

The ceiling in the living room soars two stories where you will be amazed to see a glass walkway that extends to the second floor reach deck that looks out to the pool and guest cottage at the rear. What an ingenious mix of old school charm with contemporary design.  I seriously doubt that our current HARC would ever permit something so ingenious to be built today.  

There are two bedrooms on the second floor. The master suite is located at the rear of the house. The space is evenly divided between sleeping area, sitting area, dressing room and bathroom. It's almost like the place is a small luxury hotel.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. This property is listed at $1,123,000. 

What must have been the original living room in the olden days is now used as an office. The space reminds me of an old house that has been treated with care for generations. The second bedroom is accessed from a stairway from the office area.

The front porch is still a fine place for sitting and watching - pretty much of nothing. Only a couple of other homes share this tiny little lane. There is no off street parking here. You can drive your car up the lane to unload groceries and things. But you will need to park on nearby Eaton or Grinnell Street. The listing Realtor tells me the owners have parked in the same spot on Eaton Street for as long as they have owned this house.

I don't know if the guest cottage is the original cottage shown on the old Sanborn map or if it was built new. But I know it is pure genius. I have never seen any structure like this in Key West. You enter the cottage by stepping down a step from the pool deck level into this small space that is dark and rich and which almost feels like a cabin in the woods except it is located in Key West, Florida!
Windows on two sides open out from the bar to the pool area where you and your guests can lounge in luxury. I exaggerate not: I want this! This is just too cool.

CLICK HERE to view more photos which I took of this really charming Key West property. But better than that, 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. This is a truly incredible home. Don't miss this. 

1800 Atlantic # C 441 - Key West, Florida - Rocking Rooftop Penthouse

Just listed, but not by me, a one-of-a-kind Ocean Front Penthouse in at 1800 Atlantic Condominiums - No. C441 in Key West.  The listing Realtor describes this unique Key West property this way:

"Exquisite oceanfront penthouse with a custom designed floor plan to take advantage of the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views. Luxuriously renovated from top to bottom with stone and wood floors and built-in cabinetry throughout. The beautifully designed kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, stainless steel back splash and opens to the large living/dining room with vaulted ceiling and wood paneled walls. The original three bedroom floor plan has been modified to create an amazing master suite with a wall of closets, separate dressing area, gorgeous bath and an enormous guest bedroom with a separate sitting area with a built-in office. This elegant and very stylish condominium is a one-of-a-kind Key West residence."

I will bet you that some smart reader will say something to himself "Well there are the same units on the three floors below."  Not true.  Here's why. All of the penthouse units have extra tall ceilings which provide superior exterior views and also more interior space. The additional interior space in turn creates decorating possibilities not available in units on lower floors. This particular unit has been luxuriously renovated with the custom built-ins and materials that were combined to give this unit a very sophisticated look.  And if you look out to the ocean from the balcony you will appreciate the fact that there is nobody above you and never will be.  You alone will have the incredible ever changing ocean and sky views.

Unit C441 provides 2000 sq ft of superior living space that includes a formal entry, renovated kitchen, and combined living and dining area. The custom cabinets seen in the kitchen flow through into the living room where they become a bar and media center. Similar cabinets are used in the other areas of this home. Likewise, the tile floors flow out to the deck that wraps around this end unit.

Custom designed wood cabinets line the hallway that leads first to the guest bedroom and then the master bedroom that faces directly on to the Atlantic Ocean. The guest bedroom is used by the owner as an office. The space is extra large and could be made into two separate bedrooms which has room for an entry vestibule between the separate spaces if desired.

The master suite includes an entry hall and dressing room, the bedroom with with killer view of the ocean, and a spa-like bath.

All of the units at 1800 Atlantic Condominiums have great balconies.  This particular unit has a balcony that wraps around the unit to provide multiple outside venues for owner and guests.  Notice that the same interior floor tiles are continued out to the balcony which seamlessly integrates the two areas into one. If you look to the southeast you can see Smathers Beach. And if you look off the master bedroom you can see the private beach below and the ever-changing skyline that I find exhilarating. 

If the private decks and mesmerizing views are not enough, 1800 Atlantic Condominiums provide private tennis courts, a huge pool and spa, a private beach, and gardens.  There is covered off street parking.  If you are any kind of a fitness nut, you'll love the location for its proximity to the beach where locals and tourists jog, bike, roller blade, or do yoga or volleyball.  There is always some kind of activity (or sunbathing or reading) going on at the beach.

1800 Atlantic Condominium No. C441 is offered at $1,195,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos of this special property. And CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this unit. Better than looking at photos, why not look at the real thing. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  I think you will be really impressed with this property.  

622 Grinnell Street ~ Key West

If you have been thinking of buying one of the few remaining  untouched Grand Conch Houses in Key West, may I suggest that you consider looking at the 622 Grinnell Street. This place is in pretty much original condition, and it is loaded with charm. You won't see stainless steel appliances, marble, or granite anywhere. You will see original Dade County Pine walls, high ceilings, ancient original windows with window panes that ripple, wood floors that slope a bit in some places, porches in front, in back, on the side, and up high. You will be amazed at the awesomeness of this old house. If your are a pessimist by nature, don't look. All you will see is the work and the money you will spend.  But if you are an optimist, you must look. You will see the innate beauty of this old place where you can use your creative juices to create a wondrous new living space for generations to follow.

622 Grinnell Street is listed by Preferred Properties Key West, but it is not my listing. The listing agent describes the house this way:

"Wonderful, original conch home with three legal units. Great location and superb street presence. Access to the rear cottage is from a lane.Possible conversion back to single family and would be a really spectacular property as such. Opportunity to work with a property that has been maintained while leaving a Key West flavor."

I did a second review of the Sanborn Fire Maps of Key West and learned that 622 Grinnell Street first appeared in the 1892 edition. It could have built several years before that because, for some strange reason, that block of Grinnell Street was omitted in the 1889 edition. Anyway, we know the house existed in 1892.  I found a photo of the property that was taken in 1965.  Compare that black and white photo to a photo I took a couple of months ago. 

The property consists of the main house on Grinnell Street and the rear (guest) cottage on Canfield Lane. The main house does not have (and may have never had) an interior staircase. I have shown this property several times and have been unable to find any evidence of a prior interior staircase.  However, the house is quite large and there are a couple of alternative areas where a new staircase could be added which would then lead to the conversion into a single family residence. Until a few months ago one sibling owner occupied the first floor and another occupied the second and third floor.  The cottage has been a rental for some time. This explains the mls listing as three legal units.

622 Grinnell Street has 1820 sq ft of interior living space. The cottage has an additional 512 sq ft.  The house and cottage sit on a large lot on one of the quietest blocks in Old Town. Grinnell Street dead ends at the corner of Angela Street which is the northern boundary of the Key West cemetery.  In my  opinion the highest and best use of this property would be to convert the main building into a single family residence and update the guest cottage. There is adequate room for a pool on the south side of the house and there is room for off street parking beside the guest cottage.

The photos below were taken a few months back when the property was owner occupied. Tenants now occupy the property and it does not show the same.

Main floor living room

Third floor apartment

Third floor apartment with old scuttles

The rooftop deck on the main house has an incredible view of the area. You can see the spires at St Mary's Basilica. Most of the lot is covered with tropical foliage and red brick pavers. The house itself has been well maintained and looks great.  Buyers who seek Dade County Pine and old glass with ripples will fall in love with this old house. There are little cubby holes and scuttles and other architectural treasures galore.

                                                            Third floor rooftop deck

Second floor living room with front with front porch

The listing agent states that the property as a whole has 2740 sq ft of living space and sits on a 57' x 83' (4683 sq ft) lot. The house has not been touched in years and would benefit from a thorough renovation. But understand that the property is livable as is. But it could be so much more! CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos I took of this property.

I sold the house next door at 618 Grinnell Street a couple of years ago. It was in similar condition and it was owned by the same folks that own 622 Grinnell Street. My buyer got a much better price than the asking price. That does not infer a buyer for 618 Grinnell would get the same type of deal, but you never know what price you can agree upon until you make a real offer.  My buyer did an excellent renovation of his property for which he received a Ceramic Star for Historic Restoration. (He took out most of the old trees and vegetation, added a pool, parking on the side, and introduced new native landscaping.) Look at the before and after and imagine how proud you would be to receive to similar recognition.

The 600 block of Grinnell Street is one of the quietest blocks in Old Town. That is because it ends at Angela Street which is the northern border of the Key West cemetery. That means that Conch trains, trolley cars, and Duck Tour vehicles will not be using this street. Those vehicles cannot traverse Angela Street. Your life will be quieter because of this. Occasionally you will still see tourists walking by or riding bikes. And you will see neighbors go across the street to use the Grinnell Street Pocket Park.

Five Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop is located down on the corner of Southard Street. The Key West Historic Seaport is located three blocks further north and Duval Street is located five blocks to the west. Most of the gyms and yoga studios are located within a five to ten minute walk of this location.

622 Grinnell Street is offered at $1,200,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on this property. Or better than that, please call 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. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

---