923 Eaton Street - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed!, but not by me, 923 Eaton Street in the Old Town area of Key West, Florida.  If you are a frequent visitor to Key West, you have surely driven or walked by 921 and 923 Eaton Street,  the two side-by-side gems that rival the famous "Painted Ladies" of San Francisco. Although not as elaborate, the Key West Ladies speak to the simplicity of design that characterize many of the houses in the Old Town area.  In his book The Houses of Key West Alex Caemmerer wrote "What particularly impressed me at that time, although many of these houses were small and owned by people of modest means - mostly local workers, they had a simplicity of line and an aura aura of elegance and dignity which had the same effect on one as does, for instance, a simple Bach tune."

Now you may think my comparison of the Painted Ladies in San Francisco to the more modest Key West Ladies is a stretch. You might be correct but consider that Alex Caemmerer selected the modest house at 921 Eaton Street as the cover photo for his book about Key West houses.

921 Eaton Street as photographed in 1965

923 Eaton St as photographed in 1965

Who would have thought that these two simple little houses owned by locals of modest means would become iconic representations of Key West architecture. But that is what they did. Now, the sad fact is that between the time Alex Caemmerer immortalized 921 Eaton Street and the recent Recession, the two ladies fell into disrepair as both properties were foreclosed upon. You can see that the new owner of 921 Eaton Street has started a restoration of that residence. The new owner of 923 Eaton Street just listed this property for sale at the asking price of $499,000.  The listing Realtor describes the new listing this way:

"Put your Fantasy parties on hold and get your offer in ASAP as this historic home in Old Town won't last! Perfectly livable home within a couple blocks to the Seaport is ready for you now, or your upgrades to make this a gem sparkle and shine! Rare, huge,fenced, back yard complete with brick pavers, allows for expansion of existing home AND pool AND pool/guest house. Dade county pine galore and beautiful new hard wood floor in spacious living room, front porch, upgraded baths and kitchen, separate indoor laundry room. Bring your best offer as this one won't last at this price! Truly a Fantasy surprise you won't want to miss out on."

 

The Monroe County Property Records date the construction of both 921 and 923 Eaton Street at 1906. I experienced frustration today trying to access the historic Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West and was unable to enlarge a particular file which show 923 Eaton being in place in 1889.  I saw a house at that location for that date, but I was unable to decide with reasonable certainty that it is the same house. But I am pretty sure it is.  This little area is located near the Historic Key West Seaport which is located just two blocks to the north.  Many of the old homes in Key West are located in this area because the earliest residents of Key West lived here near their work - the seaport.

No matter the exact date it was built, the fact is the 923 Eaton Street has the earmarks of a really old house and includes lots of Dade County Pine walls, ceiling, floors, traditional windows, scuttles on the second floor roof, etc. The house was updated around 1988 from what I can determine in the Property Records.  It looks to me like the an interior wall or walls in the front part of the house were removed to create the current living room.  A new addition was added to the rear where the kitchen was updated, a bath and laundry added, and a large combination dining/family room with modern sliding doors were added. The back yard was bricked-in and some landscaping was added. A bathroom was added to the second floor as well. I assume all renovations were done at the same time. What was in style 25 years ago now looks tired and needs updated or maybe replaced.

The constant feature of this property is the historic character of the original house and the very large (deep) back yard where there is room for a large pool or maybe a smaller pool a a guest cottage.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet. 

If you would like to see 923 Eaton Street please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise. 

901 Pearl Street - Bank Owned - Key West

The Bank Owned property at 901 Pearl Street offers potential buyers something that you just normally don't find in a house in the Old Town vicinity - a reasonable price and an ability to tear down the existing house and to build new or to alternatively renovate with new technologies and new materials (e.g. replace existing jalousie windows with impact windows).

The existing property is located at the corner of Pearl Street and Albury Street. CLICK HERE Google aerial view of the area which I will discuss late. The lot is 50' X 70' or 3500 sq ft which is a good size for the area.  The existing house was built in 1953 and is a CBS (concrete block construction) building. It is not deemed a contributing structure.  I believe a new owner could tear down the existing building and re-orient a new house more efficiently on the lot. (There's wasted space on north and south sides and a tiny back yard.)  Any new structure would have to comply with current building codes and set backs. But the large lot size affords a new owner flexibility as to what type of house to build (maybe a Conch cottage or a two story home) and where to situate the property on the lot.  A new owner might site the front of the house on Albury which would leave room at the rear (south side) for a new pool.
The current house has been lived in "as is" for several years. It is typical of many 1950s era ranch houses with two bedrooms, one bath, a shared living and dining area and a closed off kitchen. Each of the rooms have original Cuban tile floors (all in good condition). The bathroom is a throwback to the colorful 1950s tiled bathrooms. There is even a cedar lined closet. Both bedrooms have good sized closets. A new owner would probably replace the jalousie windows. I would expand some of the widow sizes and replace with energy efficient impact windows. The kitchen exists - but barely. A new owner would probably install a new kitchen and update the appliances. I believe the south side yard is large enough to accommodate a new pool.

 

There are a couple of issues a new buyer would need accept. First, the house has some spalling on many of the exterior walls. This is a common occurrence for CBS houses and commercial buildings buildings in Key West. Spalling can be repaired. A concrete contractor would be able to tell a potential buyer the cost to do any repairs.  Also, the existing carport is in bad shape. Since the carport exists, a new owner might alternatively tear it down, keep it place and repair it,  or possibly convert that space into a third bedroom.  The existing laundry room is at the rear of the carport and has water and sewer in place. I think the entire area could make a great new master suite.  CLICK HERE to view photos I took of this property.

Many of the nearby homes are quite expensive.  I think money spent on this property either as a fixer or building new is money very well spent. The house is located one block from Bayview Park (the main city park) and a couple of blocks away from the Garrison Bight Marina. Duval Street is a 10-15 minute walk and an easy five minute bike ride.

The asking price on this 901 Pearl Street is now $389,900.  I believe the successful purchaser will be a person who offers cash and accepts the property as it exists with all faults - whatever those faults may be.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls data sheet.

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this bank owned property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

1425 White Street - Key West Grand Estate

Long time readers of my blog might suspect the home shown above is located in Santa Barbara or La Jolla instead of Key West. And they would be wrong. Yes, the home is atypical for Key West.  It is in fact more reminiscent of an old Italian villa snuggled away from the world.  Although the house is only nine years old, the design  and lush landscaping suggests the property is much older. The softly faded exterior is emphasized by creeping vines that climb up the walls and over trellises and columns. The ochre colored walls blend harmoniously with the red barrel tile roof and seamlessly blend with the palms and tropical vegetation that surround this property. 

1425 White Street is located at the corner of White Street and Flagler Avenue in the Casa Marina Area of Key West. The lot totals 13,813 sq ft (92.5' facing White Street X 149.33 facing Flagler Avenue). According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser the house is 3369 sq ft. The property is now offered for sale at $2,000,000 or $594 per sq ft. The Atlantic Ocean is a four block walk to the South. Old Town is a five minute drive to the west or north. The Key West International Airport is seven minutes or so on a normal day.  And the worries of the world are forever enduring, but behind the double door arched entry, the worries disappear as you enter a truly remarkable Key West property. 

You gotta admit, the entrance is pretty damned impressive. And that's just the beginning of what you will see in this remarkable property which the listing Realtor describes as:

"Unique and elegant, walled and landscaped for the utmost privacy sits this luxurious estate on a double corner lot. 3 bedrooms, 2,5 baths and an office in the main house and a separate guesthouse. The impressive front gate opens to a beautiful pathway leading to the front entrance, a 2 car garage and additional off-street parking. Outstanding kitchen equipped with all gourmet appliances includes a Wolf stove, Subzero fridge, two Bosch dishwashers, a drawer fridge and custom cabinets. Large rooms, huge great room and 16' ceilings. Polished hardwood floors. Split floor plan for privacy. Gracious outdoor living includes a beautiful pool and hot tub, covered porches and gardens. The roof is barrel tile. A most elegant & private retreat."

Once you are inside the property you notice the rich Cypress wood that sets off the portico leading to the front door. You also become immediately aware that all of the doors and windows are painted black and that all are variations on paladin windows. Much of the architecture and interior hallways features the similar curved arches.  All interior walls feature Venetian plastering. Some rooms also include tromp loy finishes such as the arched wall in the living room shown below. Rich rosewood floors are another feature of the house. Travertine marble is used in other areas.

While this house looks old on the outside, the interiors are laid out with a modern take on American life in the early 21st Century. In the old days rooms were partitioned off into various functions. Today and especially in this house the rooms seem to flow from one use to another. While the house has a very grand feel, it is also functional.  The kitchen features Kraftmade Cabinets, a Wolff range, Subzero refrigerator, and rich appointments everywhere. Doors open out from the kitchen to an outdoor dining area to the east. Doors from the adjacent dining - family room open out to the covered loggia or portico that overlooks the pool. 

The west wing of the house includes two guest bedrooms which share a Jack and Jill bath, the most incredible laundry room I have ever seen, and the double car garage. The two bedrooms have French doors that open out to the pool area. If you look at the above photos you will notice the doors and trim all of which are painted with a superior deep black finish that is absolutely PERFECT. The finish is the very best I have ever seen anywhere.  Seriously!

French doors off the master bedroom lead to the east garden area and the glass door in the master bath leads to the spa and pool.  Two large walk-in closets are another feature of the master suite. 

The guest cottage is located at the front part of the property. It has a wet bar for making cocktails and coffee, but it is not equipped as a kitchen.  There is a large closet and a very large bath with tumbled marble walls and French doors that open out to the pool.

I took a lot of photos of this incredible property which you can see if you CLICK HERE.  Take some time and go through the photos and imagine what a grand life you could lead if you lived here.  This house sits empty now. It has been that way for some time. It needs a new owner.

I realize that this house does not look like the typical old Conch house with a white picket fence that almost everybody associates with Key West. That and the previous much higher asking price of $2,700,000 are probably the two biggest factors this property has not sold. The new price of $2,000,000 is probably beyond the means of many people reading today's blog. But for that small group of buyers that can purchase a property like this, I would suggest you take a look. The property is listed at a price much lower than when it was purchased. The property is vacant and needs someone to take care of it.  If this would not be a full time residence, I think a new owner could very successfully rent this as a vacation rental.  

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. 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. You just might get over the Conch cottage thing and fall in love with this big and truly impressive Key West property. I did.