409 Grinnell Street - Old Town -Key West

The two story Conch house at 409 Grinnell Street has been lovingly updated and looks picture perfect  The house first appeared in the 1889 Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West. I was surprised to learn that the adjacent Elgin Lane was named "Hidalgo Alley" in 1889.  As I looked through the old shoe box for photos of the property, I found a photo of a former resident that was taken in about 1918 - during World War I.  The photo shows Lawrence Higgs who was an inspector for the Florida East Coast Railway. The black and white photo below Mr. Higgs was taken in 1965 and shows how the house presumably looked for decades.  The color photo beneath shows the same property as it appeared in April 2011 - before the current owners purchased it. Note the metal louvers on the front and sides.  These louvers were replaced by real windows during the renovation. The owner told me that drywall covered two upstairs windows on the Elgin Lane side. New windows were added, the Dade County Pine walls were sanded, and the floors were sanded and refinished.  Two difficult small bedrooms became one large bedroom filled with light. Little changes were made throughout the house.  Living spaces became a bit more iser friendly for today's lifestyle. But the renovation kept the original character in tact.

The listing Realtor describes 409 Grinnell Street as:

"Beautifully renovated 2-story Old Town home located a few blocks from the Historic Sea Port. This grand Key West home displays Dade County Pine and a picture perfect interior. The 45' deep by 27' back yard includes an outdoor shower & plenty of room for a nice pool, decking, and garden."

I showed this property last week and told my buyers that this home looks quite similar to the way a lot of the older homes looked when I first started selling houses in Key West. That was before granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and designer baths became the rage. Things were more simple two decades ago.

Drywall from an earlier renovation was removed. Much of the original Dade County Pine walls, ceiling, and floors remained intact and in very good condition.  The original wood walls were sanded and had a clear coat added.  The trim was painted a crisp white to make the wood walls appear more robust.  The floors were all sanded and refinished. The house now has a uniform look throughout without having a "staged" look. Let me tell you there is a world of difference between original floors and some of the stuff retailers are passing off today. The closet under the elegant staircase became a wine storage room sans temperature control. It works - naturally.

The first floor has a bedroom which currently has an overly large bed and armoire that makes the room seem pretty small. The room is fine. It's the furniture that is perhaps too big for the room. The adjacent bath does "double duty" so to speak. The bath doubles as a guest bath. The bathroom is quite large. Notice the Dade County Pine walls and ceiling and the old style tiled floor. The bath tub hearkens bath to yesteryear as well. An opaque window provides lots of light and lots of privacy.

As soon as you enter the house your eyes are through the living area and then past the dining room where you see the kitchen. You see an old refrigerator and smile. Cute. Must be a gimmick - a piece of nostalgia.  Not so. When you look more closely you see the Crosley Refrigerator and the Kelvinator double oven stove with polished chrome top. The original temperature settings still guide the cook as the best method for making real meals (not the nuked kind so many people eat today).

The beautiful stairway leads to the second floor landing which then leads to three bedrooms on this floor. The bedroom on the Elgin Lane side was previously two small rooms where drywall covered the window at the rear. The interior wall was removed to create a new large bedroom.  The front covered balcony is adjacent where you might have your morning coffee while watching tourists and locals stop by the Old Town Bakery just across the street and down on the corner. If I lived here I'd be ever so fat. That bakery ought to be declared a sin for the pastries are sinfully delicious.)

A second bedroom is located on the south side.  The third bedroom is located at the rear. It is smallish and makes a good den for the current owners. There is but one second floor bath. It is, however, quite large.

The rear of this property is still pretty much a blank canvas where a new owner can create his or her or their vision of the idyllic Key West back yard with pool or whatever. The space is quite large and provides adequate room for a pool. There is room for pool contractor to bring in a equipment to build the pool via adjacent Elgin Lane. The laundry and a cute outdoor shower are located here as well.
CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this cute Key West home.

409 Grinnell Street is offered for sale at $1,100,000 or $652 per sq ft for this 1688 sq ft four bedroom/two bath home. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to see listing photos. After you have looked at that, please contact 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.

1411 Olivia Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

Key West is known for its love affair with old houses.  Some places are big; some are small; some are ornate; some are droll; some are expensive; and most others are more expensive! Some homes are full time-residences and others are part-time places where owners hope to retire to in the not so distant future.  Some places are fixer-uppers and others are done to the hilt. Some places historic but a few places are relatively new. It is, however, the older homes that most would-be new buyers seek. The home located at 1411 Olivia Street in Key West is listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing.  The listing Realtor describes this home thus:

"This charming Key West home is located in the Meadows area of old town. A vintage iron gate and a wide, sunny front porch offer a welcome entry to the house. Inside are beautiful wood floors, high ceilings and bright rooms. In addition to the two bedrooms and two baths, there are two loft bedrooms not included in the square footage. The Florida room opens through a wall of glass doors to the bricked patio and garden which includes an outdoor shower. The patio area is fenced and gated and very private. This is a must see for those wanting historic charm in a lovely setting."

 I found this black and white photo below (taken in 1965) that has the notation the house was built circa 1926.  I looked in the Sanborn Fire Maps which show the house existed in 1912. The prior Sanborn Map was done in 1899 which suggests the house was built sometime between those years.

The house has 1334 sq ft of living space on one floor which includes two bedrooms and two baths. The listing Realtor notes the house has additional living space in the second floor loft which is not counted as actual living area. 

 1411 Olivia Street is offered at $629,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database and listing photos. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this colorful Key West property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1009 Eaton Street ~ Old Town ~ Key West

 

1009 Eaton Street is a  two bedroom/two bath Conch style home offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing.  The Monroe County Property Appraiser says was the house was built in 1923. I think it is much older than that because I found it on the 1889 Sanborn Map.  That would indicate it existed before 1889 when the map was drawn. Be that as it may, it is still an old house and that is why it is the type of property would-be second home buyers want in Key West. The cute part of this house is without dispute. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Historic Cigar Cottage in the heart of Old Town Key West with the Seaport and some of our best restaurant's at your doorstep. Several years ago this home underwent a renovation and has an updated kitchen and 2 full baths, with preserved Dade County walls and floors. There are two bedrooms upstairs with a Jack n' Jill Bathroom. On the main level you have a open floor plan with French doors leading to the covered deck and spa."

1009 Eaton as it appeared in 1965

The front porch welcomes friends and family to a 1170 sq ft home that sits on a 1578 sq ft lot just located one half block east of Grinnell Street. The Historic  Key West Seaport is located a block and one-half to the north. Frequent visitors may recall the Old Town Bakery is located at the corner of Grinnell Street and the new Paseo Restaurant is also located on the opposite corner.

The main floor of the house has an inviting living room with Dade County Pine walls, ceiling, and floors. The dining area is set off just a bit by an ancient room divider. The kitchen is located at the rear. The kitchen has been updated. There is also a full bath on the first floor even though both bedrooms are on the second floor.

There are two bedrooms on the second floor. The master bedroom is located at the front. The guest bedroom is at the rear. There is a second floor rear sundeck as well.  

The rear yard presently has a spa.  I think there may be room for a small in-ground pool.
The space is large enough. The cost might be a bit high as the pool would have to be dug by hand instead of machine.  You could save yourself a lot of money and do what a lot of locals do: go to Dante's and use the pool there. Buy lunch and a couple of drinks. You will save thousands and thousands of dollars on construction costs and not have to pay for a pool service, chemicals, and electricity to run the pool everyday of the year.

1009 Eaton Street is now offered at $650,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos. I took more photos which you can view if you CLICK HERE.

Dante's

Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this cute two bedroom home located in Old Town Key West. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

202 Southard St #6 - Transient Licensed Shipyard Condominium - Key West

 

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 202 Southard Street #6 in the Shipyard Condominiums at Truman Annex. Truman Annex is located just two blocks from historic Duval Street and all of the attractions that make Key West a world class destination.  The listing Realtor describes the new listing this way:

"Fabulous opportunity to own a 2 bedroom, 1 bath condo in Truman Annex. First floor unit with large rear deck. Just steps away from the pool. Perfect home away from home. Condo comes with a transient license allowing for 26 weekly rentals. Just steps from Duval and an easy stroll to the beach. Excellent income producer."

                   202 Southard Street #6 pictured above. Lower photo is view from the front.

This unit is similar in layout to most other two bedroom/one bath units.  The kitchen and dining/living area is one the left side, and the two bedrooms with a shared bath are on the opposite side. French doors at the rear open out to the rear deck and ground level garden area.  A small walking lane is located behind the units. The lane leads to the off street parking spot and the community pool.

Returning visitors to Key West love the location, comfort, and security that Truman Annex provides. Guest who stay in this unit will especially love this location because it's hard to get lost when the place you are staying is located near the guard booth at the entrance to the complex. People do get lost, especially people who have had the extra cocktail.  The location is within walking distance to Ft Zach Taylor State Park and Beach.  The pool is only a minute or so walk, but I'll bet you more guests will head off to the beach to enjoy the sun and ocean.  At night the Green Parrot and other nearby establishments provide music, food, and cocktails.  During season the Waterfront Playhouse at Mallory Square and the Red Barn Theater offer live performances that feature many local talents. Day or night, there's always something to do and whatever it is, it is within easy walking distance of Truman Annex.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos.  Better than that, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a showing of this unit.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.