303 Julia Street - Key West - Bank Owned Investment Property

The Old Stone Church located 330 Julia Street (corner of Whitehead and Julia Street) in Key West is now a Bank Owned property that is offered for sale at $895,000 or $190 per sq ft. Preferred Properties Key West is the listing broker for this property, that's where I work but this is not my listing. The property is no longer used as a church but instead has been converted into a unique mix of commercial space and three residential apartments.

330 Julia Street - 1965

 

Author J. Willis Burke writes in his book THE STREETS OF KEY WEST the AME Zion Church at 704 Whitehead Street (same location, just a different address attributed) was established by freed slaves in 1865 and was originally called the First African Methodist Church. Burke says the current building dates from 1894, but records show it was built in 1900. Later it was called the Stephens AME Zion Church. The property was renovated after 1993 and converted at that time into the present usage as a unique mix of commercial space and three residential apartments. The property is zoned HMDR (CLICK to City of Key West).

The building today has a total of 4849 sq ft of interior space which is divided between the commercial space which until recently housed a gallery and offices plus the three residential apartments. Among the features of this beautiful building are Dade County Pine ceilings and original beams; hardwood, tile, and carpeted flooring; and central air conditioning. Two of the apartments are two bedrooms (each split with a second bedroom on the second floor) and a one bedroom apartment. (There may be more apartments than are currently licensed.) The commercial space has central air conditioning whereas the apartments have individual units. The commercial and residential spaces also have individual electric service. This property provides and excellent opportunity for a buyer looking for commercial property located in a prime area of Key West and that offers supplemental income. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos I took of this amazing property as it appeared in 2012. (Some of the stained glass was removed prior to bank taking possession.)

The building is located just five blocks from the Monroe County Courthouse. The location would surely attract steady foot traffic as it is located one block south of the Hemingway House and just a couple of blocks north of the Southernmost Point. Tourists from all over the world walk past this location daily.

All but one of the apartment licenses have been suspended by the City of Key West due to non-payment of sewer bills. A new owner will need to apply to the City for restoration of the licenses which may include back payment of fees (and or fines or both) for several years.

I am confident this Bank Owned Property will go under contract within a matter of days because the property is architecturally very attractive and offers many opportunities for uses.It is priced to sell.  Don't wait for somebody else to scoop up this deal. To see the inside please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.  Let me help you find your place in Key West.    

401 South Street Key West, Florida - A Key West Treasure

"Through the crystal-clear air Lori could hear the ringing of the agent's bell...that had begun when the package had first been sighted, carefully picking it's way past the outer reefs toward the lighthouse at Whitehead's Point."          - Thelma Strabel, Reap the Wild Wind

Preferred Properties Key West just listed 401 South Street, Key West. This home sits opposite what was once called Whitehead's Point. Tourists from all over the world come here to take photos as a remembrance of the best vacation of their lives. Were you to buy this one-of-a-kind home I would suggest that you must really like people because people will stand across the street from your home every day to take photos of themselves for as long as you own the property.

But at night when the tourists have moved down to Mallory Square to view the amazing Key West sunset, you will have the view of the old Whitehead's Point to yourself.  You can watch the nightly sunset from your main level or second floor balcony with a view nobody in Key West can ever have. The balmy breezes from the Atlantic Ocean will brush the palms that flank this corner property.  At night after the tourists are gone you will hear the sound of tiny waves as they lap the coral rock where South Street and Whitehead Street meet at the place now called the Southernmost Point. This is the yin and yang of this property.  

The original house is constructed of Indian Block, a man-made material similar to modern concrete block except that Indian Block has a finished decorative carved-rock aspect. Over the years the original front porch and second floor balcony were modernized as is shown in the 1965 black and white photo.   What you may not see unless you look at all the photos with care is that 401 South Street has three bays: The front bay is obscured by the enclosed front porch. The east side bay is not visible from the street whereas the west bay is quite prominent as it can be viewed by all.

The immediately above photo shows the front bay on the main floor. The house plus the rear bungalow have been divided into three legal living units. The first floor and second floor currently used as separate apartments and are pretty much carbon copies of each other as to interior layout. The original interior staircase has been removed, but a portion of the stairs still remains. Re-installation of a staircase would be fairly simple were a new owner want to restore this home back to a single family residence.  Note the extra large crown molding that wraps the front bay. The crown molding can be found in all first floor rooms. I did not take a tape measure with me when I photographed this house. My guess is that the ceiling height on the main floor is at least ten feet tall.

The above photo was taken in the dining room on the first floor. The west bay window is seen on the extreme left. The front porch is enclosed with screen. Even the screen can't diminish the view of the ocean.

The west second floor bay shows the superior condition of the Indian block construction. The next photo shows some of the original detailed stone work that is still in excellent condition. It would be interesting to see how a current day architect might reinterpret the original porches to restore some of the historic appeal of the house while retaining privacy for a new owner.

The views from the second floor deck are pretty impressive.  Imagine sipping your morning coffee from the second floor balcony before the tourists arrive.

A simple bungalow is located at the back far east side of the lot. This space is a basic Old Florida bungalow with grassy yard, palm trees, and louvers that keep the sun and rain out but that allow air and sunlight in.  Ralph Lauren would have a field day decorating this little gem. The bungalow would make the perfect guest cottage. There is plenty of room for a pool and still retain off street parking for two cars.

The main house and bungalow total 2845 sq ft of interior living space. The lot is 76' wide and 100' deep. There is room to expand the main house and bungalow. I took more photos and share historic photos I found which you may view if you CLICK HERE. 401 South Street is offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West at $3,100,000.

CLICK HERE to view the mls datasheet on this Key West Treasure. Better than looking at photos or reading a blog, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com to arrange a private showing of this special home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

UPDATED JUNE 15, 2021

903 Grinnell Street Key West - Old Town

The asking price on 903 Grinnell Street was recently reduced to $749,900 which makes it a very attractive buyer looking for a move-in-ready home in Old Town Key West.  I had not shown the property prior to the price reduction. I was genuinely surprised to see how large the house is and how nicely it has been updated.

I looked in the old Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that 703 Grinnell St appeared in the 1892 fire map. Seven years later the house was renumbered to 903 Grinnell Street.  The earlier 1892 edition did not mention any houses in the entire section to the west.  I also dug down in the old shoe box and found the black and white photo below which shows the house as it appeared in 1965.  That seems so long ago, but it's not - really.  The Beatles made their debut on the Ed Sullivan Show the year before.  Ringo and Paul are still alive and kicking. They look great. And the house at 903 Grinnell Street looks great too.  In fact it looks better today than it did forty nine years ago.

The listing Realtor, not me, describes 903 Grinnell Street this way:

"A beautiful Old Town Conch home conveniently located near the White Street corridor and a quick stroll to Duval Street. The 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home has an open floor plan on the main level with a spacious living/dining, kitchen/den, half bath and third bedroom or office. Upstairs has a split floor plan for privacy with a good sized guest bedroom with ensuite bath and a master bedroom suite with French doors to a private balcony. The home has been totally renovated with hardwood floors throughout, kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances and multiple sets of French doors opening onto the rear deck which is large enough to accommodate a pool. In addition there is a rocking chair front porch and outdoor shower."

French doors at the rear open out to the large deck area. The listing Realtor says there is room for a pool.  The master bedroom is located on the second floor rear. French doors open out to a private deck that would have a view of the pool if one were built.

This house is surprisingly large - 1500 sq. ft. three bedroom house that sits on a 29' X 58' (1704 sq ft) lot.  The house has Dade County Pine walls but just about everything else in this old house has been replaced or updated. 

If you are looking for a move in ready home in Old Town, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com, to arrange a showing of this very attractive home. I  am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  

1218 Margaret Street - Key West - Potential Old Town Renovation

I recently got to take a peak at 1218 Margaret Street in the Old Town South of Truman area of Key West.  This house has always puzzled me as it is constructed differently than just about any other home in Key West.  I dug into the old shoebox and found the black and white photo taken in 1965 that shows the squared-off concrete with stucco facade.  The previously totally enclosed front porch is now open.

The Monroe County Property Appraiser shows the house was built in 1948 or just after the end of World War II.  It sits on a large lot (46' X 93') or 4278 sq ft that is located about 100 feet north of United Avenue or four blocks east of Duval Street.

The house as currently configured has a large living room, dining area, and large kitchen. Two bedrooms on the south side share the one bathroom.  As I recall the ceilings are 11' tall.  The interior walls are plastered - no Dade County Pine in this home. The Property Appraiser shows the house as being 1240 sq ft.

There are two other buildings not shown on the public record, both of which have water and sewer which might be adaptable for future use.

The backyard is in my opinion large enough to accommodate a pool. Perhaps the small cottage could be salvaged and made into a pool cabana or guest cottage. The south side yard is wide enough to allow a backhoe in to dig a pool. A new owner would need to verify with the city that a pool is in fact permissible on this site.  Also, a curb but and driveway currently exist at the front of the property.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

1218 Margaret Street is not my listing, but it is offered for sale at $450,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property.  This property is poised for renovation.  Since it is constructed of concrete (and not deemed historically significant), a new owner might receive permission to raze the property and build new on site.  Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a private showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.