1006 - 1008 Fleming Street Key West - Past Made Perfect!

When I first started selling houses in Key West, I questioned a fellow agent about a new listing. She told me all about the house even though it was just listed that day. I asked how she knew so many details about the property. She said something like "Gary, there are only a couple of hundred houses in Old Town. We keep selling the same houses over and over." Nearly twenty years later I understand exactly what she meant as I now have the same type of memory of prior listings which I have shown (or maybe sold) over my stint as a Realtor.  I have come to learn that most new owners redo some part of a property. So what once was may not be what exists at a later date. And redoing what someone else previously did with flare won't deter a new owner from adding his or her own revision.

Today I am writing about the two homes located at 1006 - 1008 Fleming Street in Key West. Before writing today's blog I searched the Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that both 1006 and 1008 were shown on the 1889 edition.  In 1889 1006 Fleming was identified as 421 Fleming St. and 1008 Fleming was known as 421 1/2 Fleming St. A large cottage sat to the rear of 421 1/2 Fleming.  In 1892 the street identifiers were changed. 421 Fleming became 906 Fleming St and 421 1/2 Fleming became 921 1/2 Fleming St. In the 1912 Sanborn Maps the street identifiers changed one last time. 906 Fleming became 1006 Fleming St and 921 1/2 Fleming became 1008 Fleming St. The cottage was always present but never had a street identifier number.  The Sanborn Maps let us know that both houses were in existence by at least 1889.

1006 Fleming Street as it appeared in 1965

1008 Fleming St as it looked in 1965

I remember showing both houses in 2001 when they were offered as an assemblage for the asking price of $899,000. The houses had been updated with an unimaginative design.  The cabinets and appliances were run of the mill. The bath was ceramic tile. A pool was added but it award amid of "garden" of scraggly plants. Nothing joined the two properties into a cohesive whole. That changed after a new owner undertook a huge renovation that corrected the shortcomings of the prior effort. The renovation was remarkable and later appeared in Metropolitan Home Magazine. End of story, or so I thought.

That owner sold 1006 -1008 Fleming Street a couple of years ago. The property is located in the very heart of Old Town Key West. The new owners undertook their own update which has just been concluded. The three building compound is now offered for sale at $2,900,000. The listing Realtor, not me, describes the property as:

"Exquisitely restored & renovated, this captivating Old Town home on a rare large lot is truly perfect & in mint condition. Enjoy a fabulous great room w/soaring ceilings & a new Heart of Pine wall that completely opens up to pool & lush private gardens. Totaling 4 bdrms/4.5 baths including 2 guest houses. Since these owners purchased this compound they have done nothing but refine every detail of this fabulous property. Upgrades include a generator, privacy wall & gate, sprinkler system, pool retiled & refinished, day kitchen in pool house, & off st pkg for 2, hurricane shutters, security, sound & camera system throughout, new doors, landscaping, window treatments & much more!"

Rear outdoor lounge behind 1006 Fleming St

The prior renovation brought the three buildings into harmony by adding an elevated deck area that connected the two original houses plus a new back addition. One of the flaws in the prior renovation was the lack of privacy.  The entry to the compound is off the driveway that separates the two original houses. The new owners added a privacy wall: privacy issue was resolved. The old house first known as 421 Fleming St (and now as 1006 Fleming St) stands in the same location but is now used as guest cottage. It has a living area with built in book shelves, window seat, and a vaulted ceiling. There is a small day kitchen with sleek under counter SubZero refrigeration and a farmer's sink. The bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and lots of closets. And then there is that luxurious tiled bathroom with antique flare.

The original house at 421 1/2 Fleming St is now a guest bedroom in the significantly expanded main house.  The main house stretches from the east to west lot line boundaries.  The listing Realtor detailed all the updates the current owner added.

Bedroom is now used as a home gym. The kitchen is visible as well.

 

 I noticed two additional and remarkable changes to the property. The original pool and unremarkable garden are now unified with a beautiful deck that seems to flow from inside the main house and now extends to the guest cottage at the back of the property. Previously the cottage was accessed via a stone foot path that began at the edge of the pool apron. Now the deck, pool apron, and walkway to the cottage are one.  The landscaping has been refined. So, too, has been the cottage at the rear. Old foliage at the rear of the cottage was removed. The interiors update and a morning kitchen added. This is now the perfect place for writer, artist, or in-law that wants privacy - but not too much of it. 

Master bedroom is located in new addition behind 1006 Fleming Street

1008 Fleming St is now a guest bedroom

If you saw this house before, you must see it again. The foot print is the same but the details are remarkably different. That does not diminish the prior home. Today's view is more like a time date stamp on a passport. CLICK HERE to view all the photos I took of this remarkable property.

CLICK HERE to view the mls datasheet on 1006-1008 Fleming Street 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.  Who would think two old houses built before 1889 could look as perfect as these. They are past made perfect!

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.