326 William Street, Key West Florida - Old Town

326 William Street in Key West, Florida is located within a block of the historitic Key West Seaport. Most of the houses in this immediate area were built because of proximity to the seaport which was the site of most early commerce on our island home. The 300 block of William Street is noted as having some of the oldest homes on the island.

For some odd reason the 300 block of William Street was omitted from the 1889 edition of the Sanborn Fire Map. But it did appear in the 1892 edition. That map shows numerous small lots interspersed with large lots. Many of the smaller homes are accessed via small lanes with entrances on William, Caroline, Margaret, or Eaton Streets. Unfortunately, while 326 William Street is a large house (1649 sq ft), it sits on a very small lot that today measures 29' X 51'.  I dug into my old shoebox to find an older photo of this property, but I could only locate a picture of a former resident, Mr. James A. Boyd, as it appeared on his Water-Front Pass issued on 2/22/18.

While I can't share with you any old photos of the house, I have many current photos which show this big, sturdy house that was likely built by ship chandlers. The front of the house is quite impressive. The house rises from the street with imposing front porches on the first and second floors.

Inside the home you will find a simple but elegant formal entry that flows to either the main floor living areas or the second floor. Today the main floor living space looks pretty much like it did more than a hundred years ago.

Dade County Pine walls, ceiling, and floors mark this property as historic. The tall baseboards, crown molding, and trim are painted a crisp white. As I photographed the house I noted the rippled glass in some windows which notes the gravitational pull of glass molecules dragged toward the earth. The rear portion of the house has been significantly updated in architecture and purpose.  Today one large living space  now contains the kitchen, an informal dining area, a family room type sitting area, the laundry closet, and an outdoor covered deck. Transoms above the windows and doors bring lots of daytime light into this space.

The second floor landing provides access to the three bedrooms located on this level plus access to the second floor front porch.The porch sits high above the street and provides a commanding view of this historic block filled with some of the oldest houses in Key West.

The front bedroom has quick access to the front porch. The middle bedroom has the flexibility to share space with the master bedroom at the rear or it can be used as a third bedroom. The master bathroom is also relatively new. It is large and sunny in the daytime. A newly added spiral staircase provides easy entry without disturbing friends or family using the middle bedroom.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this lovely Key West home.

326 William Street is offered at $775,000 or $470 per sq ft.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this home. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent ( but not the listing agent of this property) and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

713 Galveston Lane - Key West

Therefore, on Galveston Lane, I made arrangements to purchase a parrot who said Jesus, Mary, Joseph at the trilling of a bell, the sight of a monstrance or a cracker.
                                                                         -- Thomas McGuane, Panama

What was once old is new again.  The little Conch Cottage at 713 Galveston Lane was just listed by Preferred Properties at $389,000.  This adorable 672 sq ft house is a one bedroom/one bath home that sits on a 2220 sq ft (31' X 71.67') lot.  The interiors have all been renovated including new wood floors in living room and bedroom, new windows, drywall, and central air. The new kitchen features solid wood cabinets with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The laundry room has GE front loading washer and dryer and some extra storage.  There is off street parking in front and a nice sized rear deck. There is room for a pool!

This property is currently tenant occupied and it is set up for long term living. However, a new owner who wants a Key West getaway type of place would likely have less furniture and more art. CLICK HERE to view more photos that I took of this property.  I think there is room for a nice sized pool if a part of the rear deck were removed.  The fencing is first-rate. The rear could look more attractive with less umbrellas and more landscaping. 

View from the front porch looking across Galveston Lane

Readers may not know where Galveston Lane is located. The photo immediately below is an aerial photo taken many years ago. I added a bright arrow to show the location of 713 Galveston Lane. The large street in the middle of the photo is Elizabeth Street which intersects with Angela which jogs to the right and becomes Windsor Lane.  The intersection is located at the top of Solares Hill, the highest point in Key West. Houses in this area are in the X Zone for flood insurance purposes.  Flood insurance is not required of folks who live in a property in the X Zone. That translates into significant long term savings on insurance.  Galveston Lane is at the bottom left.

When I learned of this new listing I searched the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West to see if I could determine when this cottage was built.  The short answer is that I could not definitely find out. But I did see all of the cottages on Galveston Lane starting in the 1892 map.  Except Galveston Lane was then called "Low's Alley."  The house number was "13".  In 1899 the lane name was changed to "Lowe's Alley" and the house numbered "711" if I read the map correctly.  Lowe's Alley was changed to Galveston Lane in the 1912 map. 713 Galveston Lane is clearly identified on the 1912 map. After that I dug into the shoebox and found a photo of 713 Galveston Lane that taken in 1965. I took the color photo just below showing 713 Galveston Lane as it looks in April 2014.

The house to the immediate right has also been updated. The house to the left is now undergoing renovation.  A couple of years ago this little lane looked kind of forlorn.  Now most of the houses have been renovated. 713 Galveston Lane is in move-in condition and ready for a new owner.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this charming cottage home that is located three blocks from Duval Street on one of the slow lanes in Key West.  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.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise. 

1410 Duncan Street - Key West, Florida

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1410 Duncan Street in Key West, Florida.  This home looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside.  It is super clean and super cute. You won't be needing to fix anything before you start living your dream come true.  The interiors have been freshly updated interior which includes a new eat-in kitchen that opens out to the pool. The living area has a built-in media wall. The wood floors and crisp white doors, baseboards, and trim shine and make this place ooze charm. The guest bedroom is located on the main floor. The master bedroom with ensuite bath occupy the entire second floor. There is even an outdoor sky shower with a treetop view of Key West. The home has covered off street parking, a beautiful pool, a white picket fence in front, and lots of charm.

 

 1410 Duncan Street has previously been rented as a vacation rental. The current owner has not rented the property. This property would appeal to a lot of single people and couples who want a charming place in old Key West to spend a month or more.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls on this home that is offered for sale at $795,000.

I found an the black and white photo of the house that was taken in 1965.  I took the color photo just below. Don't you wish we could all look that great 49 years later.  The listing Realtor describes this 1492 sq ft house as "Charming immaculate historic 2BR / 2BA 2-story Conch cottage in Old Town Key West on a quiet street that's perfect for the discerning buyer. What better way to enjoy Key West than to relax out on the front covered porch while taking in the island breezes or out on one of the porches off of the living room or bedroom. This beautiful home boasts hardwood floors throughout, French doors, high ceilings and Dade County Pine. The spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances has a great view of the inviting heated pool with covered deck. The upstairs boasts a large master suite with a wonderful outdoor shower that overlooks the tropical foliage surrounding the property. Property also includes covered off street parking."

After Tennessee Williams discovered Key West he wrote to a friend and said
"This is the most fantastic place that I have been yet in America. It is even more colorful than Frisco, New Orleans or Santa Fe. There are comparatively few tourists and the town is the real stuff. It still belongs to the natives who are known as ‘conks.’ Sponge and deep sea fishing are the main occupations and the houses are mostly clapboard shanties which have weathered gray nets drying on the front porches and great flaming bushes of poinsettia in the yards. This is beginning to sound like very bad travel literature—but I do wish you were here. I am occupying the old servant’s quarters in back of this 90-year old house. It has been converted into an attractive living space with a shower. The rent is $7 a week. I shan’t do anything the next few weeks but swim and lie on the beach until I feel human again. Then I shall learn how to fish. A good fisherman can thumb his nose at all commercial enterprise in the world."

Can you imagine Key West on $7.00 a week or Key West with "comparatively few tourists"?  Ah, for the good ole days!  Tennessee Williams ended up buying the house down the street at 1410 Duncan Street.  He wrote "The Rose Tattoo" which became a movie starring Burt Lancaster and Anna Magnani that was partially filmed in the house next door at 1421 Duncan Street in 1954. That house is now known as in Key West in 1954.  The Rose Tattoo House was in my blog in 2011 CLICK HERE. It is being renovated today.

I took a lot more photos of 1410 Duncan Street which you can see if you CLICK HERE.  After you have looked online, please call me to schedule a private showing or to give you more information.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  This property will sell quickly.  Do not wait.