206 Harbour Place Condominium - Elegant Key West Waterfront Property

During the Spring of 1987 I attended a party held at the World Famous La Te Da hosted by proprietor Lawrence Formica who introduced Pritam Singh to Key West society and announced plans for the Truman Annex. I wish so much that I had a camera that night or that I could find a photo online.  In today's world of Twitter and Instagram,  there would be several such photos. But 27 years ago people did not record every day events like they do today. In fact that day was not an everyday event. It was a transformative day in Key West history because the Truman Annex became the most popular vacation destination in Key West.  Pritam Singh redeveloped prime ocean front real estate that had been NAVY property for decades. He removed old structures, built seven new communities of condominiums, town homes, and sold single family lots for development by individual homeowners. He added streets, trees and tropical foliage that has grown and matured into a beautiful city-scape. Today Truman Annex is a gated community located behind the historic Presidential gates on Whitehead Street and the Key West waterfront. The Shipyard Condominiums are the least expensive of the properties. Many owners in each of the communities have obtained special transient rental licenses from the City of Key West which allows owners to rent their homes on a weekly basis. The ability to rent one's unit has given would-be Key West second homeowners a realistic and affordable alternative to the purchase of a single family house in Key West. The Harbour Place Condominiums are the most luxurious of the Truman Annex communities. 206 Harbour Place is the largest condominium on the Key West waterfront.

Unit 206 is located on the second floor of the original Naval Administration Building.  I found a couple of photos of President Harry S. Truman standing at the front of the Administration Building in 1969. This was President Truman's last visit to Key West. Today that area looks out to the boardwalk  and Sunset Key beyond. The Administration Building was renovated and became the Harbour Place Condominiums. Balconies and decks were added. Office interiors were transformed into living spaces. Over the years some individual owners have done their own interior renovations. In recent years the windows and doors were replaced with wind impact resistant glass. The building itself was built NAVY STRONG. It may be the safest structure in Key West. It undoubtedly has one of the very best views on the Island of Key West.

The listing Realtor describes unit 206 as "unparalleled elegance and understated luxury".  Two units were combined to create a one-of-a-kind 3073 square foot luxury residence. When you enter the residence your eyes are drawn through the beautifully decorated foyer past the living and dining areas and out to ocean.  The "great room" measures 44 ft in length and has four sets of windows/doors with Plantation Shutters. One set of French doors opens out to the front deck and another set at the south end opens to another deck that overlooks the huge pool. The kitchen has dual counter top cooking surfaces, dual ovens, and dual dishwashers. This place was designed for entertaining and everyday sophisticated living.

The foyer leads into the great room but it also provides access to the master suite at the south end of the unit and provides a genteel entry to the guest bedroom wing by passing through the den. The two guest bedrooms each have baths. The guest rooms have access to a separate balcony that looks out to the community pool, the "outer mole", and Ft Zach Taylor in the distance. There will never be a day when you won't have something new to see.

 

The master suite shown above is probably larger than most condos or town homes in the Truman Annex and anywhere else on the island for that matter. The suite includes the extra spacious bedroom chamber and adjacent office and sitting area. Just to the west is a lady's make-up room with access to the huge walk-in closet. Both the make up area and bedroom enter into the opulent master bath that includes shower and tub, dual vanities, and lots of mirrors.

Unit 206 Harbour Place Condominium is a 3 bedrooms plus a den, and 4.5 baths waterfront residence that includes 3 covered parking spots and a special Truman Annex Transient Rental License which allows the property to be rented up to 25 weeks each year.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property that is offered for sale at $2,699,000.  You can view more photos if you CLICK HERE. My photos include many more water views and that is part of why you would buy this home.

After you have look at the photos and property description, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this very special waterfront 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. I'd love to be with you on the day you move in and post a selfie on Instagram looking out to the magnificent Key West sunset.

1100 Angela Street - Bank Owned Property - Key West

Attention bargain hunters! I know you are out there. I get emails and phone calls from people that still want to buy a bank owned property in Key West. It's getting more rare to see a bank owned property in Key West, especially in Old Town.  1100 Angela Street in Key West is a Bank Owned legal duplex described by the listing Realtor as:

"Two units, two stories, and two separate driveways make this Old Town corner property too good to miss! Hardwood floors, French doors, skylights, and patio decks with a Jacuzzi complement the street appeal of the main 2/2 Angela side house; the legal 1/1.5 Frances unit can serve as guest quarters or an attractive rental. You will find the Key West Cemetery is a quiet X zone neighbor; this locale is in the heart of historic Old Town Key West and ensures an easy stroll to all downtown amenities, restaurants, and nightlife."

1100 Angela Street first appeared in the 1899 Historic Sanborn Fire Maps. That block was omitted form the 1892 edition. So the house could have existed even before 1892.  Two houses, attached at the hip, are shown on the map.  I dug down into the old shoebox and found  a black and white photo of the property taken in 1965 that shows how the property looked then. The color photo underneath, taken in 2014, shows the property from the same angle.  I am of the opinion the original rear cottage was razed, not renovated. The rear cottage has all new piers under the two story house whereas the main house has historic coral piers.  The interior of the two story house is very contemporary in design.  My best guess is that the rear two story addition was built new about 20 years ago. 

I looked at online building permit records and found that improvements were made to the property in 1997 and 2000. Those improvements include new decks, two hot tubs, and interior renovations. In recent years both units were rented. The front unit was rented as a vacation rental and the rear was a long term rental. Prior to being recently listed as a bank owned property, 1100 Angela Street was offered for sale as a 'short sale'.  Let's just say there was not a lot of enthusiasm by the prior owner to sell and thereby terminate the income stream. A long foreclosure eventually led to this property becoming a bank owned asset. During the long foreclosure process income was taken out of the property, but no improvements or repairs were made. As a result, the house needs painted and cleaned. When you look at the photos I took of the property, you will see deferred maintenance. Some of the French doors need replaced. There is some wood rot, but not a lot of it.

This property is located at the corner of Angela Street at Frances Street opposite the Key West cemetery. The location is notable because Angela Street becomes a one-way street at Frances and ends about 300 feet to the east at White Street. On the opposite side of Frances Street, Angela is a one-way street heading west as it traverses the north side of the cemetery.  The point is there is very little traffic on either one-way segment of Angela Street.  Nighttime traffic on Frances is but a trickle, as is the case for most streets in Old Town. And the neighbors to the west, well, let's just say they never make a peep.

The main portion of the original house has a combined living/dining/kitchen area with French doors that open out to the side deck and spa.  The living room has a high ceiling. That extra space really gives this home a special feel.  Whoever designed the kitchen forgot to put the refrigerator in the kitchen.  The refrigerator is located in an adjacent room that also houses the washer and dryer.

The second floor bedroom and bath are accessed via the spiral staircase.  There is a small deck off the bedroom area which overlooks the hot tub below. The master bedroom is located on the main level. Two sets of French doors open out to the deck and hot tub.  Those doors need replaced. I think the floor tile, as charming as it is, needs to go away as well. This is a nice space. The tile floor gives it a cold feeling.

The bathroom is located just off the first floor bedroom. It does double duty as a guest bath as well. A new owner might elect to forgo one of the two off street parking spaces in order to free up some space for the installation of a pool.  I think there is room off either property to create a pool. I personally feel way too much space is presently devoted to a hot tub which may get used a couple of times a year.  But that is just me thinking out loud.

The apartment is configured with the living room, kitchen, and laundry closet on the first floor. Both the living room kitchen open out to a spacious wrap around deck for the apartment.  This would be a very easy place to rent. I expect an owner might get $1800 to $2000 per month for this space. The apartment needs painted but otherwise looks to be in very good condition.  (Some exterior wood needs replaced. But that is easy.)

The bedroom and bath occupy the entire second floor which also includes a good sized closet and a small office area.

I think a new owner could convert this duplex into a single family house.  I can imagine a new owner vaulting the ceiling in the original house. I think a good designer or architect could create a traditional staircase to access the second floor. That would eliminate the spiral staircase and give the old house a more traditional feel. The two story apartment could then become two or three bedrooms. I would suggest that the new owner eliminate the apartment hot tub as well as the off street parking spot on the Frances Street side of the house. This would provide more ground for the construction of a larger pool and add some garden area to give the property a more Key Westy feel.

CLICK HERE to view a lot more photos I took of 1100 Angela Street.  View the interior and exterior photos and imagine how you might revamp this legal duplex. Perhaps you might decide to make it into a single family house which I see as having a lot of potential. Look at the nearby homes. This is a great Old Town location which is also in the X zone for flood insurance purposes.

1100 Angela Street is offered at $784,900.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datsheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this 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.

813 Waddell Avenue - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Location! Location! Location! Those are the words that are the driving force in most home sales across this country. And on the Island of Key West the two prime real estate locations are Old Town and the Casa Marina Area. Old Town is know for its historic old houses and white picket fences whereas the Casa Marina Area is know for the larger lots towering palms, and variety of homes that populate the area. The Casa Marina Area has its small share of older historic homes. But it has many mid-century homes and quite a good number of newly constructed homes as well. And the Casa Marina Area has its close proximity to the ocean and beaches that Old Town just does not have.

The mid-century modern home at 813 Waddell Avenue was built in 1954 and sits on an extra large lot that measures 105' X 100' (10,500 sq ft) opposite the Casa Marina Resort.  I dug into my old shoebox and found a 1950's vintage aerial photo that shows 813 Waddell Avenue. If you have been following my blog for a couple of years you may recognize the next door neighboring house which I featured a couple of times as it was being built.  That house is a prime example of new construction that is giving new vitality to this upscale Key West neighborhood.

Not every potential buyer of a home in Key West wants a cigar makers cottage or a grand conch house. And not every new buyer wants to own a mid-century home or a 21st Century reinterpretation of historic Key West architecture. That is what makes the 813 Waddell Avenue so appealing because a new owner could remodel the existing house or raze the house and build an entirely new home. It's nearly impossible obtain permission to raze a home in Old Town.  Having the option gives a new owner so many more possible ways to create exactly what he, she, or they want.

813 Waddell Avenue is actually two separate lots with two separate legal descriptions. A new owner might separate the lots and build two separate houses. I think the larger lot would cost less to develop than building two houses, but I'm not the guy who is going to build a new house or renovate the existing property. Having the option might make this property more interesting to some buyers. 

813 Waddell Avenue is located about two blocks from Higg's Beach.  The dog park is located opposite the beach. Salute's on the Beach is up there as well. The White Street Pier is where the annual 4th of July fireworks display occurs. The rest of the year it's a good fishing pier and sightseeing destination.  Louie's Backyard is located one block west of 813 Waddell Avenue and Doggy Beach is adjacent to the restaurant.   Most of the gyms and yoga studios are located within a five to seven minute walk of 813 Waddell Avenue. Did you know that you can buy a membership to the Casa Marina Club and have access to the private beach and use of the gym (pictured below)?  Upper Duval Street is about seven to ten minute walk. I have lived in the Casa Marina area since 1995. I love the area for its convenience and quiet neighborhood charm.

Higg's Beach

The Thing at Higg's Beach

White Street Pier as photographed in the 1980s - same ocean, same sky, but new rainbows occurring all the time

Casa Marina Resort Health Facility

I have not opined about the current real estate market in several months because our market has been so schizoid.  A few years ago we have lots of short sales, bank owned properties, and a fair share of regular market sale priced properties. When we had too many houses for sale, buyers were fearful of buying. The over supply of inventory has cleared up. Today, we have very few homes available in all price ranges except the very high. But even the very high end properties are selling. That has caused a lot of buyers to consider buying fixer and tear-downs even more-so than previously.

I don't want to go all political and get readers angry with me, but I think the current political climate and especially the negativism directed toward the Washington is hindering the national psyche.  I remember the same anti Jimmy Carter sentiment forty years ago. When he left office and Ronald Regan became President, it was like a heavy burden was lifted off America. When Clinton was in office the economy soared. Then 911 occurred within months of George W. Bush's election. We have lived through fourteen years of anger over what happened on 911. Then we went through the Great Recession. I think there is a pent-up demand from a lot of Americans to feel good about themselves and the national economy.

I think housing prices in Key West will soar in the next couple of years. I think a lot of sellers are sitting on the sidelines waiting.  Just waiting. If I am correct, prices today that might seem high will seem like bargains in a couple of years. This has been the operative history for Key West for many years I have sold houses here. 

813 Waddell Avenue is offered at $1,125,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing of this 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.

1117 Watson Street - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed, but not by me, 1117 Watson Street in Old Town Key West. You have seen this same house on my blog a couple of times over the years.  But you have not seen it the way it looks now because the house has been totally updated and give a new houseanality. 

I searched the Historic Sanborn Maps to see if I could determine when the cigar maker cottage was built. The first map dates back to 1889 and it shows houses that existed as of that date.  1117 Watson Street was on that map except back then it was numbered 211 Watson Street.  I am making an assumption here that the number 211 Watson was given because Watson Street began at Division Avenue, which is now known as Truman Avenue.  This house is in the second block of Watson Street. In looking at the map I learned that numerous cigar numerous other cigar maker cottages fronted on to Watson Street while others ran perpendicular east from Watson.  In the 1912 map a wide space just south of the adjacent house was identified as "On Set Court".  That space today is where the shared pool in the Conch Grove Compound is located.

I then dug down into my old shoebox and found a photo of 1117 Watson Street that was taken in 1965. It is shown immediately below. I created a new image that shows the same house nearly fifty years apart. Take a look at all the changes.

This visage is now "history". The entry door is reversed to the south side and provides real access once again.

 If you read about this house before or if you saw it when it was previously listed, you may remember that the previous owners used the front room as the bedroom. While the original entry door stayed in place on the left side of the front porch, the actual entry to the house was located on the south side of the house. A fair amount of real estate was used to create a stairway to a second level loft that was very cramped and that had no practical utility. It was claustrophobic!  Seriously, detective Monk would have flipped out over the cramped space.  The current owner removed the loft sleeping area and stairway. The entry was taken back to the front porch but reversed to the south side.

The above photo shows the front entry door on the left. The single bedroom is on the right. There is a new kitchen, updated interiors, new bath, and a totally new aura to this 680 sq ft one bedroom cigar maker cottage.

The Conch Grove Compound is an assemblage of twelve homes many of which were original cigar maker cottages that were updated by different owners over the years. James Kirkwood (co-author of A Chorus Line) and the late David Kaufelt were among the original compound owners.  All homes share the large and sunny pool and park-like common areas.  The monthly association fee is $200 which covers common area and pool maintenance. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos of 1117 Watson Street.  This one bedroom one bath cigar maker's cottage is offered at $675,000.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing.I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.  Instead of meeting with architects, builders, and decorators, spend this summer by the big sunny pool getting the tan of your life.