1110 Elgin Lane, Key West, Florida

Recently added to the Key West real estate market is 1110 Elgin Lane which is shown in photos taken in 2014 and 1965.  If you compare the two photos you will see that decorative shutters were added and the front posts were replaced with some gingerbread attached. Otherwise, the house seems to look pretty much the same today as it did nearly fifty years ago. 1110 Elgin first appeared in the 1882 Sanborn Fire Map for Key West as #H  Elgin Street.  The numerical street identifier 1110 Elgin was added in the 1889 Sanborn Map. So we know this house existed as of 1882, but it could have been built as early as or after the Civil War. This house is located just a couple of blocks from the Historic Seaport which in the 1880s was the heart and soul of Key West commerce. Today the little lane, like so many of the slow lanes in Key West, is a sought after location for many second home owners.

1110 Elgin Lane was significantly updated in 2001 when the original house was expanded.  The second floor became a usable bedroom with the addition of a bathroom and dormers. Architect Tom Pope designed the renovation which included the addition of a new kitchen.  A significant wrap around porch was added on the west side and rear. This porch was designed and constructed so that a subsequent owner might enclose the space to enlarge the main house if desired. The owner preferred the covered outdoor living area as opposed to having more interior space. The 1998 renovation included the addition of a small guest cottage, bath and laundry at the rear of the property. The interiors of the main house were all updated. New windows and doors, electric, plumbing, and AC were all added as well. The wrap around porch bridges the space between the main house and guest cottage.

The renovations included the addition of bricked off street parking and a white picket fence which is de riguer for houses in Old Town. The brickwork continues beyond the parking and encircles much of the new pool and spa. A buyer that wants a pool in which you can really swim will find this pool more than adequate.   Today the combined living area of the main house and cottage are 1311 sq ft. The house sits on a double lot (50.25' X 78' or 3920 sq ft). 

The front porch provides a perfect perch to sit and watch the neighbors and the occasional tourists come and go, except there isn't much of either.  If you want to really watch people, you'll need to walk over the Seaport or over to Duval Street, either of which is a few minute walk.  When you open the front door you see lots of Dade County Pine walls that have been stripped and pickled. A eye catching stairway leads to the second floor.  The front room can be used as an office, den, or guest bedroom.

Notice the very narrow floor slats in the foyer

 The second floor bedroom and bath may need a bit of updating. The bedroom comes off a bit rustic even though it has wall to wall carpet. I'd remove the carpet and replace with wood floors. I might add drywall.  This would soften the area just a bit and probably make the space more comfortable.

 I took more photos of this intriguing property which you can see if you CLICK HERE.  Pay particular attention to the outdoor spaces.  While so many houses in Old Town have small outdoor spaces, this property has an abundance of covered and open outdoor spaces.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for $1,249,000.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this very charming historic Key West home.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

721 Windsor Lane - The Writer's Compound - Key West

Just listed, but not by me, 721 Windsor Lane which is located in the Writer's Compound in Key West.The old cottages and houses were once winter homes for writers such as Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Richard Wilbur; "Divine Comedy" translator John Ciardi; John Hersey author of "A Bell for Adano" and "Hiroshima", and Ralph Ellison who wrote "The Invisible Man".  The compound is located on Windsor Lane near the top of Solares Hill, the highest point in Key West. All of the houses in the compound sit behind a large privacy fence. Each house sits on its individually owned lot which is accessed via common area walkways. Also included in the common area is a beautiful pool and stunning gardens.  I don't reckon there is a more beautiful setting in any shared community in all of Key West.

The listing Realtor describes the property as:

"Charming Windsor Village community established for those 55 and older. This move-in ready cottage is beautifully designed utilizing its 591 sf to maximum effect. A welcoming front porch invites you to read a good book. Leading directly to the kitchen, the bright entry hall separates the living room from the bedroom. The living room features accent windows, a vaulted wood ceiling, & French doors leading to a private garden. Opening to an outdoor dining space, the sparkling new kitchen showcases custom cabinets & stainless steel appliances. The light-filled bedroom features a high ceiling, French doors & a newly renovated en suite bath. With the added bonuses of an outdoor shower, laundry & storage loft, this cottage undoubtedly lives large."

721 Windsor Lane is tucked away at the eastern edge of the compound providing the owner with complete privacy. A small front porch looks out to the bricked pathway that leads out to the common area and pool.  When you pass the front door you might assume this cottage which is only 591 square feet would be small. Tain't so. The living home has a vaulted ceiling. French doors provide lots of light and great views out to the garden. This is but a one bedroom home. The bedroom is opposite the living room. A side door opens out to the outdoor shower - a necessity in any Old Town home. The stylish kitchen even has room for a table and chairs for two. 

721 Windsor Lane is offered for sale at just $499,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and to view listing photos taken by Michael Philip at Doug Mayberry Realty who gave me permission to use in this blog.  Please call, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing. This will not last long.  Better act quick.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

522 Grinnell Street, Key West, Florida - A Virgin Restoration

Today marks the seventh time I have blogged about 522 Grinnell Street in Old Town Key West. Maybe this will be the last time I get to write about this property that I described as a "virgin" in an earlier blog. The view from the street as well as the inside indicated nothing had been done to update and protect the home for years and years. The home belonged to the same family since it was built in the 1880s until it was sold to the current owner in 2007. Up until then the  house was listed for sale by several different agents over the years. Instead of allowing the listing Realtor to show the house, the former owner insisted on doing all showings herself so that she could tell her family history as she moved from room to room. She said this house, like so many of the grand old homes in Key West, was built by ship chandlers. Key West was after all a major port. Large houses like this one had to be built to withstand strong winds and the elements. I remember standing on the second floor front balcony with the owner as she reminisced and told the story of her standing in the same spot with her father decades earlier as a huge storm passed across the eastern sky. Nothing happened. The house has withstood many storms over the years and will withstand more in the future.

If you look at the old black and white photo above as well as other front facing photos, you will see three sets of doors with pediments above. Petite French style total glass panels provide dramatic light in the living room. The third door is a bit of a mystery, however, because the door is not visible inside the house. That door is the backside of the interior stairway. And what a stairway it is. This stairway is ever-so-graceful. It has to be one of the most beautiful stairways in Key West. The stiles and handrail have been meticulously restored.  As you walk up the stairs take a look at the width of the Dade County Pine walls. You will see that many of the boards are extra wide. This indicates this wood came from old growth trees. All of the interior floors were refinished - not replaced.  Many of the floor planks are extra wide as well. 

The original doors, hardware, and door knobs were refurbished and put back into use. The original glass window panes were removed. The windows were all restored and made workable once again. The windows were re-glazed and look incredible.  An ancient addition to the back of the house was removed and a two story wrap around back porch was added. Portions of the front exterior were replaced. If you compare the front facade as shown in the black and white photo and compare it with the current color photo you won't see any difference. The back of the house, however, is totally changed. The views from the second floor rear balcony are incredible.

I would not call this house "grand", but there are many design elements that make this house very impressive nonetheless. They include the first and second floor wrap around porches. Inside, the main floor has a ceiling height of twelve feet. The second floor ceiling is a mere eleven feet. A south facing bay window in the living room and a north facing bay window in parlor add sophistication to this otherwise understated house. Two very large interior doors separate the living room from the dining room where there is a petite fire place. (There is no chimney, but what the heck. Having a fireplace in Key West is a hoot!  

Earlier I mentioned the non-functional front door and the stairway. What a stairway it is. This stairway is ever-so-graceful. It has to be one of the most beautiful stairways in Key West. The stiles and handrail have been meticulously restored.  As you walk up the stairs take a look at the width of the Dade County Pine walls. You will see that many of the boards are extra wide. This indicates this wood came from old growth trees. All of the interior floors were refinished - not replaced.  Many of the floor planks are extra wide as well.

 

CLICK HERE to view photos that show this historic home during various stages during and after the restoration.  Please look through the photos and see what treasures you may find. This home ought to appeal to a purist - a buyer who wants the closest thing to the original house. You will notice I did not post any photos of the kitchen.  There is no kitchen, but the room is restored and awaits the new owner's choice of cabinetry and appliances.  This home has off street parking and room for a large pool and possibly a cabana in the extra large rear yard.

522 Grinnell Street is offered at $2,000,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this simple but very elegant Key West home.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.