909 South Street, Key West - Won't You be My Neighbor

You have be an unsentimental and crotchety old curmudgeon not to remember the lyrics and more importantly the message of Mr. Rogers' opening song to his daily program: "Won't You Be My Neighbor?".

The message to me was that as a neighbor you belong to a place, a special place, which you share  with people with common values. It's a place where you meet again and again as you share your daily routines like walking the dog, tending your garden, washing the car, and  a million other little things we do in our daily lives. Our neighborhood is not only where we live but who we live near and and how we interact with each other on a routine basis. If we are lucky, our home is where we feel safe and at ease. This is where we build our nest and where we dream about tomorrow. When Mr. Rogers sang "It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor" you just knew that he was singing to you." And it is that concept of nest building that makes finding a really nice home listed at an affordable price so inviting to prospective buyers who want to find a place in Key West.

I live in the Casa Marina Area of Key West. It is the area located south of United Street from Vernon Street (where you walk south on your way to Louie's Backyard) to White Street to the east (where you walk south and end up at the White Street Pier on the Atlantic Ocean). The area is comprised mostly of mid-century homes most of which have been updated. There are some historic houses like the two pictured above and there is new construction as well. Many of the streets are flanked by giant palm trees and magnificent Royal Poinciana trees. Most of the lots measure 5,000 square feet or more and many of the lots extend out to the street because much of the area has no sidewalks. The result is a more rural rather than urban feel. And the neighborhood is better for it. Louie's Backyard, the El Ranch Motel,  and the Casa Marina Resort are the only three commercial enterprises in the residential area.

I never really noticed the newly listed home at 909 South Street in Key West until it hit our mls. I live about one block away. I have never seen through the palm trees and tropical foliage that protects this special home from the eyes of strangers passing by. But that's all changed and I am here to report my thought about this really attractive home located in the Heart of the Casa Marina Area.

I searched through my old shoe box and found a photo of this property which was taken over fifty years ago. I was then able to see how this house evolved over the years. The 3700 Sq ft lot measures 40 ft wide by 93 ft deep. The house itself sits to the right rear of the lot. The old photo shows the original building was used as car storage at ground level with a second level living area accessed via an exterior staircase.  That's all changed now. But the bungalow style of the original structure is still quite evident.

The listing realtor describes the home this way:

"Private Home In The Heart Of The Casa Marina Neighborhood. Nicely finished, two bedrooms and two bathroom with hardwood floors, French doors, stainless appliances, gas stove & oven, metal roof and teak wood accenting. Private free-form kidney shaped pool with a large tropically landscaped lot and brick paver patio. Two off-street parking spaces. Located in a X'' Flood Zone."

You enter into this home via on of three sets of French doors which open out to the lagoon style pool. A bay window in the living area looks out to the front yard and garden area. Inside this house has a real comfy-cozy feel. It's almost as if the interior were a part of a sailing ship. A metal and wood spiral staircase lead to the second floor master bedroom area. The kitchen is located at the aft portion of the house. Multiple sets of stained wood casement windows provide muted views off the rear of this home. The real wood floors blend in nicely with the stained "arches" in the kitchen. The kitchen has a bit of a galley feel.

 

The second floor bedroom somewhat continues the nautical theme, but only to a point. The ceiling height is a bit vaulted and gives this room a very spacious fee. The wood windows and rich wood floors play off the white walls and ceiling to make this space feel so warm and inviting. There is also a semi-enclosed porch off the upper bedroom. Perhaps a new owner might incorporate this space in the living area.

The main floor bedroom and bath are located on the far side of the pool. French doors from this room open out to the pool.

Higg's Beach, the public playground, the doggie park, the bocci courts, and Salute on the Beach are all within easy walking distance to 909 South Street. Fausto's Grocery is also within walking distance or a simple jaunt on the bike. They have a real butcher there. There are numerous small restaurants, gyms, and yoga studios in the same area just a few blocks away from the residential area. The commercial and beaches are near, but they are distinct to themselves. The residential area is just that- residential.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos of 909 South Street. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  I live in and love this neighborhood. I am close to the beach and Old Town. I can be at the shopping centers in about 5 minutes - even when the tourists are in town. The area has big streets, big skies, beautiful yards and mature, lush trees. And it is quiet. Won't you be my neighbor.  

For loyal readers who wonder where I have been, I was out of town this past week attending services for a Dear Friend who suddenly passed away. 

1503 South Street, Key West - a Bit of Old Town in Mid Town

Who'd-a-thunk you could buy a genuine Old Town house in Mid Town Key West with a virgin-like yard.d home.  Read on and you will learn more. But look just below to see the same house after it was moved from the 600 block of Simonton Street to permit construction of the old firehouse at Simonton and Angela Streets.

The listing Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West describes this property this way:

"This charming property has never before been offered for sale and it is a one of a kind in this neighborhood. The house is considered a historic structure, having been moved to this location from Simonton Street in the late 1940's and features the sawtooth roofline found in many Old Town cottages. Instead of being landlocked, it sits on a 9400 sf lot offering the opportunity to build an accessory unit plus pool & gardens. The house was completely renovated from the structure up in 2011 and features vaulted ceilings, an open kitchen/living area, a beautiful kitchen with white Kraft Maid cabinetry and granite countertops, porcelain tile floors throughout and all new windows which invite in loads of natural light. There are three bedrooms and two baths off a central hallway, shotgun style. At the rear of the property is a fantastic workshop and covered patio flanked by many fruit trees including mango, cherry, guava, key lime and banana. If you are looking for space, this is for you!"

This newly rebuilt home looks so bright and cheery on the outside and that same warmth continues when you open the door to the vaulted ceiling and great room. The old walls were removed and the interior reconfigured for our modern lifestyle.

A central hallway leads to the three bedrooms and two baths. A glass door at the rear leads to the covered patio and nearby workshop.  You rarely get to see a green yard in Key West. This has got to be greener and in better shape than the nearby Bayfront Park.

Although there are two separate lots, this property is being offered as one parcel which includes the house and all of the land. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for 1503 South Street, Key West and to view more listing photos.  This property is as clean as a whistle and awaits the creative touch a new owner may bring to this unexpected treasure. 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 Key West.

3 Aronovitz Lane, Key West - Slow Lane Living

On my third trip to Key West in 1986 I spent much of the time looking for a place to buy. When the trip was over, my Realtor picked me up at my guesthouse and took me to the airport to return to Colorado. As we drove east on Fleming Street she had to stop her car for a dog laying in the street to wake up and get out of the way. Serious.  Today there's too much traffic for any dog to even lay down in a street let alone take a dirt nap - except, maybe, on a slow lane. 

Longtime readers of my little blog know my fondness of the slow lanes in Key West. A "slow lane" is not a phrase: it is a lifestyle. Some people love to sit on their porch and watch tourists and locals go past their homes. It's almost like a sport. Others prefer not to see or be bothered by anybody. Since so much of Old Town is so tightly packed most of the streets here are by definition well traveled.  I will be you that if you buy 3 Aronovitz Lane that your dog can lay in the little street and will not get bothered by tourists or locals passing by. Most locals and few tourists have never heard of this street nor know where it is.

I looked in my old shoe box and found a photo taken more than fifty years ago that shows the house as it then existed. I looked through my Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when it was built. I searched each map starting with 1889 through 1912 but the entire lane was omitted from each map yet the surrounding buildings and houses on Duval, Southard, Angela, and Whitehead Streets were shown. This large area may have been stables. Even today there is an expansive paved parking area located on the backside of today's featured home.

The listing Realtor describes 3 Aronovitz Lane in Key West this way:

"Stunning Renovation of this classic Historic Cottage located just steps from Duval on a quiet one way street. Beautifully Reclaimed Dade County Pine coupled with gorgeous pine floors, coffered ceilings and elegant finishes throughout. Open Kitchen and Living room appointed with Custom Cabinetry and granite countertops. Living space opens via French doors to private pool and sunny filled patio. Property is being offered turnkey with stylish furniture package. Located in x-zone."

As soon as you open the front door to this freshly renovated Conch Cottage you know everything is going to be alright. Everything just looks perfect. They didn't miss a beat. The Dade County Pine walls and new wood floors are set off by the crisp white trim and crown molding.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and the listing photos. What you cannot see in the photos today is the new pool that is in place but not yet finished.  3 Aronovitz Lane will have a smallish splash pool that is larger than a cocktail pool.  The house is offered with the stylish furniture package shown at the offer price of $895,000. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this really cute renovation located just one-half block from Duval Street. This house would make an excellent vacation rental. It is near everything. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.