800 Fleming Street #A2, Key West - Newly Listed

The listing Realtor describes the newly listed second floor condominium at The William Fleming House in Key West, Florida this way:

"A splendid 2/2 corner condominium unit combines modern conveniences with Old World charm, just steps from downtown. This exceptional unit, with 14-ft. ceilings throughout, occupies the south-west corner of the second-floor of the majestic William Fleming House, an historic 1890s Old Town structure. The sunken/dining room area, greets guests with its gorgeous Dade County pine walls, floor, and ceiling. Built-in bookshelf/storage areas lend the space a So Ho loft feel. Below the sleeping loft/storage space, which overlooks the living area, is a stylish kitchen appointed with modern appliances, and a handsome pressed-quartz counter top. A brand-new Kenmore washer and dryer are tucked into one of the approaches to the kitchen. Both of the the airy bedrooms open onto a wraparound porch, with views of William and Fleming streets. The bathrooms, including the en-suite master bath, have been recently updated. A valuable off-street parking spot and pool/common area access complete this unique offering."

The William Fleming House is the closest thing we have to a "high-rise" in Key West. The facade looks much different today than it did during the previous century. I found two old photos showing the building as it looked when the building was known it was the known as being the location of Peacon Grocery and later as Long's Furniture. Mr. Peacon was the owner of the grand house at 712 Eaton Street which was briefly owned by designer Calvin Klein. I like the way the developer of the William Fleming House added balconies around the perimeter of the building. I doubt that a present day developer would be able to make such a bold change to a similar building. Our Historic Architectural Review Commission probably would not allow that to occur. They are dogmatic about so many things. That is unfortunate in my opinion because it stifles creativity. The balconies provide exterior space for the owners to enjoy their homes and to watch the world go by.

 

This unit can be accessed via the formal entrance on William Street or the exterior staircase on the rear adjacent to the off street parking for unit owners. The pool is located opposite the parking. The first time you enter the unit you'll be amazed at the ceiling height - 14 feet.  Then you'll see the

The SO-HO loft analogy is on point. This developer created an imaginative use of space not seen elsewhere in town. Oh, there are "lofts" located off living rooms, but they are normally accessed by means of a ladder. Spaces like that are awkward and practically useless on a daily basis. Here the loft becomes a design feature and not an after thought. It can function as a home office or spare sleeping space.

The kitchen opens out to the combined living and dining area. A breakfast bar provides informal dining space. The dining area is quite large and lends itself to grand entertaining for special occasions.

Each of the bedrooms has a door which opens out to the balcony. The balcony provides a pleasant perch to ponder to watch the comings and goings of the locals and tourists as they go about their business. At night even this beehive of activity comes to a halt. But during the daytime, people watching can be great fun.

The pool area provides both sunny and shady locations to enjoy the large pool. There is a nice bar-b-que and outdoor dining area plus restrooms. And unlike some well known tourists condos in Truman Annex, you won't be sharing the pool or facilities with dozens of strangers. You are more likely to be the only person or family using this pool. If you are a potential buyer who would like to do an occasional monthly vacation rental of this unit, you'll be happy to learn the association does permit monthly rentals. The location is perfect and you may rent the place so often you will have to choose between income over personal enjoyment. That's a predicament!

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and to view more photos of 800 Fleming Street A2 which is offered at $995,000. 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 Key West.

Remembering 9/11 from Key West

I was driving some buyers around  Old Town Key West the other day and noticed American flags on all sorts of houses. That's not uncommon, but there were more of them being displayed than normal. And I recalled the 15th Anniversary of 9/11 was approaching. That explained it. 

I was in New York City a few weeks ago. That was my first visit since 1998. On the morning of  my first full day there, I took the subway to the Fulton Street Station. I emerged into a hot and humid colossus of towering buildings and streets with barricades. I wandered around with map in hand, turned a corner and then I saw it. I paused and took a photo.

I walked for several blocks until I reached the new One World Trade Center and Memorial. I was awed as were the thousands of people at the site. There were people everywhere. People from all over the world. I know this because they were not speaking English. I stood by the memorial and watched a family with little blonde children looking up at the buildings - probably not comprehending what all the fuss was about. They will someday. And for those of us who saw the terrible events unfold on live TV fifteen years ago today, we will never forget.

America is Great!

It never stopped being Great!

It is time for All of Us to respect each other today the way we respected the Heroes of 9/11.  Respect is earned by the deeds we do and the way we live our lives on a daily basis and not just when we are on display.  Teach our children well. They are our future.

817 Eaton Street, Key West Florida - Just Listed!

Just Listed!, but not by me, 817 Eaton Street Unit 1, Key West, Florida. This once grand single family home was converted into a five unit condominium in 2003. This unit is located on the first floor and has a wonderful view of the front garden.

 This property is located in the heart of Old Town. Most of the homes on Eaton Street were grand houses - most, but not all. The houses are amongst the finest examples of architectural styles that make our island home so rich and inviting. You'll love living in such a refined living space. This ground floor unit means you won't have to climb a lot of stairs. That will prove invaluable as you begin to age. But until then, it means you can run out of the house and be on your way to start a new day in Paradise.

When you enter this home you are awed by the ceiling height. This must have been quite a house back in the day. What was the original entrance hall is now the kitchen. If you think that means the kitchen is dinky, think again. Remember I said this house was grand. What may have been the parlor in the late 1800s  is now the living room and what may have been the dining room is the bedroom in this one bedroom condominium with 805 sq ft of living space.

The current owner added a breakfast bar perfect for two. What might you do to make this kitchen space your kitchen eatery?

The bedroom is located behind glass doors to provide privacy when required. Notice the height above the doors. You may not think the height is that big of a deal. Well, I think it is and I suggest any serious buyer compare the use of space and height in this unit to something of more recent construction a few blocks to the west in Truman Annex where you will get something smaller in size and less grand in construction for a bit higher price. Size matters.

The bedroom opens directly into the bathroom which has a separate entrance for use by guests. There are guest houses located a block away for those occasions you have guests. Surely they will come. But you don't need to wine and dine and provide them a bed. They can figure out this little island for themselves and share coffee or cocktails with you.

 The original house at 817 Eaton Street was built in 1892. The condominium developer added on to to the building when it was converted into condominiums in 2003. Four of the units are located in the Eaton Street building and the fifth unit is the detached "carriage house" located on Gecko Lane. Gecko Lane is the small lane just to the right of the telephone pole in the photo. There are three incredible homes on this inconspicuous lane.

I have shown each of the units over the years since 2003. I believe the condo conversion was thoughtful. Each of the units has a good layout with comfortable living spaces. This particular unit has the sole use of the front porch. There is no pool nor other common outside area. I took more PHOTOS which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

If you are looking for a large condominium in Old Town within walking distance to everything Old Town has to offer, this may be the property you have been waiting for. I know a lot of people say they must have a pool. Finding a nice unit like this with as much quality living space at this price with a pool is problematic. I have a very viable and very affordable alternative. Buy this place and walk two blocks to Dante's.  Dante's is located at the historic seaport. For the price of a couple of drinks, you can lay by the pool all day long. A lot of locals do it. We have a lot of really cool and interesting people who live here. You might even meet somebody to brighten your life there.

 I went over to the unit earlier this morning to take some photos of the nearby marina. It's just a block away. Imagine walking the dog and stopping by your favorite coffee spot to watch the waterfront come alive. One of my favorites for breakfast or lunch is Harpoon Harry's. It's located around the block at the corner of Margaret at Caroline Streets. The waterfront is magical before all the tourists and boat day-trippers start to arrive. The new 24 Hour Gym is located a block away as well. Duval Street is three blocks to the west. People save all year to come here for a week or two. You could live here all year and live your life the way you dream of.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS database on 817 Eaton Street #1 which is offered at $529,000. Then please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.