923 Angela Street, Key West - A Storybook Cottage

Just Listed, but not by me, 923 Angela Street in Key West. I wrote a couple of blogs about this charming house a few years ago when it was then listed for sale. Let's look at the front facade and see how it has changed since first photographed in 1965 and progress to how it looks in 2017.

1965

2012

2017

The listing Realtor describes this Old Town home this way:

"A storybook cottage perfectly renovated for discerning tastes. Tucked away on one of Old Town's secluded, charming lanes, 923 Angela is one of the historic Conch cottages that make Key West famous. Two bedrooms and two full baths, including an expansive upstairs master retreat with a walkout to the sweet, tree-top roof deck. Brilliant, dappled natural light plays across the interior's historic Dade County pine walls and restored floors, while a new, high-end kitchen and dining area provide a superb entertaining space. The second bedroom, which could easily become a guest suite or office opens onto the new pool and landscaped courtyard with its touch-of-whimsy outdoor shower. With its perfect front porch for sunset views and consistent, cooling breezes, this home offers casual Key West living in a storybook setting. Located in the X flood zone."

This is a one and one-half story cottage with 1254 sq ft of compact but very cleverly designed living space. I use the word "designed" intentionally because the new owner made some very clever changes and additions when he renovated this house. What you cannot see but should appreciate is the replacement of old piers under the house and the new floor system. The Dade County walls and ceiling survive but do not overpower the place.

I snuck in a photo of the vintage kitchen as photographed in 2012 so that you can see how much the space changed and see how the space evolved. The most obvious change is the new cabinetry. A new base cabinet was added next to the wall where an open storage space got all dressed up with a door. Another base cabinet was added to the end wall to create a credenza for more kitchen storage. A custom dining space was added with wood counter top with especially fine joinery. Look just under the top to see five spaces for wine bottles. The stools get tucked out of the way when not in use.

I am not a fan of trendy decorating thingies. When I first noticed the hanging barn door in the first floor rear bedroom I questioned why. But if you consider this owner put the door in the bedroom and not in the dining area you realize the door is not the focus of attention but rather a convenient way to save space and create utility. Clever! Not having a pool was always a problem for this house. Now it has one. It fits right in like it was always there. But it wasn't. I stepped to the east side and found an outdoor shower where the base is a surf board. Clever again! As in the inside, the outside is minimalist in design carried out masterfully.

To explain the wondrous second floor, I must show you the previous incarnation. Look below.

East gable before

The stairway enters directly into the bedroom area which previously had no closet nor bathroom. The owner created a one level closet/room divider at the east end gable and added a new bathroom at the west rear gable. The square hatch window to the rear deck was previously existing. The A/C was elevated to the side of the deck bringing the noise up in the air making way for the pool down below. The bathroom is quite spacious. I especially loved the custom quartz sink the seems to hover over the white cabinets. This ultimate class in my opinion. The late afternoon light in this room is incredible which reminds me that the view from the deck will amaze you in May and June when the Royal Poinciana tree in the neighboring yard goes into full bloom. It's a killer. Speaking of which, this home is located opposite the Key West cemetery.

 

923 Angela Street is offered at $1,078,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing.  Let's take a look. You will be charmed by this storybook cottage. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

627 Elizabeth Street, Key West - Sitting Pretty Atop Solaris Hill

The Real Deal - Sitting Pretty Atop Solaris Hill

Who wouldn't fall in love with an historic Cigar Maker's Cottage located in Old Town atop Solaris Hill within easy walking distance to everything but far enough away not to be in the middle of it all? I took the photo above several years ago when I was listing agent on a big old fixer. Since then the the fixer houses across the street and next door to the south have been completely renovated. Local artist Rich Worth immortalized 627  Elizabeth Street. See photo below.

The listing Realtor describes 627 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West this way:

"Location meets Quintessential Conch cottage in harmony at this 3bd/2.5ba gem with sunny pool and beautiful finish details throughout. This charming light filled home has been expanded to create a private 2nd story master suite. Enjoy an open floor plan that boasts cathedral ceiling finished in wood and built in entertainment center.  A spacious custom kitchen is the perfect segue through double French doors to a sunny back deck with ample room for dining, lounging or a dip in the heated pool. Two additional light filled rooms share a custom Jack and Jill bathroom plus a half bath for guests. An ideal location atop Solaris Hill, don't miss this charmer offered turnkey furnished with an established vacation rental history."

The original home was meticulously restored from the ground up including piers and other structural elements. I got to go through the house on several different times while the renovation was in progress. I saw the attention to detail put into this home as it was supposed to be the retirement home for my friend. The economy went sour and the dream home was sold. The home however is the perfect little home atop the highest point in Key West. The front entry is located on on the left side of the home. The entry hall has a vaulted ceiling that adds drama and flair as the hall progresses toward the new addition at the rear. Two bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath located between them are situated at the front of the home. A convenient guest bath is located at the end of the hallway just before the hallway opens to the living area with an expansive vaulted ceiling. An ever so delicate staircase is located at the far end of the living area. That staircase provides access to the second floor master bedroom and bath at the back of the new rear addition. You will find the deluxe kitchen with beautiful cabinetry and stainless steel appliances located at the rear of the home. French doors from the kitchen out to the large deck and pool area. Offered at $1,399,999.

First floor front bedroom could be used as office or study

First floor Jack and Jill bath

First floor second bedroom

Master bedroom and en-suite bath located on second floor in new rear addition

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on this perfectly located Old Town cottage and then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a personal visit. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

3322 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Let' Look

I wrote about 3322 Flagler Avenue in Key West a few months ago  I liked this three bedroom two bath home because it reminded me of my youth and also because of the large tropical backyard which has a lot of potential. The listing real estate agent describes this home this way:

"Centrally located and beautifully well maintained home. Full 3 bedroom 2 bath with dinning alcove. Large fenced yard that is wonderfully landscape, with covered back patio, out door shower, storage shed and plenty of room for a pool. Off street parking for 2 cars, one spot covered. This is a must see, easy to show, currently owner occupied."

I've got news for you.

This home was built in 1958 and is pretty typical of many homes of that era. It's just been updated with a new metal roof, new windows with approved storm shutters for wind insurance mitigation credit, new kitchen cabinets, new light fixtures and ceiling fans, plus sundries like curtain rods and drapes. The house is freshly painted and is in basic move-in condition. The terrazzo floor is in really good condition as well. That means someone moving to Key West from far away won't need to arrive in Key West and start to clean and redo a property before they can move in.  If you think a quick "update" or a "freshening" is quick I've got news for you: it isn't. Seemingly little projects always take longer to do and cost a lot more than anybody ever intends. Let me show you what's been done.

This home is a bachelor pad right now. The bumper pool table is confirmation of that. But the living area is large enough for a real family. The living room is quite spacious. Note the dining alcove. Muted sunlight provides a cheery place for daytime meals. The space may be large enough to become a fourth bedroom. The adjacent new kitchen gleams. A door at the rear exits out to the west side yard which leads to the front covered parking or to the rear garden where there is abundant room for a pool.

The front bedroom has three windows which adds a bit of drama to what often-times is a boring space in many mid century homes. This house is an upgrade from could be mundane. The color choices used between the various bedrooms works as well. The colors play off the whites, blacks, and grays of the terrazzo floors.

The windows of the left rear bedroom look out to the rear garden. This room is quite spacious. While it is used as an office by the current owner, it has ample space for a king, queen, or bunk beds plus bedroom furniture. Both the front and rear bedrooms share the use of the hallway bath that has also been updated.

The master bedroom has a full en-suite bath. A sliding door opens out the very large rear yard where there is ample room for a large pool. The lot measures 60' X 114' or 6840 sq ft total. That is much larger than a typical lot in Mid Town or New Town and even larger than many lots in the Casa Marina Area. This lot is much nicer than comparable other houses on the market. I know that buyers don't appreciate landscaping as much as they should. Sodding a yard and planting mature trees the size of those pictured would add thousands of dollars to place in a similarly sized lot that is a blank slate.

I took a lot of photos of this home which you can see if you CLICK HERE. They provide many angles of each space plus photos of the building exterior and garden area. I don't want potential buyers to miss the genuine money saving opportunities this house provides as it sits for immediate move-in plus potential to add a pool later on. This is a clean house where the drudge work has been done. Nothing new needs done to the inside or to the house. The yard is nicely landscaped. There is room for a large pool if that is something that a new owner wants. But the place is perfectly fine as it sits. The yard is a safe place for the kids to play.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 3322 Flagler Avenue. Then please call me,  Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let's go take a look. I think you will be genuinely impressed by this home which is offered for sale at $569,000.