806 Virginia Street, Key West A Treat of a Retreat

A couple of days ago during Realtor Caravan I got to see a house that I never knew existed. I had driven by it many times and I have written about other homes on the same block. But for some reason 806 Virginia Street in Key West had never caught my eye. But after having seen it, I really want to find a buyer for it. It is an unexpected treat which could be the right buyers special retreat. Let me tell you why.

I went to my old shoebox and found one of my favorite photos of old Key West. It was taken in the 1920s and shows St. Mary's Catholic Church located on Truman Avenue. The property I am discussing today was not built until 1950. The photo shows what appear to be three two story homes located at the "T instersection" of Windsor Lane and Virginia Street. I marked where I think modern day 806 Virginia came to replace on of the earlier houses. None of the other two still exist either.

I also found a 1965 vintage photo of 806 Virginia Street. The physical appearance of the original house has not changed all that much compared to the 60's photo. The screened front porch on the left still exists as do the faux stones that trim many parts of the house. The windows were replaced and white picket fence has been added. There is gated off street parking to the right,

The screened porch leads into the great room. It looks as though the owner removed an original wall which may have compartmentalized the living, kitchen, and dining areas and combined the space into a modern open concept space. French doors were added on  the side leading out to the pool and garden area.

The listing Realtor describes 806 Virginia Street this way:

"This mid-century home, just blocks from Duval St, was custom designed and built to last with concrete block construction and permastone accents. French doors open to both the screened front porch and the spacious back deck and pool area, allowing island breezes to cool the interior and seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living spaces. High & dry in X-500 flood zone.Set on a huge lot with privacy fencing and mature landscaping, this is a secluded sanctuary in the heart of Old Town. Modern kitchen, hardwood oak floors, and custom iridescent pool tile are just a few of the other beautiful features. Private pool, off-street parking, and proximity to everything Key West has to offer make this the ideal tropical oasis."

This home was built in 1950 and does not look like any other house I have been inside in Key West especially any home of that era. Each of the three bedrooms is located on a corner with the master bedroom located just off the screened front porch (four photos above). Light filters through windows on two sides in each bedroom. This is just awesome.

The house sits on a 63' X 77' lot (4871 sq ft) which is quite large for Old Town. The pool is located on the west side of the lot. It was bright and sunny when I saw it a few days ago. The little cottage in the rear is where the laundry room is located. It is not large enough to be converted into a bedroom.  There is however more side yard over that way. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule an appointment to see this really nice home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. There is nothing to fix here. This place is as clean as a whistle and is in move-in condition. This home would make a wonderful year round home or the perfect Key West retreat.

730 Windsor Lane, Key West Florida

The listing Realtor describes 730 Windsor Lane this way:

"Have your morning con leches on the large front porch of this sweet two bedroom and two bath conch house located on Solares Hill. Many recent improvements including new kitchen, updated bathroom, sliding “barn” doors, bamboo flooring, and landscaping. Cute front yard and private rear deck. Home is currently configured with a mother-in-law suite but is easily converted back to a large first floor open floor plan."

I got to see this home a few weeks ago during Realtor caravan and realized I had not only been inside before but had also written a prior blog about this home. (That was in April 2011.) The current owner made many changes to the interior and exterior which is near picture perfect.  Those are Cuban tile floors on the front porch.

The listing Realtor mentioned that the current mother-in-law suite at the front of the house could easily be converted back into part of the first floor living space. See photo below which shows mom's place as it is at current. Mom should be paying about $1400 or $1500 per month for this place in this location. I'd make her pay it. A few years ago I took a photo from the front porch looking across Windsor Lane. (Below.) The view has not changed that much except that the trees are taller and more fully grown. A couple of houses on this section of Windsor Lane have been recently updated. The Key West Writer's Compound is still across the street. There is a plaque in front of 719 Windsor Lane, the former home of John Hersey.  I sold that charming little place several years ago. It was adorable. Charlie's Grocery is located down on the corner. That is the only commercial spot in this part of Old Town. You can get get your con leches there each morning or buy a lottery ticket or a loaf of bread.

Mother-in-law suite

730 Windsor Lane is offered for sale at $665,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more photos. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. This house is located three blocks from Duval Street and within easy walking distance to the Key West Seaport and several gyms and yoga studios.

1013 Southard Street, Key West Florida

Just Listed 1013 Southard Street, Key West. This a classic Key West grand conch house which just been restored and which is awaiting new owners to create new memories of life on this little island out in the middle of the ocean.

I dug into my old shoebox and found two black and white photos of 1013 Southard Street. The top photo was taken in 1965 before renovations were made by a prior owner. The lower photo shows the house looking in much better repair presumably a few years later. The Monroe County Property Appraiser records show the house sold in 1971 for $11,600.  I took the color photo immediately above in 2015 a couple of days before the current owner purchased the home.

Today, this home has been freshly renovated and is now offered at $2,195,000. The home is located on one of the best blocks in Old Town. The house across the street was the feature home in Architectural Digest a few years ago when it was owned by the former CEO of one of America's media giants. The Gingerbread-Man house is also located across the street. It is much smaller but ever so cute. Those are just two of fourteen homes on this special block.

First Floor Master Suite

The listing Realtor describes 1013 Southard Street this way:

"Double porches and historic details are part of the charm and character of this old town Key West home in a sought after location. There are three bedrooms, two and a half baths,including a first floor master en suite, plus a den. The kitchen and great room open to the covered dining loggia and a new heated pool and spa. Lush mature trees, off street parking and most furniture conveys."

 The indoor and outdoor areas merge into one large space when the French doors are opened. This is a way we all live in Key West. The living in this home will be pretty easy as everything is just perfect.Upstairs there are two more bedrooms. One looks out to the pool area below.  I snapped an iphone pic looking out through the Juliet balcony. On most winter nights you could sleep in this room with the windows open.  During the daytime you can see the charming cottages on Lowe Lane.

One of the primary reasons homes like this are referred to as "grand conchs" is the first and second floor front porches. The give the owners perfect perches upon which to sit and watch the world go by. This home has an excellent view of the wonderful homes on this block.

You may not appreciate the grandeur of sitting up on a porch like this watching everybody going by looking up at the pretty houses thinking "someday that could be mine".  This home is waiting for that someone right now. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West, the listing brokerage.