316 Peacon Lane, Key West Florida

Just listed by Preferred Properties 316 Peacon Lane near the Historic Key West Seaport in Old Town Key West. If you read my blog regularly you already know that I'm like Lady Ga Ga about the slow lanes of Key West. Peacon Lane is one of the more user friendly of the lanes because you can actually drive a car into and out of the lane. Some of the smaller lanes require that you park your car on the street and walk to your house. I like those really slow and quiet lanes, but some owners have this incessant need to be near to their cars. This home, however, has off street parking directly in front.  Click the MAP to see the location of Peacon Lane. It's easy to miss the lane if you are not looking for it. As a result most tourists miss it and don't drive that live on Peacon Lane residents to distraction with senselessly beeping scooter horns. The black and white photo below shows the late David Kaufelt discussing the Calvin Klein House with participants in a Key West literary seminar. That house is located exactly opposite Peacon Lane and is part of the distraction. People look at that wonderful home and miss the turn.

The black and white photo in the above middle was taken of Peacon Lane in 1937. The same houses are there. There are still people walking on the lane. Prices have risen - a bit.

I dug down into my old shoebox and found the black and white picture above which shows 316 Peacon Lane in 1965. The color photos shows the front of the house as it appears today. There is bricked parking in front as well as places for bikes. This location is convenient for walking and biking anywhere in Old Town. I also checked the Historic Sanborn Fire Maps to determine when this home may have been built. It appeared in 1889 Sanborn Map and was then identified as A5 on Grunt Bone Lane which eventually became Peacon Lane. The A5 house numerator got changed to 116 Grunt Bone and later 316 Peacon Lane. The early Maps identified several small stores on the lane. This area was one block from the seaport and it makes sense that small businesses would have been located nearby. Today there are two commercial buildings on the corner at Caroline Street. Otherwise, Peacon Lane is known for its quaint single family homes including these below.

If you lived at 316 Peacon Lane you'd hardly know about all of the nearby hubbub because the house is so insulated by the location. It doesn't any more charming than this. Imagine sitting on your front porch having coffee and watching nothing happen still knowing the historic seaport and its famous eateries are within a few minute walk as is world famous Duval Street. But the houses you would see are the sweet relics of a hundred and fifty years ago or so.

The house was thoroughly renovated and expanded about ten years ago when the new rear addition and pool were added. The original Dade County Pine was preserved and now is the centerpiece of the front part of the home. The open living area is more contemporary in design. The two ages blend together quite well. Clerestory windows on either side of the great room and over the dual sets of French doors to the rear deck bring abundant daytime light into this space give the space a much broader spatial feel.

Today there is a nice private pool plus good sized rear deck for sunning and socializing.

The renovated house now has 1986 sq ft of living space divided between the two floors. The first floor has a full bedroom and bath. There is a large second floor front bedroom also with private bath. The master bedroom is quite large and includes an en-suite bath with shower and tub, ample closets, and a private roof-top deck with great views.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing of this great Old Town home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

414 Louisa Street, Key West - Just Listed!

Just listed, but not by me, 414 Louisa Street, Key West Florida. Buyers seeking a nice house in a good location with a pool, parking, and potential rental income should take a look before somebody else scoops this up. I have written about this house several times over the past few years as the house was tweaked here and there by successive owners. The current owner has made it better than ever. Let's take a look.

I looked around in my old shoebox and found the black and white picture taken back in 1965 before any of the current renovations occurred. The color photo two above was taken in 2013 before the most recent updates. Notice the falling-down fence in the foreground. That lot sat vacant for decades.  Soon after that photo was taken a brand new home was built on the lot. The third and fourth photos show 414 Louisa Street as it looks today together with the new house next door. That large green space to the rear of the new house is Duval Street. Remember that.

This 970 sq ft cigar maker cottage is somewhat typical as to how old homes are re-purposed for modern life in Key West. A long hallway leads to the open living area in the rear. Both bedrooms, each with en-suite baths, are located up front. A ladder in the hallway leads to a secret loft space which offers sleeping space for the guests you don't want to stay forever.  There is AC up there.

Some of the recent renovations include new wood flooring, new central air conditioning, new windows, and thorough exterior painting. The house shows very well. If you saw it a few years ago, you need to see it again. It is better. The pool area looks especially better. The house is offered fully furnished - TURN KEY. 

I took the above photo from the bedroom of a Duval Street commercial and residential building in January 2016.  The new house on Louisa Street is the larger, more prominent structure. 414 Louisa Street is nearly invisible from this vantage point. I add this photo to demonstrate the proximity to Duval Street and all that offers to an owner who seeks vacation rental income. You cannot beat the location for proximity, yet the house is far enough removed that noise and traffic do not effect the property.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 414 Louisa Street offered at $939,000. 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.

409 Grinnell Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed - 409 Grinnell Street, Key West, Florida. This lovingly restored four bedroom historic two story Conch Home was awarded the Historic Florida Keys Ceramic Star for 2014.  

The current owners then tweaked the place ever-so-kindly with the aid of architect Rob Delaune who redesigned the kitchen, added a new Ipe deck, coral stone patio, pool with water feature, and a seductive outdoor shower.

The house first appeared in the 1889 Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West. I was surprised to learn that the adjacent Elgin Lane was named "Hidalgo Alley" in 1889. The renovated house now has four bedrooms including one of the first floor where there is also a full bath. Step out of the master bedroom onto the second floor covered porch and watch the world pass by below.

CLICK HERE to view more photos of 409 Grinnell Street, Key West. The attic provides additional storage. It is accessed via pull down staircase. There is a wood floor and the area is lighted.

You cannot beat the convenient location near the Old Town Bakery and 24 Hour Fitness. One place will put the pounds on and the other will take it off. Both can be fun. Duval Street and all that means is a quick five to seven minute walk. The Historic Seaport is two blocks to the north. Your family, friends, and guests won't want to go back home.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 409 Grinnell Street, Key West, Florida. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am the Exclusive Listing Realtor of this beautifully restored Old Town treasure offered TURN KEY at $1,275,000. Preferred Properties Key West.

Merry Christmas 2018 from Key West

Merry Christmas Everybody!  Thank you for reading my ramblings, nostalgic looks backwards, my prognostications about the future, and my buyer alerts for those true bargain properties that still pop up from time to time in Key West. I know it's difficult to accept that a "several" thousands of dollars can be a 'bargain" but who ever thought a movie actor would have become a President of that half of Americans could believe the Russians are our friends.  Key West is a tiny little island out in the middle of the ocean. Once you are here, what goes on up north in America doesn't matter all that much.  Getting to own your first home in Key West is only the beginning to the rest of your life. Believe!