715 Duval Street, Key West - You Won't Believe This

I got a chance to see Preferred Properties new listing at 715 Duval Street in Key West a couple of days ago along with about sixty other Realtors. I think we were all in shock and awe. Who would ever imagine you could find a newly completely rebuilt two story condominium with private pool and two parking spaces on Duval Street. Let's take a look.

The entrance to the home is actually off Dupont Lane which runs parallel to Duval Street and ends at this property where there are are two parking spaces. A very tall privacy fence surrounds the pool and grounds. A stairway leads to the second floor covered balcony which is also the entrance into the property.

The building has a first floor commercial condominium which is used for retail sales. This two story unit is the only other condominium and is only residential use. We entered into the living room from the second floor covered balcony.  Realtors heads were looking up and around this  area in amazement. The space was voluminous in size yet cozy. Two sets of impact resistant glass paneled doors allow buffered daytime light into the area. A dormer off the front allows more western light into the living area. The kitchen is super-sleek and has dazzling stainless steel appliances. Three windows which look down onto Duval Street.

The master suite (blue) is located on the east side of the unit. The master bath includes a soaking tub and extra large shower plus dual sink vanity. The orange guest bedroom and bath are located on the west side. Windows look down onto Duval Street. This building was built new in 1991 and was damaged in a fire after the owners purchased it. Everything inside and most of the exterior have been replaced including all new impact windows and doors. You cannot hear any noise from Duval Street.

The third guest bedroom and bath are located on the third floor which also provides access to the rooftop deck which overlooks Duval Street. The Realtors were all snapping pics and vloging that view.  The deck is immense and has room for two separate tables plus deck chairs for people watching. 

This unit has 2512 square feet of interior living space plus two large decks and the swimming pool area. It offers stylish interiors for buyers who want the best and who crave a location near all the attractions available in Old Town. There are NO condominium fees. CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and superb listing photos of 715 Duval Street offered at $2,799,000. 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.  You will believe it after you see it.

1206 Margaret Street, Key West - Move-in Ready

The absolutely delightful little house at 1206 Margaret Street in Key West is now available for purchase at $1,195,000.  It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool, spa, decks, and is move-in ready.  I remember being inside this house several years ago before it was renovated. I even thought I wrote about it in my blog which is "searchable". Alas I could not find the before blog if I indeed wrote one. I did find a photo taken in 1965 which shows how the house looked back then. See below.

The late 2019 version of 1206 Margaret Street is an improvement on the original. The black and white photo gives readers a better perspective about the size of the lot which measures 43' X 96' that is located in the X Flood Zone.  This home is located in the South of Truman area of Old Town. United Street, located one-half block to the south, is a geological shelf and the second highest elevation in Key West. The lot provides off street parking.

The house has all new doors and windows, new kitchen, bathrooms, new TREX decks, including a covered side dining deck just off the kitchen. The kitchen dazzles with stainless steel appliances including a wine cooler. The original floors were saved and refinished. The house abounds with architectural interest in the ceiling moldings and trim.

The third bedroom is located behind the kitchen. The current owners use this space as a den with sofa bed when the occasional guest needs a place to sleep. French doors open out to the new deck. There is a hot tub, pool, gazebo, plus covered side deck. The area is totally private.

The  two primary bedroom and bathrooms are located on the north side of the house. Everything you see in the photos is clean as can be.  There is, to repeat, nothing to do here. Furnishings are negotiable.

El Siboney restaurant is located at the corner of Margaret and Catherine. Walk four blocks west and you'll end up at Banana Cafe which is absolutely delightful. You may find me there on Christmas Eve. ooh la la is an understatement.

 CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and more listing photos of 1206 Margaret Street, Key West. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this charming Key West home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

723 Windsor Lane, Key West - Key West Writers Compound

A few weeks ago I found an utterly charming article entitled Key West Dialogue published in the NEW YORK TIMES March 18, 1984 by A.B. Beattie. CLICK HERE to read - it's worth reading. Locals and long time returning visitors to Key West will appreciate the first paragraph:

"Key West looks like a lurid postcard. The colors are very intense, and almost everywhere you look there is something scenic. I mean, you can go around Key West taking pictures in your head, because almost everything is perfect. You can't miss there. If there's a crack in the sidewalk, there's hibiscus growing in it. If you see an ugly empty lot, there's always the weird juxtaposition - a mansion directly adjoining it. There's really no harmony. If there's harmony there, it's in the air, it's not really in the way things physically relate to each other."

The aerial photo at the top of this page was taken earlier this year of my listing at 744 Windsor Lane now offered at $5,000,000. The Key West Writers Compound is located across the street. 

 That property is the perfect example of the juxtaposition A.B. Beattie noted in 1984 of mansions and fixer-uppers existing in perfect harmony. Key West is still as colorful as it was thirty-five years ago. It's just a lot more expensive. I edited the top photo to show the physical location of the Writer's Compound where 723 Windsor Lane is now offered for sale.

The Key West Writers Compound is "hidden behind the white stucco wall, is a collection of once run-down shacks and shanties, frame cottages perched upon limestone piers, later restored as the winter residences of such literary luminaries as poet Richard Wilbur [former U.S. Poet Laureate], critic John Ciardi, writer Ralph Ellison and Hiroshima author John Hersey. There are several literati compounds in Old Town,and this complex, established in 1976, with its landscaped walkways and a central pool, is one of the most charming. Wilbur won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry and is renowned for his translations of Moliere; Ciardi, a critic, also translated Dante’s Divine Comedy; Ralph Ellison wrote The Invisible Man; and John Hersey, taught at Yale for 18 years and won the Pulitzer Prize for his writing debut, A Bell for Adano." (From SeekKeyWest.com with Sharon Wells) 

The compound itself is an assemblage of other cottages that were built for the Key West working class. They were nothing extra-ordinary. The simplicity of their design and construction was perhaps the primary reason the writers chose to congregate there. Today a large fence sets the compound apart from the street. Two large gates open onto a wide bricked walkway that navigates owners to each of the homes in the compound. There is a large pool located near the east side of the property. I don't recall ever seeing anyone actually swimming there, however. I do recall admiring the great views of specimen trees and brightly colored foliage. The compound would be a treasure on its own even if the notable writers had never lived there. But they did and that sets this property apart and makes the compound very notable.

The individual cottages are scattered about the lush tropical foliage and towering palms.  723 Windsor Lane is situated on a 1604 square foot lot at the rear eastern boundary of the compound. 

723 Windsor Lane dates back to 1899 updated to the highest standards. The 917 square foot cottage includes a writer's office (or den), sun room which is used for interior dining, living room, eat-in kitchen, bedroom, and bath. There is a private deck as well as the front porch which looks out to the garden pathway.

The top of Solares Hill is just a couple of houses to the west of the compound. All houses in the compound are located in the X Zone for flood insurance purposes. Flood insurance is not required in the X Zone. Homes in the compound are classified as land based condos. Owners purchase their own home owner, flood, and wind insurance policies. HOA fees are $850 payable quarterly.

The Writers Compound is just a few short blocks walk to the Historic Key West Seaport to the north or a three block walk to Duval Street to the west. That's part of the joy of living in a great location like the Writer's Compound: you can be anywhere important within a few minutes.

If you are looking a a great place in a great location at a really great price, this property may be exactly what you are looking for. Remember, at least one owner must be at least 55 years of age to be able to buy into this compound. No children under 18 are permitted at the pool-ever. If you have little grand kids or nieces the nephews, this won't work. Otherwise, this is a place to consider.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 723 Windsor Lane, Key West offered for sale at $738,000. 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.

Two Open Houses This Sunday in Key West

If you are out and about in Key West on Sunday stop by both or either of the two Open House events I am hosting. 

619  Virginia Street is a two bedroom three full bath town home located in Old Town at the Southernmost Cabanas Resort. This two story end unit has a large wrap-around deck and private side yard plus adjacent off street parking. Offered at $889,000. Open 11:00 AM till 1:00PM.

923 Angela Street is a 2/2 fully furnished cute as can be Old Town Cottage offered at $1,175,000. There is a heated swimming pool, outdoor shower, roof top sun deck and so much more. Open 12:00 to 2:00 PM.