1123 Washington Street - Casa Marina Area - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West (but not by me), 1123 Washington Street which is a Bahamian styled home newly constructed in 2002. The 1841 sq ft home sits on a quiet block in the tony Casa Marina Area of Key West away from the honking scooters, slow moving Conch trains, and the noisy trolleys that clog many of the streets of Old Town. I live in this quiet and laid back neighborhood of homes built as far back as the 19th Century with others during the 21st Century. There is a comfortable mix of full time residents and part time residents who own second homes here.  As a resident of the Casa Marina area instead of watching an endless parade of tourists, you are more likely to see your neighbors walking their dogs or jogging in the morning.  I love Old Town, don't get me wrong. But I chose to live in the Casa Marina area because this part of town is quieter and much less congested.  And I can be anywhere in Key West in about five minutes time.

1123 Washington Street is a two story home built in the Bahamian style. Typically a Bahamian house is a wood framed house built on posts or piers with clapboard siding. It would have had large windows, doors, and high ceilings which would provide natural ventilation to cool the home in a time before there was air conditioning. The Bahama Shutters we see throughout Key West allowed air to flow through the shutters into the home but still permit privacy on the inside of  the home. The house at 1123 Washington Street re-thinks the Bahamian influence and adapts a practical usage of the space for modern living which now includes air conditioning. This home has what appears to be a sawtooth addition on the east side of the house (again, typical of many houses that were constructed and added onto over the years in Key West). This "addition" is where the master suite is located and that just happens to be off the tropical pool. Care for a late night skinny dip?

Second Floor Balcony with French Doors & Bahama Shutters  

Master Suite located next to Pool for Late Night  Dip 

Serene, Private, Seductive

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Elegant Casa Marina 3/3 1/2 home built to resemble the Conch style homes of the 1800's. Entering the front door you are greeted by soring ceilings and french doors opening to the backyard pool and spa. There is a divided living room and cooks kitchen with a separate formal dining room. On the first floor there is a large en-suite master bedroom with a walk-in closet. On the second floor there are two large en-suite guest rooms with Terrace access overlooking the lush tropical entrance to the home. Bricked off street parking."

1123 Washington Street is listed at $1,279,000.  The house has 1751 sq ft of living space under air (not including covered porches) and sits on a large (4973 sq ft) lot. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Serious house hunters know there just aren't very many nice three bed and three bath homes with beautiful pools that are located in good locations in Key West.

This home is convenient to everything. But for the most part it is really nice and quiet. You can bike to the gym or Fausto's Grocery on White Street in about two minutes. You can get to the airport in about five minutes by car. On July the 4th you can walk a couple of blocks to the beach to attend the annual Casa Marina picnic and later watch fireworks shot off at Higg's Beach. Throughout the year you could walk to Salute on the Beach for a cheap but ever so tasty dinner while watching sunset. On other nights you could walk to Louie's Backyard or the After Deck Bar for sophisticated dining. Key West is a great place to live. 1123 Washington Street is a house you can pretty much move right into. I'm confident you will love the neighborhood!

Fausto's on White Street

Higg's Beach before the tourists and locals are alive

After Deck Bar at Louie's Backyard

If you would like to see 1123 Washington Street, or any of the other houses on the list above, or any other house in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties in Key West Florida.  Let me help you find your new home in Paradise.

2116 Fogarty Avenue - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work, but this is not my listing, 2116 Fogarty Avenue in Key West. The asking price is just $449,900. The listing agent describes this freshly renovated three bedroom, two bath home this way:

"Very nice renovation with attention to detail. No expense spared here and best of all....It's brand new! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Oak floors, spacious kitchen, extensive upstairs deck, 8x12 Storage shed in the back. A picket fence puts a final flourish on this very nice property. Hurry it won't last long."

 The 1258 sq ft home sits on a 50' x 100' (5000) sq ft lot located in the midtown area of Key West. The paint is barely dry on this new renovation. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this home. As the listing agent warns, "Hurry it won't last long".

The over supply of houses from a couple of years ago has disappeared.

If you would like to see this home or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1108 Fleming Street - Pretty As a Picture - Key West

Just listed, by not by me, 1108 Fleming Street in Old Town Key West. This place is pretty as a picture - and then more. It's the poster child for quintessential Key West charm. Now it is available for sale at $1,300,000.  The listing Realtor describes the new property thus:

"Beautiful historic conch home located in the heart of prestigious Old Town Key West.This classic three bedroom has a warm open floor plan with vaulted ceilings.The guest cottage has its own access and off street parking located on Curry Lane. The tropical pool area has plenty of room for entertaining.The pool separates the main house from the guest cottage."

 The house is bright and cheerful from front to back and bottom to top. Every room is different, but the entire place flows evenly and with purpose. The great room at the rear of the main house invites you out to the pool. The guest cottage at the rear invites you to come in and get cozy.

 1108 Fleming Street is located at the far end of Fleming Street. It's a good six or seven minute walk to Duval Street and about the same time to get to the Historic Seaport. There are two convenience stores down on White Street and a couple of nifty restaurants within two blocks.

The house is laid out with one bedroom located at the front of the house on the main floor. The kitchen and great room occupy the rear area of the main floor. There you get a view of the pool, deck, and uber-cute guest cottage at the rear.  There is off street parking in the rear on Curry Lane. A larger bedroom with sitting area is located on the second floor. The house and cottage have a total of 1604 sq ft of living space under air.

Cottage with Parking

Cottage looking toward the main house

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this beautiful Key West home that really is Pretty as a picture. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. Let me help you find your home in Paradise.

411 William Street #12 - The Island City House - Key West

 

I had not been inside the Island City House for about 25 years until this past week when I showed the Transiently Licensed Condo located at 411 William Street (#12) that is listed for sale at $389,000.  Twenty five years ago I looked at buying the whole complex. I must now sadly add this entire property to the list of properties I turned my nose up at and lived to regret not having purchased.  That list includes the Q Rooms which is now the Marquesa Hotel.  Alas, there are more examples of poor choices I made.

The Island City House is an assemblage of old Key West buildings that were joined to create a hotel that later became a prospective condominium complex.  I dug out the old shoe box and found some ancient photos that show the properties at 411 William Street, 808 Eaton Street, and interior three story building recessed deep into the lot around which are some smaller cottages and the large and sunny pool.

411 William Street as it appeared in 1913

411 William Street as it appeared in 1941

During renovation

808 Eaton Street photographed by the WPA in the 1930s

808 Eaton Street as it appeared in 1965

808 Eaton Street as it appeared in 1970 during renovation

808 Eaton Street August 2012

The properties were built around 1889 and were converted into condominiums in 2005.  Only four the units actually sold. The developer retained the other units and continues to manage the entire complex as the Island City Hotel. Unit #12 is managed this way. Income records are available by prospective buyers.

Private Deck

Unit #12 is located at the tippy top of the interior unit located at the back of the complex. It is accessed via gate at the rear of the pool and a three story private staircase.  The one bedroom unit has 443 sq ft of living space divided between the good sized bedroom, bath, and living area that has French doors that open out onto the private deck that overlooks the pool below which offers commanding views of the complex.  The place is as clean as a whistle and is totally relaxing.  It does not seem like a "hotel room" but instead like a cabin in the sky.  But since it has a valuable Key West transient license, the owner can rent this condo and make money on it all year long.See the end note in the listing Realtor's description:

"Beautiful, income producing, hotel condominium for sale in the Island City House Hotel. Transient licensed 1 bedroom and 1 bath condo in a beautiful enclave of 3 historic buildings in the heart of Old Town. This unit overlooks the pool from your own private balcony. Community pool, lush tropical landscaping with winding brick pathways, sun deck and in-house management. This is the total package for an income producing rental and/or your own pied-a-terre. The unit owner is allowed a maximum of 90 days per year personal stays in the property."

I learned that the building at 411 William Street has a clothing optional rooftop sundeck. I did not go up there, so there are no pics.  Nevertheless, it is nice to know that you can get an all around tan if you so choose.  The pool and deck at ground level are just as inviting (and probably more refreshing to your skin) since you can take a nice dip to cool off under our wonderful sun.

Frequent readers know the value of location. This place has one of the premiere locations in all of Old Town. This block of William Street boasts some of the finest older homes in Key West including the B.P. Roberts House across the street. He's the one with headstone in our cemetery that reads "I TOLD YOU I WAS SICK". The Historic Key West Seaport is a short two block walk to the north. Duval Street is three blocks to the west. And there are numerous great restaurants and specialty food shops like the Eaton Street Seafood Market in the neighborhood. Vacationers will eat up the location for its historic charm and convenience. 

 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on unit #12. The condo association does charge a monthly fee of $346 which covers Cable, Trash Removal, Building Exterior Maintenance, Building Insurance, Common Area Maintenance, and Pool Maintenance.

CLICK HERE to view more historic photos plus current photos of the complex. If you would like to see this property or any other property in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.