909 Pohalski Lane - Key West - Price Reduction

One of the sweetest 'buys' in Key West just got a lot sweeter with the price reduction on 909 Pohalski Lane in Old Town Key West to $595,000. The this two bedroom / two and one-half bath home is virtually new from the ground up.   The original front room is all that remains of the cottage which stood here until only a few months ago. In its place is an entirely new building designed by Tom Pope, one of Key West's premier historic architects.  Care was given to blend the historic facade with new and expanded living space in the new rear addition.

This home was featured in the Olde Island Restoration Foundation Christmas Home Tour in December 2012. The cottages in the immediate area were know as Pohalski Village in the old days. "In 1886, an entire village for cigar makers was developed in one corner of Old Town.  This remnant of that era has just been totally rehabilitated and expanded . . . although thoroughly modern, this cottage honors its historic origins in choice of materials and style."

Today Pohalski Lane is a one-way street accessed off Truman Avenue that runs exactly one block long where it ends at Olivia Street. Locals and frequent dance and yoga enthusiasts know that Coffee Mill Dance and Yoga is located across the lane and up a bit. The lane is narrow which prevents Conch trains and trolley cars from making the Pohalski Village into a tourist attraction: hooray for small lanes! Some of the houses on the lane, like this one, do have off street parking. Click the Video below for a 60 second tour of the property. 

The original cigar makers cottage was  built circa 1889. The renovation was completed in early December 2012 and the original cottage was expanded to 1268 sq ft. The historic exterior wall and facade were preserved in front. Otherwise, the house is entirely brand-new construction including all new foundation,  Hardiboard siding, V-crimp metal roof, vaulted ceilings, Dade County Pine feature wall, Castilian Oak hardwood floor system, and custom made hurricane rated impact French doors and windows.

The new house has two bedrooms and two and one-half baths. The property was designed and built with the flexibility to be used either as a single family home or as a legal duplex.   The new living area at the rear consists of the large living room with generous garden views.  There is a half bath nestled under the stairway to the second floor bedroom. Adjacent to the bath is the laundry area tucked away under the stairs.  The kitchen also has a vaulted ceiling which many will find not only dramatic in design but also captivating in its execution.  The kitchen features Martha Steward Luxury cabinetry, Bosch and Samsung stainless steel appliances (including a professional stainless steel gas range, a rarity in Key West), granite counter tops, subway tiles, and Grohe and Kohler fixtures.   The house also has energy-efficient Mitsubishi “split” A/C systems and ceiling fans in every room. CLICK HERE to view more photos.

I was able watch the construction progress on this property from the beginning. Once the second floor bedroom was framed and the window openings were cut, I remarked the place was like a tree house. And what a luxurious tree house it is. You will find vaulted ceilings here as well.  Windows open out to the east and south where you will see roof tops of quaint little Pohalski Village cottages and palm trees. There is even a bitter orange tree with fruit growing within arm's length (if you have arms the length of and NBA player that is). You won't find rooms with this much space and this much 'altitude' in many Key West homes. Just off the bedroom is an en-suite bath. You just gotta see this bathroom. It will make you want to at least shower here and maybe entice you to buy this place.

Palm trees of various types and some fruit trees, like the bitter orange above, are located nearby and give the master bedroom the feeling of being in a tree house.

The interiors were designed by Ben Teague who with his partner, Jeff Leap, have appeared on HGTV's House Hunters episode filmed in Key West. The interiors are subtle and sophisticated.

 The second bedroom is shown below. It is located at the front of the original cottage which has been substantially rebuilt from foundation to the new roof. A Dade County Pine feature wall was added. The bathroom is located to the right in the photo below.

The front bedroom was designed to be used as a studio apartment at the option of a new owner. Electric service, water supply, and waste lines were added adjacent to the closet whereby a new owner could easily install a drop-in mini kitchen with a cook top, refrigerator, and sink. See photo below. The cost of the unit is about $1,300 which is available at AJ Madison.

Prior to construction the owner/developer asked my opinion about what might appeal to a wide audience of buyers. I told him an often stated wish of so many would-be buyers: a place which could legally rented for income to help pay some of the costs of ownership and personally use on occasion.  909 Pohalski Lane is licensed by the City of Key West for use as a duplex if a new owner decides to use it as such. The back unit is a stunning single family home by itself. There is a lockout door between the rear and front unit which, if opened, allows the front bedroom and bathroom to become a second bedroom for the whole house. Alternatively, the front unit can be rented as a studio apartment which would likely rent at $1200 per month. I estimate the back unit could rent for $2000 per month. Both front and rear units have separate electric and other utility hookups.  

Go to  909Pohalski.com for photos, site plan, floor plan, and general information.  Note there is city approved off street parking large enough to accommodate a small car. Additionally, the developer added electric and water supplies at the rear for a new owner to add a hot tub or spa. Please CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet for additional information. This property is offered at $595,000.

Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this great new home. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  This really could be your home by Christmas this year if you act quickly enough. 

Missing - One Legged Shoeless Drag Queen - Key West

Loyal readers know that I live in the Casa Marina Area of Key West which is normally a really quiet place to live in just about the best place in the world on most days. I live on a big corner lot and have lots of tropical foliage that insulates my house from the two intersecting streets. A big privacy fence actually keeps the outsiders out but the bushes soften the affect.  I have one of the tallest date palms on the island and several very tall palms that give my yard quite the island feel.

On Wednesday morning I went to the gym (Island Gym on Whitehead Street) at 6:00 AM and did an hour's worth of easy exercises.  It was my rest day. When I got home a few minutes after 7:00 I decided to do some work in the yard rather than get ready to go to my office. So I changed into some grubby shorts and took a rake to attack the scrub under the foliage out on the right of way.

As I worked my way to the corner I noticed the glare of fuchsia and sparkles. The color and radiance merged into an image of a substantial high heel shoe with glitter galore. Then I noticed a small multi colored clutch or purse.  I chuckled with delight. I pulled the shoe and purse out from under the bush. I searched for a second shoe but found none.  I decided to grab a camera to record my find for posterity.

A neighbor walked by (actually, I think he came out of his house after he heard me laughing so loudly).  I showed him my bounty.  I laughed and told him that I had found the shoe and purse of a one legged drag queen and then said it's stuff like this that makes life in Key West so damned interesting.

I think it was around Christmas in 1998 when I was baby sitting another neighbor's tiny Yorkshire Terrier.  Munchie  was yapping at something on the outside of my yard. It was early morning. I went out and looked behind the bushes and found a man hiding in the bushes. He had apparently spent the night there. I asked him to come out and move along. He obliged and said some that he was sorry. I could tell from the tone he truly was apologetic.  A couple of hours later I had to leave the house.  When I opened my gate I found a very large hand made pottery bowl filled with coins - lots and lots and lots of them. This was no little collection of pennies. Most of the coins were silver with some pennys and nickles thrown in..  I called the police and asked if anyone had reported a missing bowl of money. The cop said no. I asked what should I do with it. He said "Keep it".  I then decided that the man in the bushes had given me the bowl as some token of appreciation or maybe to seek forgiveness for the use of my bushes.  The gesture made me feel like an ogre.  Some Christian I was - at Christmas. 

If you see a one legged shoeless drag queen hobbling down a street in Key West please feel free to tell her to contact me. I still have her shoe and all of the make-up in her purse. I kept the bowl and still have it.

703 Elizabeth Street - A Quintessential Key West Cottage

Just listed, but not by me, a quintessential cottage in the heart of Old Town Key West. The three bedroom home is located at 703 Elizabeth Street is located just steps away from the highest point on the island. So many potential buyers are fearful of being flooded. If water ever reaches this location, all humanity will be gone.  The listing Realtor lures potential buyers with his description of the property:

"Quintessential Key West cottage located at the top of Solares Hill. Open floor plan, high ceilings, bright rooms, Dade County Pine floors. Historic charm abounds. Two bedrooms downstairs and large master bedroom on second floor. Exterior siding has been meticulously maintained revealing the beautiful antique board and batten siding that graces this historic jewel. Spacious indoor/outdoor living room. Off-street parking and tropical yard with heated pool, lush landscaping and great privacy. Outdoor living room area merges with indoor space through folding doors that celebrate the Key West lifestyle. Centrally located near world famous Duval Street, yet on a quiet one-way street with little traffic. A Gorgeous Solares Hill Beauty."

I got to take photos of the property late Tuesday afternoon. I must tell you that I am surprised it is not under contract even though it has only been in the mls three days as of today (Wednesday).  This place has the location, features, and charm would-be second home buyers want these days. CLICK HERE to view the photos I took.

You enter the house via gated entrance located at the end of the driveway.  French doors open into the large open living area that just bounds with charm. Another set of French doors on the right wall open out to the rear yard and pool area. The kitchen is located to the left rear and just beyond that is a stairway to the second floor. The two downstairs bedrooms are located at the front of the house on the main floor.

 The two main floor bedrooms are of average size for an Old Town house.  There is adequate room for a queen size bed in each room plus dresser and some decorative items to make the rooms scream "Key West!".  The third floor bedroom runs the entire breadth of the main part of the house. The listing agent offered that a new owner might try to obtain permission from HARC to add one or two dormers t to the rear side of the roof where one might create a second bathroom. I have seen this done on other properties.  I think it could work.

The side yards on either side of the house have brick pavers on the walkways. The photo above is on the south side where the landscaping is illuminated at night.

I think this property would make a wonderful vacation rental for an owner who wants to do an occasional rental to help reduce some of the costs of home ownership in Key West.

703 Elizabeth Street has 1404 sq ft of living space and sits on a 2650 sq ft lot in a great Old Town location.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos.  But better than that, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this house. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Hurry, though,  I really think this place will go under contract very quickly!

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1109 Virginia Street - Key West House For Sale

1109 Virginia Street is located in the Old Town area of Key West. This two bedroom/one bath home has a vaulted ceiling in the combined living room and kitchen areas. French doors open out to the rear deck and pool. The place is cozy and comfy and is priced to sell at just $435,000.  CLICK HERE view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet on this property.

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Charming conch home located in great neighborhood. One block from White Street, shopping and restaurants. Two bedroom / one bath home with nice front porch. Deep lot. Small pool."

The house is laid out different than the photo above would suggest. The main entry is located on the west side of the house mid-way between the main bedroom which is at the front of the house. The living area is at the rear. This layout is typical of many older homes that have had room re-assignments that place sleeping areas up front and save the money view rooms a the rear.

Front Bedroom

Second Bedroom

The house has 720 sq ft of living space that sits on a 28' x 103' lot with mature trees at the rear. The main bedroom is quite large while the second bedroom is not so large. There is a second level loft which is not included in the square footage. The living space is quit comfortable as it now exists. The listing agent suggested that a new owner might be able to add a guest cottage at the very rear of the property. The foundation of an old out building remain in place just in a case a new owner might want to obtain permission to build a new structure.

Foundation of former out building

One of the nice features of this house is the large sunny deck and inviting pool. I think the house looks and functions great the way it currently sits. A new owner could always do some tweaking to make the place extra special, but the house really does not need any major work done to it.

I did a quick mls search just to see how many other houses there are in the Old Town area priced at $435,000 or less that have a pool. The answer was none.  I had to expand my search to $499,000 before I found a house with a pool.


If you are  a fitness freak or yoga fan, this is the area for you.  There are several gyms and yoga studios within a couple of blocks walk.  The Atlantic Ocean is a few blocks to the south.  All of the hoopla of Duval Street is within a 7 to 10 minute walk.

CLICK HERE to view the other photos I took of this property.  If you would like to see 1109 Virginia Street or any other property in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. Let me help you find your place is Paradise.