811-814 Carey Lane - Old Town Key West

 On several occasions I have written the solace of  living on the slow lanes in Key West. Carey Lane has got to be one of the "slowest" of any. That is for sure. Carey Lane is a real "dead end" lane as the photos above show. It is located at the junction of Margaret Street and Angela Street. The Key West Cemetery is on the opposite side of that "junction where Angela Street suddenly becomes  becomes Carey Lane. Margaret Street bends to the right and suddenly becomes Passover Lane. It's Key West's gift to confusing tourists.

The current owner of 811 and 814 Carey Lane acquired each property separately and began the process of creating a large home with separate guest cottage.  The are located at the far end of Carey Lane which maybe runs a total of 250 feet, if that. Some of the sweetest little houses in all of Key West are located on Carey Lane. Carey Lane, Dear Reader, truly is one of the sweetest of the sweet little lanes that make our little island community so alluring. Each little house that faces or backs onto this lane is an absolute charmer in its own right.

 

 The listing broker more fully describes 811-814 Carey Lane thus:

"Quiet serenity awaits you at this secluded tropical oasis in the heart of Old Town Key West. Tucked away at the end of one of the most beautiful lanes in Old Town, this large estate with multiple buildings is the ultimate in tropical living. Beautifully renovated 2/2 historic guest house built in 1943 evokes Key West charm with modern conveniences. New kitchen and baths, central air and private outdoor spaces. Spacious one-level 3/3 main house built in 1970 waiting for your personal touches with great floor plan, high ceilings, detached bedroom/office, enclosed porch overlooking a large pool with lushly landscaped 9179 square foot lot. Off street parking, peaceful and quiet location. A Tropical Jewel For Serene Island Living."

I have written abut the guest cottage several times before it became a part of this larger property. At one time I wrote "it really is one of my very favorite homes in Old Town. There is something so quaint, so cool, so unassuming, and so welcoming that just about anyone will feel at home. The house is nested under some very large trees that give it a protected feeling. It is located on a quiet lane removed from the hubbub of Key West and yet it near everything."  I have shown this property a couple of times since it was recently listed. I fell in love again with this quaint space. Below are some sample photos that show how inviting a small space can be.

The problem with having such a comfortable guest house is that your guests will stay and stay and stay forever.  And who could blame them? Now if you bought the combined properties and either decided to separate them into two separate parcels or if you decided to add to a pool to the guest house lot, I think there is abundant room for a pool. Here's another thought. If you added a fence with friendly gate between the two properties, your guests would have a sense of privacy that is currently missing. However, if you decided to rent the guest cottage either as a long term rental or a vacation rental apart (separate) from the main house, I think you could keep this comfy cottage rented year around.  Especially if you add a pool.

Ample gated off street parking is another reason to consider this property.

The main house has really comfortable indoor and outside living spaces. For the most part the indoor spaces offer picturesque window views of the gardens or the pool.  The indoors and outdoors merge into unique Key Westy environments when the mix is done right. It is done right here.

The screen enclosed outdoor living-dining area is located on the opposite side of the living room (below photo). That area is probably where most owners would spend the preponderant time enjoying this home. The space provides views of the lush tropical garden and alluring pool. This area almost has the feel of a cabin - except that it is in Key West and the views are of palm trees not pine trees. Maybe its just that this space reminds me of the coziness cabins offer.

811 - 814 Carey Lane has combined interior living spaces of 2639 sq ft that sit upon a 9179 sq ft site hidden away from the rest of the world. There are a total of five bedrooms, five baths, and numerous living and dining spaces.  This property has been reduced to just $1,995,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view more listing photos of the property.  You might also CLICK HERE to view other photos.

If you would like to see this truly appealing property located at the end of the slowest lanes in Key West, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

606 Truman No. 9 - Transient Licensed - Key West

606 Truman Avenue #9 in Key West is the kind of property many potential second home buyers want to buy. This is the only stand alone unit in Windward Park where the other units all share a party wall. And this unit is located at the rear of the development so the owner will have total seclusion when sitting on the porch or relaxing in the private garden space.  This 1210 sq ft two bedroom/two bath home is as clean as a whistle. It is offered completely furnished,  and, this is the best part,  it has a full City of Key West Transient Rental License which means you can rent it any day of the year for as many days as you want.  This property is located one block east of  Duval Street and is within easy walking distance to all of your favorite haunts. The pool is sunny, and since there are only 13 units, you won't have to stand in line to get a lounge chair. If you buy this home now, you will have a home in Key West by the next Christmas.  

The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Transient Licensed. This beautiful freestanding Bahamian style eyebrow home is tucked away in a tropically landscaped compound for the utmost privacy. A large inviting front porch and decked yard are perfect for outdoor entertaining. The current owners have completely renovated this immaculate home with all new kitchen and baths. The main level features an open living and dining area, a spacious kitchen with breakfast bar and a full bath. Upstairs are two large bedrooms with lots of closet space and a hall bath. This is a vacation rental property and is being sold beautifully furnished. Windward Park is an Old Town compound of 13 homes sharing a large outdoor area and heated pool each with assigned off-street parking."

 

The entire first floor provides lots of space for relaxation or entertaining. Everything about this space is open and inviting. As soon as I entered this home I knew I would like it. I could smell the clean - not a disinfectant kind of clean but instead the freshness one knows when entering a home that has been spotlessly maintained.  I don't think I have even been inside a rental anywhere that was as fresh and inviting as this.  If you look at the third photo above you will see two closets located adjacent to the refrigerator. One is a "lock out" for owner storage. There are several similar owner lock outs throughout the house.  These lock outs provide subtle protection for owner  necessities such as toothbrushes, suntan lotion, shorts, Grey Goose, etc.

If you have ever stayed in a dinky two bedroom condo you ought to appreciate the size and spatial layout of this room home which has two large bedrooms.

This home sits at the far rear of the compound. It is the only free standing single family home in the compound whereas the other homes are attached duplexes.  Unlike most of the other units which have a side or rear deck for outdoor space, this home sits on a spacious and shaded lot which includes a nice private deck area and a little fountain.  Some of the other homes in this compound have a transient rental license, but not all. Owning a transient rental license is a very valuable extra even if you decide not to rent the unit.  But if you choose to rent, you ought to keep this lovely home rented as often as you want. It has everything a home owner (or renter) could ask for.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

606 Truman #9 is offered at $829,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet.  Don't expect this beauty to be on the market very long.  There were other agents at the house when I took photos to share with my Dear Readers.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing so that come December 24th you will be nestled all snug in your bed at 606 Truman Avenue in Key West where you will spend Christmas in Key West.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

Key West Hotels Closed for Renovation

A couple of days ago I showed a home at the Key West Golf Club. As we crossed over Cow Key Channel and approached the Island of Key West, I was surprised as I drove forward only to see piles of building rubble.  Several of the1960s and 1970s era hotels built at the triangle where US 1 and Roosevelt Boulevard meet were in various stages of demolition or renovation.  As my car headed westerly toward Old Town I saw more hotels were closed, some with the front facades ripped off.  Then I recalled that an investor group had purchased these hotels several months ago and announced plans for a major renovation of the properties. 

I found one article that discussed the renovation project which you can read if you CLICK HERE. The short version is that a Charleston investor group purchased the Days Inn, Quality Inn, Lexington Hotel, and Quality Inn.  According to the article, the combined hotels had 534 guest rooms and 155 employees.  Plans called for extensive renovation and put a price tag of $30 million to complete the project.

Yesterday afternoon I went back to the area to take some photos for this blog. The Days Inn remains standing, but the room facades are all gone. Some last remnants of the Holiday Inn still stood on Tuesday, but the giant wrecker was well on its way to total destruction of that property as well. The Lexington Hotel still stands, but it is an ugly reminder to the architecture of the 1960s when boxy "architecture" ruled. Two more big hotels are being gutted for similar renovation.  CLICK HERE too see all of the photos. 

As we drove toward Old Town I told my buyers that on August 28th I blogged about the sale of the Southernmost Hotel Group for $184 million and that in May the Pier House Resort and Spa were sold for $90 million. CLICK HERE.

I went back to the hotel-motel project to take photos mid afternoon on Tuesday. We don't see a lot of construction like this on our little island. When I returned home I began searching for old photos of the same area. They show the development of the general vicinity over the decades starting during the Great Depression followed by World War II aerial photos. The final photo was taken in 1970s.  It shows the original Holiday Inn where the current Beachside Resort is now situated.  The salt ponds had been filled in. Two of the four hotels had been built when the color photo was taken.

The two above photos show North Roosevelt Boulevard as it curves westerly toward Old Town. These photos were taken in the 1930s by members of the WPA (Works Progress Administration). The motels and hotels would later be built to the rear and just to the left of this area. 

The above aerial photo shows US 1 as it crosses over Cow Key Channel and curves to the right as it leads toward Old Town. The triangular parcel to the right was later filled and expanded. The original Holiday Inn was built on this site and later demolished to make way for the Beachside Condominiums. The area to the near south became the Naval hospital.  The Casa Roma is located to the far south. That area was later more fully developed into single family homes, condominiums, and time shares.  

1941

Roosevelt Boulevard is seen at the junction with US 1. The curve to the right is now known as North Roosevelt Boulevard and South Roosevelt Boulevard heads the opposite direction. The adjacent salt ponds to the west were filled and became the base on which the hotels and motels were built. 

1945

1960

After I finished taking the photos I returned to my car which I had parked at the Marriott Beachside Resort. I think the Beachside Resort is very attractive. The grounds are always meticulously maintained.  Little berms covered with neatly trimmed grass, tall palms, and tropical foliage make the resort landscaping a standout.  As I neared my car I wondered whether the renovations across Roosevelt Boulevard would include similar lush landscaping and whether the hotels would look any more interesting than they did before the renovation. These hotels mark the entrance to our little town. I hope that the developer does more than update the rooms and clean up the facades.