1117 Watson Street - Key West - Conch Grove Compound - A Singular Sensation

1117 Watson Street, Key West is located two blocks west of White Street and two blocks south of Truman Avenue in the Conch Grove Compound which consists of thirteen cottages and single family houses that share a large sunny and heated pool, gardens, and off street parking. Each cottage or house owns the property in fee simple - just like your home up north in America. But all property owners share ownership of all of the common areas. Each cottage or house is unique. Some cottages are pretty small. A couple of the houses are quite large. So the compound does not look like a Disney version of Key West. It is the real thing. Writer James Kirkwood, co-author of “A Chorus Line”, was one of the first homeowners in the Conch Grove Compound. He knew a thing or two about a singular sensation.

The listing Realtor describes 1117 Watson Street as a

"Totally renovated from top to bottom! This 1 bedroom pied-a-terre is located in the unique Conch Grove Compound in Old Town Key West. The floor plan is very open and features a vaulted ceiling. The loft square footage is a bonus (not included in the MLS square footage). The loft area is open and overlooks the living room. The 3227 square foot lot features a raised brick patio and lush garden area. This cottage has a new roof, new floors, new kitchen cabinets/countertops, new high end appliances, new washer/dryer and a custom artisan seascape bathroom. Shared off-street parking for one car. The large community pool with gazebo is surrounded by lush landscaping. Beautifully decorated and furnished. Ready for the new owner to move in."

 If you read about this house before or if you saw it when it was previously listed, you may remember that the previous owners used the front room as the bedroom. While the original entry door stayed in place on the left side of the front porch, the actual entry to the house was located on the south side of the house. A fair amount of internal floor space was used to create a stairway to a second level loft which was very cramped and that had no practical utility. It was claustrophobic!  Seriously, detective Adrian Monk would have flipped out over the cramped space.  The current owner removed the loft sleeping area and stairway. The entry was relocated back to the front porch but reversed to the south side.

The above photo shows the front entry door on the left. The single bedroom is on the right. There is a new kitchen, updated interiors, new bath, and a totally new aura to this 680 sq ft one bedroom cigar maker cottage.

Not shown in the mls nor do I have any photos that show the large backyard that belong to this unit. One of the joys of owning a place in Key West is having a large enough piece of the outdoors where you can enjoy our wonderful Key West weather.  There is a clearing between the trees that leads through the big green lawn to the pool and sunning area.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos of 1117 Watson Street.  This one bedroom one bath cigar maker's cottage is offered at $675,000.  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 Coastal Realty, Inc.  Instead of meeting with architects, builders, and decorators, spend this summer by the big sunny pool getting the tan of your life.

717 Southard Street - Sitting High on Solares Hill - Key West

The three bay revival style house at 717 Southard Street sits near the tippy top of Solares Hill, the tallest point on the Island of Key West. The house itself appears to reach to the sky - it's three stories tall and sits close to the street. You can 't but help to notice the size of this place. The house is painted crisp white. The azure shutters and red front door beckon passers-by to take notice. And those that take a closer look will see pediments above each window or door interconnected with detailed trim that give this home a look of distinction.

The listing Realtor describes this home this way:
"Elegance and Luxury is what you will experience as you enter the foyer of this magnificent Old Town Beauty. Built in 1866 and located atop of Solares Hill, this home underwent a complete renovation, introducing all the modern amenities while maintaining the historic integrity of the property. 3 bedrooms all ensuite, including a spacious master suite with third floor library and separate office. Gourmet kitchen overlooking the open floor plan of dining and living room. Luscious tropical landscaping, cozy patio and cocktail pool offer ideal outdoor space, while one off street parking spot will accommodate your vehicle."

 

The 2640 sq ft house is big - real big. The covered front porch offers a perfect place to sit and watch the constant people parade that passes by this home each day. When you pass the threshold and enter the foyer you immediately realize this is a house of some importance.  You will notice decades of old paint has been removed from the Dade County Pine walls at the entry and stairway. The walls now have a clear coat that reveals the ancient wood grain of this super strong wood that is found in our historic homes. The walls are now a perfect place for displaying art.Your eyes are drawn past the formal entry to the living room at the rear. As you move forward the kitchen and dining area come into view. The current owner is using the room adjacent to the living room as an office. It can function just as easily as a bedroom since there is a bath attached.

French doors lead from the dining area out to the side yard that provides a comfortable area for informal entertaining. The diminutive water feature is called a cocktail pool. (Ft. Zach Beach is a ten minute bike ride to the west. By the way, you can't dive there either.)

French doors open from the first floor bedroom out to an adjacent deck that overlooks the cocktail pool.  A little gate allows easy access for some late night skinny dipping.  During the daytime this is a perfect place to read or write a book.

The newly created third floor bedroom is just the place for the hopeless romantic that wants a place away from it all. It both away from it. And it's kinda romantic at the same time.

The second floor bedroom has a huge vaulted ceiling.  More exposed Dade County Pine walls offer more space for art. Note also this room along with others in this home have Plantation shutters on each window. The consistency of design elements gives the house as a whole a sense of purpose.  An ante-room is located adjacent the bedroom which leads to the stairway to the newly created third floor bedroom that is nearing completion. And of course you can't forget the ever present second floor front porch that overlooks Southard Street. The old Albury House at 730 Southard Street with its widows walk is one of the most famous houses in town. And picturesque Love Lane is located next to 717 Southard Street.

The owner of 717 Southard Street has converted the off street parking spot on Love Lane into a bricked garden space with water feature.   But a new owner could easily reclaim the space which would work just fine if he or she owned a Mini Cooper or Fiat. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

717 Southard Street is offered for sale at $1,289,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your home in Paradise.

7 Nassau Lane - Old Town - Key West

 Twelve years ago I had floor duty at a different real estate office. A couple walked in the door and said they wanted to look at small homes in Old Town. I showed them several houses on the computer and mentioned a new listing on Nassau Lane. I called the listing agent. We drove over to see it. Nassau Lane is located just off Fleming Street between Grinnell and and Frances Streets. It is a one block long lane that dead-ends perhaps 150 feet from Fleming. I parked on Fleming and we walked down the lane. As we approached the house the lady said "Gary, I love it. I want to buy it!" I said "You haven't even seen the inside". She re-iterated she wanted to buy it. We had a signed contract (both sides) in about two hours time. We became friends and see each other occasionally for dinner. A couple of years ago I was walking another couple down that same lane when the couple that bought the house came outside. She came up and gave me a big hug and told my buyers that they love their house and Nassau Lane. I made a remark about only looking at one house and she said the house and the lane are what she had dreamed of. There was no reason to look further. I have repeated this story many times because a lot of people want a small house, not a big house. They want something that is less expensive and easier to maintain than say a big house on a busy street. 

For the potential buyer who wants a pool may I suggest that you consider the cost of actually owning even a small pool and then consider the option of using an alternative such as the pool at Dante’s for those few you want to swim or layout - perchance to get a tan to make your friends up north in America green with envy. A typical pool service will cost $100 to $150 per month. Add the cost of chemicals, electricity, and propane to run the pump and heat the pool, and you have to add a couple of thousand dollars added to your budget. Alternatively, you could spend the sun-and-swim days at a place like Dante’s where you could have a few cocktails and a nice lunch each day for a lot less money (unless you drink like a fish).

The recently listed 642 sq ft house at 7 Nassau Lane may appeal to the buyer who wants a place he or she can move into now, fix-up a bit later, and end up with a place like my buyers from a dozen years ago.  The listing Realtor describes this listing this way:

"Historic 1BD/1BA conch cottage on a quiet Old Town lane. Original Dade County pine throughout. Unfinished loft offers potential for a second bedroom. Needs upgrades and TLC. Great renovation project with lots of potential!"

Just below are a series of photos that show 7 Nassau Lane. The black and white photo was taken in 1965. The others were taken earlier this year. The front photo sets the stage for the interior. You'll notice the old wood steps are a bit worn - they're not falling down but they are not perfect either. Inside the house is fairly wide. The living room has windows on three sides and is fairly bright. The kitchen is next. It is partially open to the living room and has a window of its own. The lone bedroom is at the rear. This room has a vaulted ceiling. Windows on the south and east walls illuminate this space. The listing Realtor suggests that a new owner might try to use the attic space as a potential second bedroom. I do think the house would benefit from a bucket or two of fairy dust. The kitchen and baths are good candidates for redos. The living and sleeping space might just come alive. 

The lot at 7 Nassau Lane is is 32' X 50' (1575 sq ft).  It's not long enough to allow for the installation of a private pool. There is a small bricked sitting area at the rear garden.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 7 Nassau Lane that is offered for sale at $495,000.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule your own walk down Nassau Lane possibly to find the answer to your little dream. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

812 Windsor Lane - Key West - An Old Town Home with Lots of Potential

For years and years as I would drive potential buyers through Old Town someone would see 812 Windsor Lane and ask "How much is that house"?  I would always respond "It's not for sale" to which they would reply something like "We'll I want to buy it when it is for sale." The house looked pretty a bit "tired" compared to the way it looked in 1965 when the above black and white photo above was taken.The trees and foliage overwhelmed the lot and the house had not been painted in decades. All that changed about six years ago when the house was renovated.

 Today the property is available for the very first time to the buying public at the asking price of $1,560,000.  The listing Realtor describes the property thus:

"Historic Treasure in the heart of Old Town. First time on the market! Fully renovated in 2008, this historic home has been in the same family since the 1800s. 2BD/2BA main house has a beautiful mix of original Dade County and heart pine walls and floors in the bedrooms. Updates include vaulted ceilings and a modern kitchen with granite countertops and stainless appliances. A 2BD/2BA guest house is connected via a Caribbean style covered walkway. Both homes are lined with French doors that open onto a spacious deck overlooking the tropical gardens, bricked courtyard, and private waterfall swimming pool. Fully fenced with a locking gate, the property has off street parking for 2 cars. This is Key West tropical living as it was meant to be!" 

The front porch is just for show these days. The formal entry to the main house is located just beyond the fence at the end of the driveway.  You enter into the great room in the new rear addition to the historic house.  The living area is at the back of this house while the two front rooms are used as bedrooms. Both bedrooms have large bathrooms. The north bedroom has access to the old front porch which as a view of the Key West cemetery across the street.

The newly constructed guest cottage at the rear provides two large bedrooms and baths. Access to the guest cottage is protected via covered porch connected to the main house.

The two houses have a combined living space of 1892 sq ft under air conditioning. This does not include any of the covered or non-covered deck areas. The lot 5880 sq ft lot is fairly large for the Old Town area. There is bricked off street parking for 2 cars (according to the listing Realtor). CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet.

The house has been neglected just a bit. It needs a fresh coat of paint and some minor repairs which will make it all pretty again. I think a bit of fair dust would do a heck of a lot of good myself. If I bought this home I might splurge and retile the baths and replace the dark granite counter tops with quartz or some more contemporary hard surface. The color schemes are okay but I think a new owner could pick colors that are less Caribbean and more chic. The pool, rear decks, and grounds need some new plantings to make the spaces more welcoming.  None of the things I have suggested are super expensive.  I believe they would make this property show so much better. 

This home has a successful rental history as a vacation rental.  The property is located just a few short blocks to Duval Street. The historic Key West seaport is located six blocks to the north. Most of the gyms and yoga studios are within an easy walk as well.

CLICK HERE to view more photos I took.  After you've viewed the photos and the mls datasheet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a showing of this Key West home with lots of potential.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.