3513 Sunrise Drive, Key West

I know that when most prospective buyers start to think about buying a second home or maybe a primary home in Key West, they first think about finding a place in Old Town or maybe the swank Casa Marina Area. That's usually because they have never ventured out to see other parts of town and did not know the kinds of properties available. Today's featured property is located on the same street where Jimmy Buffet used to live. Click GOOGLE MAP for an aerial perspective of this newly listed home located at 3513 Sunrise Drive, Key West. Use the Google toggle switch to take a street walk of the area.

If you took the street walk you will already know this home is located on a large corner lot. The lot measures 69' X 137.5' (9487 sq ft) which is enclosed a impressive fencing to ensure total privacy. A stunning tropical garden lays on the opposite side of the fence and wraps three sides of the home. the fourth side is the play area - the poo. The entrance on Sunrise Drive (above) has saltillo tile which continues from the exterior to the interior.

This three bedroom three bath home measures 2329 sq ft of interior living space. This does not include the covered outdoor loggia. The main floor living space is open concept for easy living, but don't let that fool you into thinking the owner cut corners to save on dollars. Nope, everything you done with attention to details. The panache is evident everywhere in this house. Among the features are the recently installed new kitchen. There is a main floor guest bedroom which is used by this owner as an office. Three sets of sliders make the transition from interior to exterior ever so convenient.

Outdoor Kitchen

The loggia and pool area were also updated. Your family and friends will be so impressed with your abode, they might want to come to visit and decide to stay on for an extended visit. To that end, this home has the ideal solution. The main level guest suite is located within the main house but can only be accessed via a side entrance. That gives the guests privacy and the owner the same privacy.

The master suite takes up the entire second floor of this home. You'll notice dark rich wood floors add warmth to this soothing space. There is plenty of storage space and an extra large en-suite bath. But it has to be the covered rear deck that overlooks the pool below that makes this place so special. Imagine waking up in the morning sitting on the deck drinking your coffee and pitying your friends up north in America - those poor souls who have to commute to work on freeways or who have to take trains or subways to their jobs in the freezing cold of winter or the heat of summer.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 3513 Sunrise Drive which is offered at $1,695,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this beautiful home which offers superior living space in a quite Key West location. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

The Sarah Addison House - 916 Center Street, Key West

I have written about the wondrous creations of Key West folk artist Ronny Bailey on several occasions over the past few years. His work is so simple and pure that others think they can do the same thing. According to Ronny, several former builders such as himself have told Ronny they tried to create similar properties only to give up in utter frustration over how long and tedious the task.

Ronny is a Conch born and bred in Key West. He was a builder by trade until he hung up his tool belt a few years back. He started to fiddle with some old Dade County Pine and created his first piece. When his wife saw what he had created, she exclaimed "I didn't know you could do that!" He replied "Neither did I."  And so began his new career as an artist as older man - a man who pays homage to his native hometown re-creating miniature visions of the small homes and businesses that make Key West such a treasured place. The Sarah Addison house at 916 Center Street is one of his latest creations.

Ronny Bailey told me he reclaimed Dade County Pine from the restoration currently underway at the former Pilot Houses guest house at 414 Simonton Street. (That property will appear in an upcoming blog.) Ronny cut and stripped the pine into a variety of shapes and sizes which he then used to replicate Sarah's house and all the pieces that make this little place a piece of art. Even the the roof is reclaimed Dade County Pine refashioned into a different form.

Ronny shared a written history of the home researched and retold by Sharon Wells. 916 Center Street was the home of Sarah Addison. Monroe County records show that the lot at 916 Center Street was purchased on July 13, 1874 by Sarah Addison a Florida born black woman "with roots in the Bahamas". She paid $175 for the lot. The 1884 "birds eye view" map of Key West shows a 1 1/2 story house located near Division Street (previously known as Rocky Road and now known as Truman Avenue.) The 1885 tax assessment valued the improved lot at $300. On March 18, 1889 Sarah married Joseph Pain (Payne).  The 1887 Bensel Directory noted Jospeh Payne to be a butcher and  "c" for colored. Payne resided in this house until his death in 1912 at age 51. According to Sharon Wells, Sarah Addison Payne lived at 916 Center Street until her death in 1923. Sarah had six children, worked as a cook, and never remarried.   

Sarah, the black cat, the cocky rooster, the rocker, the tea kettle and the coal stove upon which it sits, the ice box and even the kitchen sink were carved or fashioned out of Dade County Pine. You will quickly note that instead of being all bright and looking freshly painted, this house and the personal property and animals show the wear of time and grime.

Ronny removed the back panel so that I could photograph the interior. Ronny took the time to make the inside as perfect as he did the outside. Note the ripped down version of the Dade County Pine interior walls and the simple interior trim.You can click any photo to make it larger. If you click the photo of the icebox, coal stove, and sink you'll see the words PEACE, LOVE, and JOY on shelve over the sink. These are the watchwords of Ronny Bailey's life. You'll find these words on some part of each piece he creates.

I found a photo of 916 Center Street taken in 1965 which was about 70 years after the house was built. I took a photo of the place this morning. Today the house is but a part of a vacation rental conglomerate that services this part of Old Town. Alas, Rocky Road and the stuff of yore is no more. But thanks to Ronny Bailey the little houses and businesses of our past can live long into our futures.

If your are thinking about buying a home or business 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.

1435 South Roosevelt Blvd. #1001 - Key West

JUST LISTED 1435 South Roosevelt Boulevard #1001 in Key West, Florida is 2192 sq ft stand alone private residence in the Coconut Mallory Compound. Loyal readers may not recognize the address, but I am sure you know the location on the eastern shores of our lovely island home.

I added an arrow to show the location of 1435 South Roosevelt #1001. This photo was taken in the 1990s. Since then the Navy Hospital has been totally rebuilt and many of the buildings visible then are now gone. However, the historic three story Casa Roma Tower is still visible from the street and  also from one of the bedrooms in this home. Not shown in this older photo is the new dock and boat slips appurtenant to the Coconut Mallory Compound. More about that later.

The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"At the Gateway to Key West surprise yourself beyond all your expectations with this one of a kind residence. All on one level, walled for privacy in the Coconut Mallory Condo compound. The house opens onto an outside logia for year round relaxing and entertaining with a large private pool. Large living/dining and kitchen with top of the line appliances, icemaker and wine cooler. There are 3 en-suite oversized bedrooms and bathrooms with ample closets. In addition there is a small office off the kitchen with built-ins that could be converted to a 4th bedroom. 2 Car garage and parking courtyard. 30 ft. boat slip available separate from purchase for$150,000. Monthly fee is $1170 includes exterior insurances, water, electric and basic cable. Hurricane doors and windows."

Master Suite

Office

Guest Bedroom - This room has park-like views of the new Navy Hospital and Grounds

Separate Guest Suite

Entrance to the totally separate guest suite is off the far end of the large and sunny pool. The suite includes a mini-kitchen and seating area. The suite is as styled and detailed as the rest of the house.  Not shown is the private garage with a separate entrance off South Roosevelt Blvd.

The buyer of this home can also purchase a private 30 foot boat slip at the Coconut Mallory Resort for an additional $150,000.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on this property which is offered at $1,450,000. After you have looked at the photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a private showing of this property. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1901 South Roosevelt #107 West, Key West - Price Redution at La Brisa Condominium

The asking price on La Brisa Condominium Unit 107 West was just reduced from $650,000 to $593,500. That's certainly something for potential buyers to celebrate as  La Brisa is located directly across from Smather's Beach in Key West.

The listing Realtor describes this 1099 sq ft unit this way:

"Live each day as if you are on vacation! Looking for a peaceful and calm beach home? A few steps from the azure waters of the Atlantic, directly across from white sandy beaches, you will find this renovated two bedroom/two bath condo. Offering spa amenities; salt water pool and spa, tennis court, his and her saunas, and private club house. Featuring stainless appliances, granite countertops, beautiful bamboo flooring, spacious master with ensuite bath, full laundry and tranquil lanai. Covered parking and storage. Offered turn-key for your staycation or prime rental investment."

La Brisa was built in phases in the 1990s. This building was completed in1996. This unit is offered by the original owner. It has been recently updated and looks clean as a whistle. The furnishings are negotiable. The monthly condo fees are $589 and include cable television, trash removal, building maintenance and insurances, professional association management, security, pool and grounds maintenance. Each unit has an under building parking spot plus storage. There is a large pool and tennis courts. There are some ocean and salt pond views plus views of the pool and tennis courts.

 One last photo to remind you why people come to Key West. Our beaches aren't perfect, but they are pretty close. And they are very close if you happen to live across the street from Smather's Beach in Key West.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

 CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. After you have looked online, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to take a look in person. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.