514 Elizabeth Street, Key West - Back on the Market

I have written about this historic Old Town home a few times over the ten years not because it was for sale but to share with my experience in selling this particular house because it was the first house I  sold. 514 Elizabeth Street has been owned by the same people these many years. As I recall there were three factors that influenced their decision to buy this place. First, the house really is historic - it is one of the very oldest homes in Key West. Second, it has a great location equal distance to Duval Street and the Historic Seaport. Third, it had off street parking and a deep back yard with room for a pool. The owners built a pool and created a lovely rear deck and garden.  The perfect location and the charming home remain.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe famously said, "Less is more."  The simplicity of design and original construction make this home a stand out among the many homes in Old Town that have been over-renovated. My research shows the house was built around1855. The photo directly below shows the house in 1965. Below that is a photo I took about eleven years ago. The bottom photo was taken from the second floor of 517 Elizabeth Street in 2013. The current owner told me  that 514 Elizabeth is "is typical of the conch or Bahamian house built in the Bahamas from the 1780s and in Key West prior to the Civil War. The original architectural moldings that survive are typical of the 1835-1860 period."

Mies van der Rohe would love the simple facade. The front porch is meant for sitting. If you open the front door at the right time you may get a view of the pool as is shown in the photo second from the top.  Otherwise, the front door opens into a wide hallway with the formal parlor on the right and the ground floor bedroom on the left. There is a main floor bath at the left rear. The stairway to the second floor bedrooms is located on the right. The original Dade County Pine walls and floors are still intact throughout the house. The only noticeable thing I saw that has changed is the front scuttle no long is visible inside the second floor bedrooms. The house now has central air conditioning and that vitiated the need to use the scuttle for ventilation.

You probably can't tell it from the photos but the wood walls also help us date the house. The wood planks are much wider than typical houses from the 1890s and later. That means the Dade County Pine walls were "old growth lumber" which means earlier construction. The floors and walls have settled a bit with age. Purists who want a genuine old house will appreciate this. People who want something is all perfect will not. I remember staying at the Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds many years ago. We stayed in the room that Oliver Cromwell stayed in the night before the Battle of Hastings in 1620. The room tilted a bit. The hotel had a fancy new addition. I preferred historic room with the tilt. And that is why I find this house so utterly charming.

One of the joys of living in Key West is the ability to open the doors in the winter and allow the sunshine and fresh air inside the house. And at night you can leave the doors open and walk back and forth enjoying winter in the tropical environment that is Key West. In this home the inside and outside become one large living space in the daytime and nighttime.

During the daytime the pool is the perfect place to get that Key West tan that will make your friends from the frozen north green with envy.  The decks are perfect entertaining spots at night as well. French doors open from the kitchen and the family room area out to the deck.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 514 Elizabeth Street which is a Pre-Civil War home in Key West offered by Preferred Properties at $1,350,000. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. This is a great location and a precious home in our community.

713 Eaton Street, Key West - Former Home of Angelo Donghia Now For Sale

713 Eaton Street, Key West as it appeared in 1965

Shortly after arriving in Key West on my very first visit in March 1984 I walked up and down every street in Old Town marveling at what then were mostly funky old houses some of which looked like they were ready to fall over. I started to imagine what I might do to a house if only I owned one. I took pictures of several of the better homes that had already been renovated and just recently went through boxes of photos trying to find the picture I took of 713 Eaton Street, the subject of today's blog. I cannot find that one, and I am upset because it shows the house when it was still pristine. I took the photo below of the home yesterday. The trees in the front shade the front porch of this classical Key West property.

The listing Realtor describes 713 Eaton Street this way:

This iconic Key West home was once owned by Angelo Donghia and his classic sense of style is reflected in this special home. Located just two blocks from Duval, on the corner of Peacon Lane, this property, with its white picket fence and wide front porch represents the Key West ideal. Inside one will love the high ceilings and the tall windows that drench the rooms with natural light. There are three bedrooms and two baths including a master bedroom en suite. The kitchen opens to the living room through a wide breakfast bar. The kitchen door leads to the off street parking and side yard. Both guest rooms have french doors leading to the pool deck. An outdoor covered living/dining room is adjacent to the pool. This home has been photographed many times for various books and magazines.

The house is a simple one story six room Conch house which was owned and renovated by Angelo Donghia,  I did not see the house before it was renovated, but I have seen so many old homes that I am pretty sure the original house was constructed the same as others which would have included beaver board like panels applied over the original Dade County Pine walls. This material looks similar to a dense cardboard which could be painted. Beaverboard is flexible and can move a bit during a wind storm without cracking like plaster. I believe that Donghia removed the beaverboard to expose the Dade Count Pine walls and ceiling and added a clear coat of polyurethane which gives the current day walls and ceiling a grayish patina. The wood floors have the look of a well worn shoe - comfortable. The last thing one should do is refinish the floors: they are wonderful. They are like the walls, a canvas upon which to create art. In this instance, add a great rug.  

Upon his death in 1985 The New York Times referred to Angelo Donghia as one of America's most influential designers and distinguished two of his personal homes writing "a much-publicized Manhattan town house and a turn-of-the century Victorian house in Key West, Fla. The town house espoused a sophisticated, formal look; the Key West house had a more casual point of view that highlighted renovation and preservation." That home sits today the same way as when he sold it in 1980. It has not been touched. Buyers seeking an historic home may want to consider this property.

The front door opens into the living room and dining area on the right side. This is a big impressive space. Extra large crown molding and baseboards frame this space. The custom milled white trim sets off the windows and door.

This home which first appeared in the 1889 Sanborn Fire Map. At that time a small grocery store was partially located in the right front yard and extended out into where the sidewalk is today. That appendage appeared in each successive map until 1912.

When you enter the kitchen the same wood is employed. But the room is decidedly different. The room is even thous visible from inside the more "formal" living room is less formal by purpose and also by design. There is no crown molding or baseboard. The pine cabinets are the same pine on the walls which are aligned of the same plain. The kitchen shelves dial down the sophistication one more notch. Simplicity of design reflects the intended use of this space - food preparation.  The kitchen door opens out to Peacon Lane, formerly known as Gruntbone Alley where there is a bricked off street parking spot. 

The master bedroom is located at the right front of the house. While I did not see the house as it was being renovated, I am certain Donghia re-built the front wall that now includes closets on either side of a built-in bench  

There are two bedrooms at the rear. One is currently used as a den. Both have closets. And both have French doors which open out to the pool.

There is an outdoor shower on the west or right side of the house. All bedrooms have access to it as do people using the pool.

One of the real estate agents in my office told me he used to go to parties in the Donghia house back in the day while Donghia still lived there. He talked about the famous (and infamous) people from New York and Key West who attended the parties. He said the house was different then - furnished with designer furniture and art and famous people. The house itself has not changed. In fact, the passage of forty years have given that Donghia design a patina that only comes from age. If you are a fan of Antiques Road Show like I am, you know not to do something stupid by trying to clean or brush away patina. 

Eaton Street at Peacon Lane,  1937

Peacon Lane current

 

I can see why out of all the old houses for sale forty some years ago Donghia bought 712 Eaton (across the street) and also 713 Eaton Street. He renovated 712 Eaton and sold it to Calvin Klein. He kept 713 Eaton for himself. The simple facade of 713 is the opposite of the octagon house which is way fussy. It's better to look at fussy than to be fussy. People talk about fussy people. They admire the beautiful and unpretentious. That's what 713 Eaton Street is.  And it will stay that way as long as nobody messes with it.

713 Eaton Street is offered for sale by Preferred Properties Key West for $1,500,000. Please CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet. Then call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a personal showing. Days and times are limited. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

3 Casa Roma Lane, Key West - A Genuine One-of-a-Kind Home

Longtime readers of my blog know I love where I live, Key West. This is such a beautiful little town out in the middle of the ocean. I also love the post cards and old photos that show what Key West looked like decades ago - before it was "discovered" by the hippies,  gays, and literati who made Key West famous. It must have been a magical place then. Well, the weather and clean air and the mighty Atlantic Ocean have not changed. Town fathers have tried to preserve much of the town while allowing the tourist industry to flourish.

 The above photos show Casa Roma which in former days was an elegant compound of homes, incredible garden, and tower. The first aerial photo above was taken in 1941 while the photo immediately above was taken in 1950. During the intervening years the US government built a military hospital in the once open space to the north of the Casa Roma. Most if not all of that hospital has been rebuilt in the past two decades.  In the next couple of decades the little triangle space north of US 1 was filled in where the first Holiday Inn was later built. The wetlands across A1A (now South Roosevelt Blvd.) were filled and houses built. The land adjacent to A1A is now hotels The gardens south of tower have been developed with a few single family homes, condominiums, and weekly vacation rental time shares. The tower remains and it is now for sale.

When you compare the postcard view with the current photo you will see that there have been a couple of alterations to the structure, primarily windows added to allow sunlight into the building.

Casa Roma Lane is accessed off A1A. There is off street parking adjacent to this house. Once you pass the gate the majesty of the tower comes into full view. Then you see the box-like two story deck that converts the round tower into something not round. Then you see the pool and spa. Some may think the pool is too small. Others will find this outdoor space delightful, maybe even romantic.

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"The landmark tower on Casa Roma Lane. Architect and builder Kevin Melloncamp has created a stunning retreat for himself by incorporating the 1940’s tower with a large new addition surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens with heated pool and spa. This stand-alone home has an elegant entry and two bedrooms and two baths on the main level. The second level consists of a gorgeous living room with vaulted ceiling, surround sound and lots of natural light. The really cool, well equipped kitchen is in the tower with curved walls, granite counter tops and a round center island. Both the first and second floor open to large shady porches for relaxing and enjoying the views. The third level of the tower is a guest bedroom and bath. Enjoy the incredible 360 degree view of the island, Atlantic
and Gulf from the circular deck off of the fourth floor office or den with wet bar and fireplace. This incredible property is located on a private lane with parking for 2 cars, a nice storage shed and is adjacent to the Coconut Mallory Marina for boating."

The kitchen is located in the tower. It's amazing how much geometry went into crafting this space into a functional kitchen.  The spiral staircase leads upward to the top of the tower. Another amazing space. Then you walk out onto the circular walkway. As I looked at the historic photos from years ago and compare how much this tiny little part of the island has grown, I can't help regret not being able to see the space from the tower then and compare it to now. Of course, that's life anywhere - the then and the now and the future. Still this tower view no matter when anyone goes outside will always be something to see.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS for more information on 3 Casa Roma Lane is offered for sale at $1,349,000. If this one-of-a-kind home intrigues you, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.