1122 Von Phister Street, Key West - Welcome to My Neighborhood

There is a lot of hidden potential sitting behind the trees and tropical foliage at 1122 Von Phister Street in the tony Key West neighborhood known as the Casa Marina Area. I have lived in this area for 21 years and love it.

I looked in my old shoebox and found the above photo which shows a small conch house being relocated from 610 Dey Street in Old Town to 1122 Von Phister Street sometime around 1958. (Dey Street runs east from Simonton Street to Elizabeth Street near the seaport. There is a big commercial building at that location today.) The Casa Marina Area was developed gradually over the years after the Casa Marina Hotel was opened in 1925. Individual houses populated individual lots in the area until just after World War II ended. Undeveloped lots were purchased and new homes added, many of which were mid-century modern like the house next door to the west of 1122 Von Phister.  In the half century that has passed since the conch house was movd to it current location, the Casa Marina Area has become an alternative preference for many new home buyers who want to be in Key Weest but who prefer a home located in a quieter and less populated location. 

The above photo shows 1122 Von Phister as it appeared in 1965. You will notice two important features about the house. First, it sits back from the street and second it sits on the left side of what appears to be a large lot. The lot measures 60.25' wide by 97.5' deep or 5872 sq ft.  That's a bit larger than the typical 5000 sq ft Casa Marina lot - it offers much more ground with which to improve the house and lot. The original house measured 738 sq ft. This does not include the front porch but does include the rear bedroom which appears to be a sawtooth addition to the original cottage. In 2007 an addition was added on the right side which included a new indoor living area of 255 sq ft and a screened porch area also of 255 sq ft.  That addition has a basic flat roof which begs for a new second floor addition.

You enter the house into a wide hallway with the first of two bedrooms located up front. The second bedroom is located at the rear of the hallway with the kitchen and bathroom located in between. Both the kitchen and bath are very basic and have served this home well over the decades. You will note a cord handing from the attic hatch in the hallway. The attic runs the length of the oridinal house excluding the rear bedroom. The space has full window views from the front and rear and could incorporated into living space if either opened to the rooms below or possibly being made into a bedroom or other space if a stairway were to be added. 

The indoor and covered outdoor living areas are pictured above. The space works well with the original cottage. Noting too modern has been added here. That makes for easy living. A new owner who wants a simple place to live could move in and be quite happy.  I checked the City of Key West survey of contributing structures and determined this property is not on the list. The property itself is subject to HARC guidelines and HARC approval would be required for any additions or renovation to the property.

The side yards on either side of the building are wide. The rear yard is very large and has room for a pool. There are a couple of large trees which may have an impact on the size and location of a new pool. Otherwise, I think a new owner has many options on how and when to and maybe even whether to upgrade this property.  This is the least expensive single family home for sale in the Casa Marina Area at this time.  

1122 Von Phister Street if offered for sale at $799,000. Please CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Than 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 Key West.

1400 White Street, Key West - OPEN HOUSE Today

Yee-haw! Giddyup, pardner!

You've gotta follow us over to 1400 White Street to see the Open House - Open Today 12:00 to
2:00 PM. 

Be the First to Live in this Freshly Renovated, 1353 Square Feet, Two Story, Three Bedroom Casa Marina Area Condo. Grand New Designer Kitchen with Eat-In Dining Area, Custom Shaker Cabinets, Carrra Marble Counters, Stainless Steel Appliances. Two New Baths. Laundry. New Impact Windows and Doors in many areas. Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Floors. Large 22' 14' Private Deck. Offered Furnished as Shown. Offered at $675,000.

There's many darned good reasons to consider buying this three bedroom condo. There are only three units in the building and this unit is the largest. Just about everything inside is new. The back deck is totally private and has room for a hot tub if a new owner would want to add one. The monthly condo fees are just $544 and include all insurances. That means you this unit can qualify for a mortgage. The place is located just a few blocks from Higg's Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Fausto's Food Palace on White Street is located a couple of blocks to the north.  There are numerous gyms and yoga studios within easy walking distance. You can walk to the nearby Dairy Queen for a brain freeze or go many of the nearby small eateries. If you work for the City, the new city hall is located one block away. (Your boss will know when you play hookie, however.)

805 Catherine Street, Key West - Just Listed

Just Listed, but not by me, 805 Catherine Street, Key West. I got to show this house a few days ago to a customer who has a dream of owning a large Conch house in Old Town Key West. As we got out of my car and were walking toward this house I pointed out a one story Conch house across the street which I sold several years ago when buyers feared the collapse of the American economy. As you are aware, that did not happen. My potential buyers were shocked at the low price my buyers paid for a three bedroom home with a pool, guest cottage, and off street parking back then.  I also wrote a blog about the ugly duckling house next door the one I sold and across the street from 805 Catherine Street. That house is in the midst of an amazing transformation. I will be writing about in a future Projects of Key West blog. This area of Old Town has many active renovation projects underway.

The listing Realtor describes 805 Catherine Street this way:

"Excellent Old Town Renovation Project with tons of potential. Main House has 3BD/2BA, is full of Dade County Pine, High Ceilings & Opens out to large deck and Garden. Master Suite on Second Floor with front and Rear balcony's. Separate cottage located in back Corner of Garden with private patio. X-zone and Walking Distance to Duval and White St."

I looked through my old shoebox and found the above aerial photo that was taken in the 1950s. I added an arrow to show the location of 805 Catherine Street. It's really amazing to look back at photos like this to see how much of Key West has changed over the years. I then looked for a photo of 805 Catherine Street and found the pic below. This photo was taken in 1965. Look carefully and compare it to the color photo which shows 805 Catherine today.  The original roof-line was extended and a two story front porch added which totally transformed the look of the house. The Monroe Property Appraiser information suggests to me that the original renovation occurred around 1996.

 

I assume much of the interior was renovated at the same time. The current owner has nearly completed an update of the interior of the main house which includes updates to the bathrooms, new light fixtures and fans, relocating and updating the kitchen, and replacement of the first and second story rear decks. 

The main entrance to this home is located on the west side of the house. The front porch is now a private porch off the first floor front bedroom where you will see Dade County Pine on the walls, ceiling, and floors. There is a rear addition to the original house where the kitchen and living area are located. The current owner just relocated the kitchen to mid-way in the house which now allows the owner clear views of the rear deck and pool beyond.

The current owner recently removed a small kitchen from the rear side of the second floor. This created the possibility to create a second floor master suite with private sitting area, large master bath and closets, and huge vaulted master bedroom area with a covered front porch balcony as well. The ceilings in both the sitting area and bedroom area are quite tall. This could become a really dramatic area if decorated properly.

The current owner is going to replace the main floor rear deck, but will not be updating the guest cottage nor landscaping. The new owner will be able to save some money by doing exactly what he or she wants to do. The main house and cottage sit on an L-shaped lot with the cottage appended to the rear side. The cottage is 13' X 18' which needs a lot of work. This is all upside for the new owner.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos on 805 Catherine Street which is offered at $929,000. 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 Key West. Now is the time for a buyer to buy - before the hordes of buyers show up looking to grab up the few homes available for purchase.

1114 Margaret Street, Key West - Innovative New Look in Old Town

When most people start to consider the purchase of a home in Key West, they invariably think of buying the quintessential Key West cottage with white picket fence and charm galore. The popularity of these cottages has driven the price up as the supply goes down. I recently showed a new listing in  Old Town which is the antithesis of the cottage homes which are so sought after. I think this particular house is well worth consideration.  The listing Realtor describes 1114 Margaret Street this way:

"Nationally renowned Architect/Owner created a magical, private hideaway in Old Town Key West. The home perfectly suits the Key West indoor/outdoor lifestyle. The 2013 living room addition at the front of the house is steel beam construction with floor-to-ceiling impact-resistant glass which opens completely to the lush outdoors. The stylish kitchen boasts stainless steel counter & refrigerator and a glass breakfast nook. The large outdoor area at the rear of the house contains a tea house for lounging, a dining area, outdoor kitchen, and bar all surrounding a visually amazing water feature with the sounds of a flowing stream. Ensuite master bedroom and guest room have a clever folding wall, so that they can be transformed into one space. On-street parking is a breeze in this residential area."

When I first stepped into this home I thought I must be walking into an Architectural Digest home because the entire place blended together so perfectly. Then the listing Realtor explained the owner is an architect and designed many of the pieces including artwork, light fixtures, and some furniture. Then it all made sense. 

The living room pictured above was added to this home in 2013. At first the space seems like a glass house but then becomes quite private as I look through the glass walls to see that inquiring eyes from without cannot see inside. The north glass wall uses design elements to provide the privacy whereas tropical foliage and a fence provide privacy on the right side. The sun filters through to illuminate the space during the daytime to create a dramatic living space.

As I scanned the room I saw how the the sharp lines were counter-balanced by the curved lines in various pieces of furnished and artwork. Now I realize every home has straight pieces and curved and rounded pieces, but they don't work together like this place. This place did not just happen. It was created. Take a look at the glass breakfast bar which separates the kitchen from the dining area. Notice the two petite curved gray steel chairs. The curves follow through with the plate on the breakfast bar itself and reappear in the dining room chairs and the oval table and wood light fixture above. I stated the obvious: the house is perfect. Then I asked the agent if the house could be purchased as is. It is not offered furnished. But you never know how deals end up getting done.

More clever design is revealed just after you enter the hallway. There is a newly added guest bath which has a tiny illuminated opaque glass sink. I have never seen anything like it. 

The guest bedroom is shown in the first picture above. The middle photo shows the master bedroom. The picture immediately above shows what is used as a sitting room off the bedroom. The wall between the master bedroom and sitting room can open to create a more open and fluid space. There is a little office tucked into the recess of the sitting area. 

An alcove off the master bedroom leads to the rear sanctuary where the owner created a tea house elevated above the spa. There is an outdoor kitchen and bar area plus a little dining area as well. This is truly one of the most amazing use of outdoor space I have seen in Key West. The space is covered so you can even use in on those few occasions it is raining. And like the living room, while the space is quite open to the external world, it is private. None of the neighboring homes have view into this sanctuary.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos for 1114 Margaret Street which is offered at $895,000.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this stunning Old Town home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. The only gingerbread in this home will be the gingerbread man at Christmas.