11 Cypress Avenue, Key West - Waterfront Estate

I was invited to a special broker open event yesterday to view the stunning waterfront property located at 11 Cypress Avenue in Key West. It wasn't until I started to prepare to write today's blog that I learned I had been here before and actually showed the property around fifteen years earlier - much before it's recent renovation and expansion. Let's start our tour from water's edge and move inside this beautiful home.

Windows and doors on the first and second floor look out or open out to the pool and Lake Cypress (salt water "lake") which leads directly out to through a canal to the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. You can be in really deep ocean waters within a few minutes. But you need only step down a few steps to enjoy the resort style pool and spa. A covered loggia is located nearby for al fresco dining.

A small bridge spans the very large koi pond next to the tiki hut. The pool and gardens were designed by Craig Reynolds, Key West's premiere landscape architect. The grounds are illuminated and irrigated. Identification plates inform guests as to the botanical names of the palms and tropical foliage. (By the way the koi pond has an automatic feeder.)

I stopped and gazed at the front entry for several minutes to absorb the space. I am used to showing small cigar maker cottages and on occasion larger Conch homes in the historic district of Key West. This home is huge by comparison - 4385 square feet. The interiors are commanding. The home is ultra-sleek. Clean lines abound. The color palettes include white, ebony, gray, and walnut interspersed with bright colors from the art collection. The kitchen features Allimomo White Lacquer and Ebony Madagascar cabinets with built in walnut drawers with built-in LED lighting. (I have never seen individual lighted drawers anywhere.) The attention to detail is evident in every corner in this home.

The listing Realtor describes the home as being coastal/modern and points out there are water views from almost every room in the house. South facing windows filter light through the house during the daytime.  

While the rooms and spaces on the main level are bright, open, and expansive, the rooms on the second floor personal. One guest bedroom includes a sitting room. The other is just a plain old bedroom. (Don't believe what I just wrote. Nothing in this house is old or plain.)

The master suite includes an office and sitting room (not shown in the above photos) plus access to the second floor balcony overlooking the pool, gardens, and Lake Cypress. The bedroom itself is subdued and cozy, that's the way bedrooms are supposed to be. The bed rests on a plush carpet that is as soft as a cloud.  As I made my way through toward the bathroom I did a pirouette. This space is just beyond belief for a house in Key West. I thought I must have been zapped to Miami or Beverly Hills. The bathroom shower is twenty feet long. (Nancy Friday would have loved this place. I sold her former home on Pinder Lane. It had a shower large enough to accommodate perhaps six adults. Maybe it did.) The bath tub is filled from a waterfall from the ceiling. There are dual vanities on either side. The hall then leads into the dressing room where floor to ceiling closets line both sides of the room. Each closet is individually lighted and outfitted for men's and women's garments and accessories. An island provides more storage.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 11 Cypress Avenue, Key West. 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.

1307 Elizabeth Street, Key West - Short Sale - Buying Opportunity

Buyers seeking a "fixer" that does not look like it needs all that much fixed should take notice of this new short sale located at 1307 Elizabeth Street, Key West. The house looks as though the owner walked away. Palm fronds are scattered all over the driveway and bricked side and back yards. I sold another house on this block three years ago and happened to snap a photo of 1307 Elizabeth Street as it appeared then. See below. It fits in nicely with the other lovely homes on this one block stretch between United Street to the north and South Street to the south. Simonton Street is one-half block away and Duval Street is one block further west. You could not ask for a better located in Old Town - it's close to the action but not a part of it.

A previous MLS listing provided a bit of history of this former cigar maker cottage which was allegedly made in the Bahamas and floated to Key West in the 1880s for use of workers at the nearby Gato Cigar factory. In the 1920ss it was used as a bakery. I checked the Monroe County Property Appraiser records and learned the house was significantly remodeled in 1996.

The black and white photo from 1965 shows the original cigar maker cottage together with an addition at the rear. The 1996 renovation added a second addition which is where the kitchen and dining area are now located. This room is a step down from the main living level and has a shed roof. The bedroom is located at the front of the house followed by the bathroom. All rooms have vaulted ceilings except the kitchen. The interiors are modern and do not have any historic character. Not being negative. Just pointing out what exists. A new side entrance on the north side opens into the living room. The old front porch is now a place for sitting outside off the bedroom.

The renovated house has 812 square feet of living space under air that sits on a lot measuring 40' wide by 81' deep. There is off street parking in front and a washer and dryer located in the shed at the rear. It appears that all of the windows are shuttered including the clerestory windows in the living area at the rear. The north side yard and back area are brick pavers.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to discuss. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. This will go quickly, at least as far as contract negotiation.

Hey! Paula! - 3707 Paula Avenue, Key West That Is

Readers who have been waiting for a really nice home to move into need look no further than 3707 Paula Avenue in the new town area of Key West. I was really taken by how nicely this home was updated. And it has a legal one bedroom apartment with a separate entrance.

The record Hey Paula dates back to 1963. That's the same year this home was built. The old house doesn't look like so many others who have been updated by weekend warriors. Instead, this home was thoughtfully brought into the 21st century with design elements that will be practical for decades to come.

The 1200 square foot main house has two bedrooms and two baths. There is also a legal accessory unit with about 247 square feet of living space that is as neat and clean as the main house. Updated features in the main house include new windows, new floors, large baseboards, trim, new lighting and fans,  new designer kitchen and stainless steel appliances.

The guest cottage is legal and would probably rent in the $1500 per month range. It has separate electric, gas, and laundry. It has a private entry so as to not interfere with the home owner. The income should pay all of the home owner's insurances, taxes, and maintenance.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos. 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. This is worth looking at. It is looks so much better than the average mid century update.