816 Eaton Street, Key West - Quintessential Eyebrow House

In his book The Houses of Key West  Alex Cammerer wrote about his first visit to Key West which turned into a love affair with the architecture of Old Town. He referred to eyebrow houses simply stating "with their front porch roofs extending demurely over the second-story windows, hence the term eyebrows. I have discovered that they are unique to Key West and are not found anywhere else in the country."

816 Eaton Street, Key West

Cammerer then compared the eyebrow style to a salt box laid on its side with the roof line extended downwards to rest upon columns which creates a permanent awning that spans the entire width of the house sheltering the second floor windows from light, rain, and wind. Back in real old days  - the time before air conditioning and even before electricity - houses were cooled naturally using window placement for cross ventilation, shutters, awnings, scuttles, and trees. The eyebrow house provided a different manner to provide air circulation. And it did so with great style.

A few months back I wrote a blog about the very small eyebrow house at 628 Frances Street. It was such a cute little house of only 1017 square feet situated on a 2366 square foot lot. Today's featured home located at 816 Eaton Street is more than twice the size at 2352 square feet and sits on a 4285 square foot lot. Some eyebrow homes are small; some are large; they are all unique. Let me share with you the features of this newly renovated home which the listing Realtor describes as:

"This award-winning, Circa 1872 'Eyebrow' in Old Town can be offered fully furnished. No expense was spared in renovating and furnishing the property. Each of the four bedrooms have bathrooms en suite. Two bedrooms are located downstairs. A free-standing staircase leads to the other very private guest bedrooms upstairs, one with it's own spectacular balcony. An inviting walkway leads up to a grand covered front porch, a gracious entrance to this elegant home. The welcoming living room with warm Dade County pine walls gracefully leads the eye past the gourmet eat-in kitchen and dining area out to the pool with waterfall and lush tropical gardens. Also outdoors are comfortable and elegant living and dining areas. Special features include ductless central air through out, gourmet kitchen with adjoining laundry and pantry, covered outdoor entertainment area with widescreen television, off-street parking, and so much more. This home has everything you are looking for in a Key West property."

First floor front bedroom and bath

I have been inside a lot of the eyebrow houses in Key West over the years. The houses were built with a center hall on the first floor with a stairway at the rear that led to the second floor landing at the front of the house which would have bedrooms on either side of the landing. The main floor typically had two boxed-in rooms on either side of the entry hall. The interior walls were constructed with Dade County Pine. If you look at the first photo above you will see a doorway entrance to a main floor bedroom located to the right of the front door. But the space to the left side is open into the living room. Someone removed the wall that used to be located there. Note also the large opening at the rear of the stairs that leads into the kitchen. The kitchen appears to be a modern addition to the old house and even more recently updated by this current owner. There is an adjacent pantry which also includes the laundry and lots of storage.

Potential main floor master suite off the pool

I had not been inside this home before my recent visit. I looked at the old mls photos and saw a free form pool added in 1996. The current owner removed that oddity and replaced with the new pool and the unique covered outdoor living area. This space remarkable!  There is a second main floor bedroom located off the back side of the house. I would be tempted to use this bedroom as the master suite.

The second floor landing provides access to either of the bedrooms. I was surprised to see how large these bedrooms are. Like I said earlier, I have been inside a lot of eyebrow houses. These bedrooms are huge by comparison to most I have seen. And each bedroom has a real bath - large ones in fact. The master suite even has a private sundeck.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more beautiful photos of this photogenic eyebrow house that is offered for sale a $2,195,000 by Preferred Properties Key West where I am a buyers agent. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing. Let's take a look at all the details that have been incorporated into this beautiful home.

915 Washington Sreet, Key West - Sweet Casa Marina Area Cottage

Christmas is arriving early this year. But I must warn you, if you snooze, you'll lose. If you doubt this Mr. Thomas, you will be sorry. I know this to be a fact and not some Realtor mumbo-jumbo. The adorably sweet Casa Marina Cottage located at 915 Washington Street in Key West was just listed for sale.

The listing Realtor (not me) describes it best as she writes:

"Classic Conch Home in prestigious Casa Marina neighborhood. This three bedroom, 3.5 bath historic home has an expansive, large, comfortable front porch on beautifully landscaped corner lot in Casa Marina that whispers “Welcome to Paradise.” Soaring ceilings and light-filled windows in the open floor plan living room and kitchen connect through French doors to the secluded outdoor entertainment areas with pool, deck and private conversation spots. Corner lot ensures you enjoy every Key West breeze. Rare off-street, covered parking for you and your guests. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout are accented with custom tiles in the kitchen and master bath, bringing a touch of classic Old Key West to this home. Choose either of the two en-suite bedrooms for your master, third bedroom with bath plus a lock-out door is a perfect office or guest suite. This home in one of Key West's most desirable residential neighborhoods has been updated and lovingly maintained. Move-in ready for those desiring that special classic Key West look-and-feel with potential to add your personal touches."

It is such a joy to view a home that is truly loved and taken well care of. When you look at the exterior of this house for the first time you will instantaneously know it looks equally charming on the inside. It's like seeing a little boy or girl with a freshly scrubbed face, combed hair, big smile, and clean clothes. Precious is easy to recognize. You get one chance in life to make a good impression. This house wins that point! While there are only a few other cottage style homes in the Casa Marina Area, this is the only one with such a presence.

This 1211 square foot home sits on a 3600 square foot lot at the corner of Washington and Grinnell Streets. You just cannot ask for a better location in Key West. The streets are wide and the houses are well maintained. Many of the homes in this area are second homes, and most of the recent home sales were for properties priced well over one million dollars and several in this past year have topped three million dollars.

When you open the front door you enter into the great room with its vaulted ceiling that spans the east side of this home. Multiple sets of windows and French doors at the end provide ample muted light into this wonderful space. The color combination of the bright ceiling, colorful walls, and rich wood floors create a restful space for easy living. The French doors open out to the side garden where the pool is located. The pool is actually located just east of the front porch which faces south. That means you will have sun in the pool area most of the day.

The hallway leads to the three bedrooms located on the west side of the home.  There is a powder room located just on the other side of the kitchen wall. Each of the bedrooms has a bath.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet plus all listing photos of this lovely cottage style home located in the coveted Casa Marina neighborhood. 915 Washington Street is offered at just
$1,250,000. That is a deal!  And that is why I said "If you snooze, you'll lose. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule an appointment to see this sweet home with a precious countenance. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. While you won't be able to own this place in time for Christmas this year, it certainly could be your home for Christmas next year. But only if you act quickly.

updated 12-21-2017

734 Amelia Street, Key West, Florida

The newly constructed house at 734 Amelia Street is a lovely addition to the Key West home scene. Few occasional visitors and locals probably recognize this location. This two block stretch of Amelia Street which runs east from Simonton to Windsor Lane was omitted in the Historic Historic Sanborn Fire Maps from 1889 through 1912. St. Mary's convent school yard was and still is located across the street where a tall stone wall insulates the school yard from public view. One of the maps referred to the entire area as "tropical gardens". I found the black and white aerial photo below taken in 1960. I added a notation to show the location of the home that was located thre at that time. I also found a photo of the former house that was razed. The lot sat vacant for as many years as I can recall. That explains how the current owner obtained permission to build a new house in a town where old homes are treasured.

The listing Realtor describes the new house this way:

"This beautiful, brand new home boast 3 large bedrooms with 3.5 baths equipped w/ bluetooth audio and shower wands. Master features his & her closets, gorgeous bath & private balcony. 2100sqft of open living space with many upgrades including hand scraped engineered oak flooring, quartz counter-tops, induction cook-top range, built in microwave drawer, high power ultra-quite dishwasher, X-large 34 cubic foot refrigerator. Built to 180 m.p.h. wind load, maintenance free Hardie board siding, Trex composite decking, aluminum impact windows & doors in highly desirable X Flood Zone. Outdoor living area entertainment center, plus a wonderful outdoor kitchen area w/ commercial 120 lb ice machine. Relax poolside or soak in the spa after a long day. Off street parking."

When you enter the home the first thing I noticed was the handsome wood floors and then the stylish  staircase that leads to the second floor. My eyes were drawn to the rear of the home where the great room is located. This  area is bright and welcoming. Two sets of impact glass doors open out to the partially covered rear deck. Another door opens to the east side deck. Windows on either side provide garden views. This space is so inviting and it is not decorated yet. I had to touch the quart counter-tops that are impregnated with just a touch of color. What I thought was a simple French refrigerator is actually a large refrigerator with normal cold food storage on top and frozen fools on the bottom. The built-in breakfast bar will keep the chef a part of whatever is going on inside this area. The guest powder room is located off the kitchen. Note the crewon molding, extra large baseboards, handsome real wood doors used throughout the house.

 

The pool and garden area will probably be a very well-used part of the living that occurs in this home. There is a built-in automatic elevated television system where the TV will rise out above the cut stone base. What I call the mini-kitchen (or bar) is on east side deck which would presumably be used for outdoor dining. The sunny pool is long enough to really swim in. And there is a spa for whatever it is that one does in a spa.

There is a first floor bedroom which is large enough to serve as a master bedroom in later years when climbing the stairs may be come a challenge. Windows on two walls allow generous light to enter this space. The en-suite bath is large and comfortable. While each bathroom is unique in vanities chosen, they all use porcelain tile floors and glass shower enclosures. Both second floor bedrooms have private decks. The occupants of this bedroom have use of the front porch. The second floor hallway is quite large and provides a good separation between the bedrooms. The hallway includes a bank of closets where the laundry and the AC are located.

The second floor front guest bedroom is quite large as is the private en-suite bath. This bedroom includes a pull down ladder to attic storage. The covered front deck provides views of St. Mary's school yard across the street. The master bedroom at the rear has views of the pool and  the southeast skyline. Notice the underside of the canopy. This same motif is employed in all covered outdoor roof locations. Note as well the porcelain decks off the master bedroom. Trex decks are used in the other outdoor areas.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet for 734 Amelia Street that is offered for sale at $1,695,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this new home with a lot of money saving features built in. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.