701 Washington Street - The Casa Marina Area - Key West

The asking price on 701 Washington Street in the premier Casa Marina Area was just reduced to $1,980,000. The listing Realtor describes this new buying opportunity thus:

"Motivated Seller just reduced the price of this sprawling Mission-style home, located in the desirable Casa Marina Area, near Louie's Back Yard and Dog Beach. Each bedroom suite has uniquely-styled bathrooms. The master suite has an adjoining sitting room and small office. The state-of-the-arts kitchen connects seamlessly with a butler's pantry and laundry room. In addition to a spacious living room and dining area, there is a magnificent wing, slated for billiards and entertainment, that overlooks the expansive salt-water pool that is heated and cooled. The grounds of the property feature specimen tropicals and Key West natives. A spiral staircase leads to a roof top deck for sunning and observation. Possible seller financing."

Buyers looking for a big house at a great price in a wonderful location should read on. The original home was built in 1959. The home was totally renovated over a two year period and was completed in 2009.

The renovation included all new natural stone and hardwood floors (except where original Cuban Tile was retained). Each of the four en-suite baths plus guest bath feature marble, granite, or onyx and designer bath fixtures. Suntubes were introduced to provide natural lighting into many areas of the home. Custom made eight foot mahogany bi-fold doors were added to the new game room which opens out to the pool area. Mahogany doors and windows, iron gates, and custom lighting were added throughout the house. The result is a gracious Spanish style home with with 3488 sq feet of indoor living space that sits on a 10,600 square foot lot just one block from the Atlantic Ocean.

There are several living areas including a formal living room, game room with vaulted ceiling, and a family room that is adjacent to the kitchen. The mahogany windows and doors in the living areas were custom made in Honduras and offer windstorm protection to to 155 mph. This will result in a huge discount for windstorm insurance.

Custom made mahogany windows and doors

The master bedroom suite is at the rear and includes a separate sitting room, office, bedroom and en-suite bath with sunken tub, shower, a regular closet and a cedar lined closet, and the necessities. The master suite is larger and much more plus than many condos near Old Town. A door opens from the master suite to a spa located just outside the door-the perfect spot for late night relaxation.

 Master Suite with sitting room

 One of the three guest bedrooms with en-suite bath

The house has a total of four bedrooms and five bathrooms. Each bedroom is large and unique in design. The bathrooms feature a variety of high bath fixtures, tiles, marble and other hard surface materials, and dramatic light fixtures.

The extra large and very sunny pool runs north and south and can be entered from the game room to the east, the family room to the west, or the master suite to the north. A spiral staircase provides access to the rooftop sundeck.

CLICK HERE to view a slideshow of photos of this wonderful Casa Marina home.

 Spa located off master suite

View from sundeck

 Vintage photo of Casa Marina Hotel

While they still may not putt on the grounds at the Casa Marina, the hotel is still an integral part of life in Key West. You can purchase a membership to the Casa Marina beach club and use the gym, spa, and beach as often as you want. I recently sold a home in the area to a doctor and his family who joined the club. They are delighted with the decision because it enhances the easy living lifestyle in the Casa Marina area.

If belonging to a club isn't your thing, nearby Higg's Beach is free. Doggie Beach and Louie's Backyard and the After Deck Bar one block away from 701 Washington Street. Salute` on the Beach is a much cheaper place to eat, and the views are always interesting. You can even walk over to Duval Street, it's just a couple of blocks to the west. Being able to go wherever you want whenever you want is priceless.

 Louie's Backyard and Doggie Beach

Higg's Beach

 Salute` on the Beach

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and view listing photographs. If you would like to see this property please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or send me an email at kw1101v@aol.com I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Reality, Inc. I live in the Casa Marina area and know how easy living can be there. Take the time to find out for yourself.

---

801-807 Fleming Street - Old Town - Key West

 Just listed by Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) 801-807 Fleming Street in Old Town Key West.  I dug deep into the old shoe box and found photos taken back in 1965 that show the houses as they existed then. This was during a period where much of Key West had been neglected for years. The houses were updated several years ago and then significantly updated just recently.

801 Fleming St built circa 1889

807 Fleming Street built circa 1892

801-807 Fleming Street in 2013

 The listing Realtor describes these two properties that are now forever joined this way:

 "This extensively renovated prime Old Town property consists of 2 historic homes that each have 2BR/1BA plus an apartment over the enclosed garage. Added features include a large pool with waterfall located between both homes along with outdoor shower, modernized bathrooms and stainless steel appliances. If people watching is your cup of tea, there are porches off each home that overlook the popular Fleming Street. Within walking distance to famed Duval Street, shops, restaurants, and bars."

The two houses are now combined into one larger property which is currently used as a successful vacation rental with five bedrooms and three baths which are disbursed between the older homes that have been significantly updated. A beautiful new (and sunny) pool sits between the two houses.   There is a total of 91 sq ft of living space under air.  The lot is 95' wide by 44' deep or 4180 sq ft.

CLICK HERE to see more photos of this property. 

The location could not be better for vacationers: the corner of William Street at Fleming Street. From this location you and your guest can be at the Historic Key West Seaport in about five minutes (just two blocks north) or Duval Street which is located three blocks west.  There are numerous cafes and restaurants within fie minutes without going to Duval or the Seaport. And if you just sit on the front porch you will find the people watching is delightful.


CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and to view listing photos. This property is offered at $1,895,000.  If you would like to see this home or any other property 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.  

Sunday Open House - 909 Pohalski Lane - Key West

Now that you know the when and the where, here's why you should come see this home:

• Completed December 2012
• 1286 Square Feet of Living Space
• 700 Square Feet of Outdoor Living Area
• Two Bedrooms plus Two 1/2 Baths
• Beautiful Kitchen with Stainless Steel Appliances
• Wind Impact Resistant Glass Doors and Windows
• Located on an Old Town lane
• Optionally Licensed as a Duplex

 Offered at $595,000

809 Eaton Street - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed by Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 809 Eaton Street in Old Town Key West.  The original house dates back to circa 1840 when it was built for Henry Lowe. The house was totally restored and expanded in 2005 when it was featured in the Old Island Foundation House Tour.  The house is typical of other Bahamian styled homes of that era located in the immediate neighborhood.

Many of the Key West's founding fathers were expatriates from the Bahamas. They brought with them the architectural style and construction techniques with which they were familiar.  Bahamian styled houses were placed on piers and had wood frames, tall ceilings and large windows with Bahama shutters which permitted wind to circulate through the house for natural cooling. The houses were built with wood clapboard siding.

I dug deep into the old shoebox and found a photo of the roof of 809 Eaton Street (black and white photo immediately below) that was taken in 1914.  I just love the look of Key West back in the day. You can see that the Historic Seaport is only a couple of blocks away. Note all of the smaller buildings which back then were cook houses or privies.  I found another photo of 809 Eaton Street that was taken in 1965 (black and white photo second below). The house would have been about 125 years old when that pic was taken. Forty-eight years later 809 Eaton Street still looks great (color photo below taken February 2013).

 

 
The listing Realtor describes 809 Eaton Street this way:

"Classic 1800's Old Town property which is a combination of the Henry Lowe House and the Samuel Kemp House, built in 1840. This 5 bedroom / 4.5 bath 3 story home with 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom guest cottage has all the amenities you're looking for! This historic home offers a spacious living area with large open kitchen which is great for entertaining. Additional features include large porches throughout, high ceilings, Dade County Pine, hardwood flooring, large covered deck, fantastic pool and jacuzzi and off-street parking. Converted cistern as wine cellar. There is also a 60,000 watt generator so you're never in the dark. On the National Registry of Historic Places."

 This house has 4712 sq ft of living space in the main house and guest cottage. The lot is an irregular rectangle of of 6079 sq ft (approximately 57' x 125'). The main level includes a spacious living room, dining room, family room and extra large kitchen and pantry. The master bedroom with en-suite bath is also located on the main floor at the left rear of the home.  Multiple sets of French doors line the back of the house and open onto a rear loggia that overlooks the pool.

A gracious staircase leads to the second floor where there are two large bedrooms and baths. These bedrooms open onto the wrap-around second floor porch. A smaller staircase leads to the third floor which has a dormitory style bedroom plus a wonderful bath at the rear which as a view looking toward the Gulf of Mexico. You can see the pool, guest cottage, and garden.This is the kind of view that  people who accomplished great things get to enjoy.

The interior finishes and materials are all of the highest quality. While the house is rich in history and the house itself has several formal living spaces, most of the living areas on the inside and outside are quite relaxed. The combined family room and kitchen provide area for family and friends to enjoy this incredible home.

It is the outdoor living area that will probably entice that special buyer to select this home. The covered rear deck overlooks the lengthy pool and spa which is surrounded by bricked walkways and sunning areas. The guest cottage on the west side was built as part of the 2005 restoration and expansion. The cottage has a separate designer kitchen and bath plus bedroom each of which looks out to the pool. (Your guests will never leave.)    

The property has two off street parking spots: one adjacent to the front entrance and a second at the rear.  The whole house generator will provide electricity to keep you comfortable and cozy in the event of power failure elsewhere on the island. CLICK HERE to view a slide show of photos of this incredible Key West property.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of this special Key West home which is offered at $2,850,000. If you area qualified buyer and would like to see this special home, 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. This is a home not to be missed.