1301 Newton Street - The Meadows Area - Key West

I recently had the opportunity to show 1301 Newton Street which is located at the corner of Newton and Florida Streets in the Meadows Area of Key West or two blocks east of Old Town proper. The Monroe County Property Appraiser identifies this home as having been built in 1943. I know that is not right because we were still involved in World War II at that time and houses in the Old Town environs were not being built the. So I searched the Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West and found what I believe to be 1301 Newton Steet on the 1892 Sanborn Fire Map. The city had not yet assigned street numbers to each property. To complicate matters the street name for the exact location was then called "Rawson" not Newton. However, the next block to the west was clearly identified as Newton Street.  No matter, I am confident that the house identified today as 1301 Newton Street existed as of 1892.  See the black and white photo below which shows how the house looked in 1965. Compare that with the color photo below.

Today you will see that the house has been renovated to include a second floor addition. The Property Appraiser's records do not show when the second floor addition was added.  I can tell you that I think it would be highly unlikely that a full second floor addition like that would be permitted today. That's not inferring anything negative about this property, but stating the HARC (Historic Architectural Review Commission) guideline against such a drastic redo. The second floor addition added 513 sq ft of living space. The main level now has 828 sq ft of interior living space. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos.

 The listing Realtor, not me, describes 1301 Newton Street this way:

"The Meadows is one of the most desirable residential neighborhoods in Key West. This renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has an open floor plan downstairs with fine wood floors and a cook's mod kitchen. French doors lead to an outside living/dining deck area with room for a hot tub. Downstairs has 2 bedrooms and full bath. The master suite is upstairs and there are French doors leading to a large and lovely tree-shaded balcony. On-street parking is easy! The lot is 1624 sf making this an extremely low-maintenance home. Neither off-street parking nor a swimming pool are possible. The simplicity and style of this home in this wonderful neighborhood presents an outstanding value. ONE BLOCK STROLL TO OLD TOWN."

The house sits behind a white picket fence. The front gate leads to a small courtyard entrance and pleasant front porch. I had shown this home many years ago. Even though I had reviewed the mls listing before showing this home, I was not prepared for the new more contemporary look this home has. I was really impressed by the openness and clean lines the owners used to make this home more appealing to modern day living. The newly added pine floors shine and provide unifying look throughout the two floors.

The bright contemporary kitchen is located at the rear.  An innovative breakfast bar does double duty by providing eating space and storage space below.  The large kitchen window provides wonderful daytime light. Abundant nighttime light is also present. I mention this because too many redos leave simple little things like lighting 'undone'. Such is not the case here where even the interior glass enclosed upper cabinets are illuminated.

There are two bedrooms located on the main floor. You can see the larger of the two which is located just off the kitchen. The other bedroom is located at the very front of the home. Both are the main floor bath which is also where the laundry is located. 

The pine stairway leads to the second floor which is the master bedroom suite. A door at the top of the stairs locks this area off from the kids or guests below. The space up here is quite large compared to most homes you'd expect to see in Old Town or Meadows Area homes. There is more than adequate to provide a sitting area, office or computer workspace, large walk-in closet, plus access to the second level front deck.  The master bath is located here as well. 

A set of French doors at the front of the bedroom lead to the second floor front deck that overlooks Newton Street below. The tree shown in the black and white photo has grown quite large and provides natural shading for the house and especially the deck. This would make the perfect perch for people watching.  

Windows and doors throughout this house have been recently replaced.  The exterior siding has likewise been recently painted.  I did not see any deferred maintenance. Downstairs there is a deck located at the east rear side of the house. A gate from the front provides easy access for using this space for bike or sport storage.  The space is large enough to add a hot tub or outdoor dining.  The rear already provides lots of storage.

This house is in move-in condition.  It does not a pool or parking and there is never going to be a possibility of adding either. But it does provide lots of quality living space, and it is located in the quiet Meadows Area of Key West. This area is a brief stroll to Old Town.  Most of the gyms and yoga studios are within easy walking distance.  Bayview Park is four blocks to the south. Most of the surrounding properties are single family residences. 

1301 Newton Street is offered for sale at $671,000.  CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this super clean Meadows Area home and then 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.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise. 

906 Florida Street - Key West Meadow's Are Charmer

906 Florida Street in Key West is an Arts and Crafts style bungalow with two bedrooms, two baths, and lots of charm packed inside the 1061 sq ft of living space (not including the enclosed front porch.  Although the Monroe County Property Appraiser shows the construction date as 1938 (which was in the midst of the Great Depression) I think the more logical date would have been the 1920s. The house is located at the corner of Florida and Albury Streets.  The house sits behind a tall fence which provides privacy from passing dogs, bicyclists, joggers, walkers, and other area residents and tourists who happen to stumble upon this little block located one block north of Bayview Park.

I dug into the old shoe box and found two photos of 906 Florida Street and learned that there used to be a second cottage on the lot.  On the day I arrived to take photos of this property I parked my car on Albury Street which runs parallel to Truman Avenue.  I remarked to myself as I excited the car how long the lot was and how densely populated it was with tropical foliage. (The lot is 90' long and 40' wide or 3630 sq ft.) When I found the second photo I understood why the lot was so large - there used to be a second cottage on the lot.  The second cottage was razed and the old cement block fence has been replaced with a tall wood privacy fence.

The listing Realtor, Mitzi Krabil, describes the property this way:

"This charming remodeled 2 bedroom 2 bath home is located on a private fenced corner lot in the popular Meadows neighborhood. The living room with vaulted ceiling opens through several sets of French doors to the pool, garden and hot tub. Additional features include a new kitchen and electrical service, off street parking, and hurricane rated shutters. Well maintained and easy to show."

Glass windows now enclose the previously screened front porch. The current owners use this space as an artist studio. Imagine how you might use this well lighted space.  When you enter the front door you step into an area the owners use as an office but the space could have many alternative uses. The recently updated kitchen follows.  Note the window view your mate will have as he or she does the dishes.

The living room or great room is located at the rear of the house. The vaulted ceiling really makes this space seem very large. French doors open out to the pool and hot tube (protected by its own little canopy).  The garden is lush with tropical foliage.  As soon as I saw this space I thought about buyers who want a place that could be rented as a vacation rental and said to myself this would make a great vacation rental property.  The outdoor space is just amazing.

The home has two bedrooms and two bath which you can view together with more photos of the house and yard if you CLICK HERE.

906 Florida Street is offered at $699,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet which contain detailed info on this home and more photos as well. But better than looking a photos and details, why don't you call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this lovey Meadows Area home.  It is really sweet and it is in move-in condition.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

310 Amelia Street ~ Key West ~ Bank Owned

The Bank Owned home at 310 Amelia Street in the Bahama Village area of Key West was listed 47 days ago by a fellow Realtor. This three bedroom/two bath house with pool and off street parking was built new (not remodeled nor updated) in 2001.  It has 1548 sq ft of living space under air plus a prominent front porch for people watching and an extra-large rear loggia that wraps around the rear side of the home. And it is Bank Owned and is offered for sale at $749,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"This three Bedroom and two bath newer construction home in the Historic District was built by a builder for a builder. Large lot with heaps of off-street parking, a large in-ground pool, enormous master suite and two zone AC." 

Locals and returning vacationers will recall that the Bahama Village was undergoing quite the renaissance a decade ago when housing prices in Old Town reached a point that spurred buyers to consider less costly parts of town to buy, remodel, or build new. The beautiful house on the corner was built new during that time as well. A lovely home across the street was stylishly updated and a pool added to that property. And 310 Amelia Street was built new. It incorporated all the new Florida building code requirements adopted after Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida (not Key West) a couple of years earlier.

The main floor great room is open and inviting. French doors at the rear of the kitchen provide easy access to the rear deck and pool area or the second floor bedrooms. There is a built in breakfast bar that provides informal dining space whilst the cook makes prepares a meal in the large kitchen. Note the dishwasher and microwave oven were removed. A new owner might just update all appliances and give the space a total new look. That's not necessary but it might make sense.

There are two bedrooms that share a single bath on the second floor. The east bedroom has immediate access via a pocket door. The west bedroom has access via door in the hallway. Note that both bedroom ceilings appear to look like the spaces may have been converted into bedrooms. That is not the case. I don't know the specifics of the design of this house, but I do know that our Historic Architectural Review Commission likes to see new construction that looks similar to, but not be a copycat of, other homes in an area. The bedroom and bath spaces work great and provide total privacy from the master bedroom that is located off the great room in the rear section of the home.

 The little "dormer" off the backside of the second floor roof is the second floor landing. The dormer provides daytime light to the second floor bedrooms and adds a bit a architectural flair to the house as a whole.

I attended a Christmas party in this home several years ago. I recall that the master bedroom suite (above) included a mini living area as well. This room is huge and has lots of space for lounging or computing or whatever you do in your bedroom besides sleeping.

French doors open from the master suite onto the loggia that wraps the rear portion of this home. The owner has a private area away from the pool but close enough to keep an eye on the kids or grand kids. Oh, and did you notice there is a real pool and not a pretend pool?

I think this home might make a very good vacation rental.  The separation between the main floor master suite and the two upstairs bedrooms provides privacy. A family would have good separation between the parents and other family members. Or two or three couples traveling together would have the same separation. The issue then becomes who gets the big sexy master suite. The house is located just two blocks from Duval Street. The photo above shows the corner of Amelia and Duval Street - two blocks from this home. 310 Amelia Street is located within easy walking distance to Ft. Zach Taylor State Park and Beach or the South Beach at the end of Duval Street. LaTeDa, Banana Cafe, and Denny's are all within a couple blocks from Amelia. The rest of Old Town Key West is within an easy walk of pedicab ride.  Tourists will love it.

CLICK HERE to view the rest of the photos I took of this new listing.  After you have looked at the photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up an appointment to see 310 Amelia Street. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.  Let me help you find your place in Paradise.