901 Washington Street - Casa Marina Mid-Century Reduxe

Loyal Readers of my blog (Thank You, All!) know that I live in the Casa Marina area of Key West.  I love the area and have never regretted leaving Old Town nineteen years ago to move to the Casa Marina.  For many years I would ride my bike west past 901 Washington Street on my may to the Club Body Tech when it was located at Duval Square. I remember remarking to myself how out of place the house looked amid all the other lushly landscaped homes in the area. I dug into the old shoebox and found a photo of 901 Washington Street as it appeared in 1965 (black and white photo above). The old chain link fence and stark landscaping (or lack of any landscaping) contrasted with swaying palms and lush tropical foliage that envelopes the south end of the island.  Then around 2003 a new owner began remodeling the house that was originally constructed in 1958. The entire house was redone on the inside and outside. A pool and garden were added.  A privacy wall was built  - peering eyes like mine were no longer able to peer. That would be the end of the story on most properties were an expensive renovation was done, but that was not the case here.

The owner who did the 2003 renovation moved on to a different home, also located in the Casa Marina area.  The new owners of 901 Washington Street recently completed an amazing transformation of what was already a beautiful home.  The newest version of 901 Washington Street is stunning. I do not want to diminish the 2003 renovation. The new incarnation reflects the tastes of the present owners and their designer, David Smith, who transformed this entire house into a work of art. The transformation included the addition of a second floor extension over the original one story front room seen in the black and white photo. New impact windows and doors were added throughout the house. The windows became "more than windows" - they became "picture frames" that focused attention on the beautiful exterior views.

The windows in the original front room were removed. That space became a covered outdoor living area with views of the private garden and pool. A dining pavilion was created off the kitchen, again with windowless openings out to the gardens. Outside pavers are Egyptian limestone; front porch furniture by Dedon.

Two first floor folding doors by Eurowall open the interior living area out to the pool and east gardens. New porcelain tile floors were added throughout most of the house and extend out to the pool area to provide an invisible transition from inside to outside and vice versa. The kitchen counter top was replaced with an amazing slab of agate. This is a look I have never seen before. And it is flawless. Since the building was constructed of concrete, the designer created a network of wires to suspend lights to illuminate the revamped living room.  The dining room chandelier was custom made in New York City by Lindsay Adelman. Light became art. Windows became picture frames. Floors and walls became a showcase to display furniture and objects all of which created a visual sensation that I totally did not expect. I was awed.

The stairway to the second floor morphed into a museum-like space for the display of art. Note the porcelain tiled floors, black framed impact glass windows, drop ceiling, and pin-point light fixtures seamlessly blend together to create a subtle showcase that lures you up the stairs and peeks your curiosity as to what more magic might await you in the bedrooms.

There are two guest rooms each with en-suite baths.  The east bedroom has a picture perfect view of the poolside sculpture by Debra Yates. The specially crafted doors and other design elements flow from room to room, each unique in character, but each a part of a unified whole. Nothing is left to chance.

The west bedroom has a rooftop sundeck where one could catch some rays of our magnificent sun.  The floors in the guest bedrooms are acacia wood.

It is, however, the master suite that just boggles the mind. This space includes a lounge area complete with morning kitchen. The sectional is by Roche Bobois. The walk-in closet has lots of built-in drawers and racks.  The tray ceiling, coved lighting, and natural toned walls and porcelain floors set the stage for entry into the bedroom chamber. All rugs are silk from Rug Company.

The master bed was designed by Minotti. The bed sits in front of an incredible wall tile that was finished in place. The wall looks like ripples of sand turned on its side. It begs to be touched to see what it might be.  Bartel sliding doors in the master bedroom are made of macassar wood. The bathroom rivals an expensive spa at some exotic resort. 

The exterior siding was completely restored. The new natural color contrasts with the black window frames which in turn dramatically contrast with the naturally occurring colors of the sky and tropical foliage.

 901 Washington Street is offered at $3,000,000 by Preferred Properties Key West.
CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of 901 Washington Street located in the Casa Marina area of Key West.  If you are looking to buy a home in the Casa Marina area or any place else in Key West, please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642  or by email at kw1101v@aol.com to schedule a showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1514 Petronia Street, Key West - Former Model Home at The Meadows of Key West

Just Listed by yours truly, 1514 Petronia Street, Key West. While this stunning home may look old, it is anything but old. Every detail of this former model home at The Meadows of Key West is done with style, function, and cost-saving ownership in mind.  The home was built new in 2008 and offers 1717 sq ft of luxurious living behind a white picket fence on a street of beautiful homes.  No need to worry about the neighbors on this block. The Garrison Bight Marina is just a stone's throw to the east - it can even be seen from the master bedroom. Old Town is within walking or biking distance.

The home at 1514 Petronia Street is part of The Meadows Condominium Association which is land based association comprised of eight homes. Each home is located on a fee simple lot. The association exists to provide access to rear carport parking via gated driveway and management of storm water runoff. Each homeowner pays his or her individual property insurance and maintenance expenses. (Wind insurance on this home is just $610 and Harzard is only $1207 because of the quality construction and materials used. Compare those rates to much smaller old houses or larger homes in our area.)

The homes were built with top of the line materials and craftsmanship. This home features soaring 11' ceilings in the living area and kitchen. The living area has an elegant coffered ceiling and built-in media center not available in other homes. The extra high base board and crown molding give this home extra pizazz. The kitchen has top of the line stainless steel appliances (including a full gas range not available in other units), beautiful granite and solid wood cabinets. A two story turret is an adjunct to the kitchen and is configured as a home office. There are lots of windows in the kitchen so your cooking will not be a chore but a dream. Look across the street to the three million dollar estate instead of looking toward a fixer-upper. There is also a wet bar in the living room. The floors on the first floor are travertine marble. The stairway and second floor bedrooms have wood floors. The master bedroom features a second turret which is a great place to relax and read a book or maybe to write one. The ceiling is vaulted so the master bedroom has an especially large feel, yet the turret makes the space so cozy. If you peer through the window to the east you have a partial water view of the Garrison Bight Marina. The master bath includes a double vanity, shower, Jacuzzi tub, separate water closet, and lots and lots of closets. The master bath is just opulent. I challenge you to find any more luxurious bath in Key West for less than $2 million. You won't find one.

Architectural details including crown molding, extra high baseboards, soaring ceilings, top of the line kitchen and bath cabinetry, the finest Kohler bath fixtures, two story porches and solid wood doors. All windows and doors are impact resistant. Hardiboard siding means the exterior is virtually maintenance free. Decorative shutters give the home character and provide filtered views from a couple of rooms. The wood doors on the first and second floor front are massive and of the highest quality. The 8' sliding doors that separate the living area from the pool are hurricane impact resistant to 155 mph that open wide to let the outside become part of the inside. A private gated driveway leads to the carport and a separate entry to the private pool and spa area. Each home is completely fenced and beautifully landscaped. This home is located on a corner lot so it has lots of separation from the other nearby homes. CLICK HERE to view more photos.

Eight foot tall glass doors open out to the sunny heated pool with waterfall and adjacent spa. A lush tropical garden flanks the house on the east side where the owner has installed a potting table. There is even a private outdoor shower hidden amid the flora and fauna.  The other side of the house contains a whole house generator and other mechanical equipment. The carport is accessed via gated private driveway. The carport area includes additional storage. There is a place for everything is this home as compared to some places where you may need to rent a storage locker.

CLICK HERE to view the mls datasheet on 1514 Petronia Street which is offered for sale at  $1,200,000.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this Prime Key West Property. I am the listing agent on this home, and I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

1006 - 1008 Fleming Street Key West - Past Made Perfect!

When I first started selling houses in Key West, I questioned a fellow agent about a new listing. She told me all about the house even though it was just listed that day. I asked how she knew so many details about the property. She said something like "Gary, there are only a couple of hundred houses in Old Town. We keep selling the same houses over and over." Nearly twenty years later I understand exactly what she meant as I now have the same type of memory of prior listings which I have shown (or maybe sold) over my stint as a Realtor.  I have come to learn that most new owners redo some part of a property. So what once was may not be what exists at a later date. And redoing what someone else previously did with flare won't deter a new owner from adding his or her own revision.

Today I am writing about the two homes located at 1006 - 1008 Fleming Street in Key West. Before writing today's blog I searched the Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that both 1006 and 1008 were shown on the 1889 edition.  In 1889 1006 Fleming was identified as 421 Fleming St. and 1008 Fleming was known as 421 1/2 Fleming St. A large cottage sat to the rear of 421 1/2 Fleming.  In 1892 the street identifiers were changed. 421 Fleming became 906 Fleming St and 421 1/2 Fleming became 921 1/2 Fleming St. In the 1912 Sanborn Maps the street identifiers changed one last time. 906 Fleming became 1006 Fleming St and 921 1/2 Fleming became 1008 Fleming St. The cottage was always present but never had a street identifier number.  The Sanborn Maps let us know that both houses were in existence by at least 1889.

1006 Fleming Street as it appeared in 1965

1008 Fleming St as it looked in 1965

I remember showing both houses in 2001 when they were offered as an assemblage for the asking price of $899,000. The houses had been updated with an unimaginative design.  The cabinets and appliances were run of the mill. The bath was ceramic tile. A pool was added but it award amid of "garden" of scraggly plants. Nothing joined the two properties into a cohesive whole. That changed after a new owner undertook a huge renovation that corrected the shortcomings of the prior effort. The renovation was remarkable and later appeared in Metropolitan Home Magazine. End of story, or so I thought.

That owner sold 1006 -1008 Fleming Street a couple of years ago. The property is located in the very heart of Old Town Key West. The new owners undertook their own update which has just been concluded. The three building compound is now offered for sale at $2,900,000. The listing Realtor, not me, describes the property as:

"Exquisitely restored & renovated, this captivating Old Town home on a rare large lot is truly perfect & in mint condition. Enjoy a fabulous great room w/soaring ceilings & a new Heart of Pine wall that completely opens up to pool & lush private gardens. Totaling 4 bdrms/4.5 baths including 2 guest houses. Since these owners purchased this compound they have done nothing but refine every detail of this fabulous property. Upgrades include a generator, privacy wall & gate, sprinkler system, pool retiled & refinished, day kitchen in pool house, & off st pkg for 2, hurricane shutters, security, sound & camera system throughout, new doors, landscaping, window treatments & much more!"

Rear outdoor lounge behind 1006 Fleming St

The prior renovation brought the three buildings into harmony by adding an elevated deck area that connected the two original houses plus a new back addition. One of the flaws in the prior renovation was the lack of privacy.  The entry to the compound is off the driveway that separates the two original houses. The new owners added a privacy wall: privacy issue was resolved. The old house first known as 421 Fleming St (and now as 1006 Fleming St) stands in the same location but is now used as guest cottage. It has a living area with built in book shelves, window seat, and a vaulted ceiling. There is a small day kitchen with sleek under counter SubZero refrigeration and a farmer's sink. The bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and lots of closets. And then there is that luxurious tiled bathroom with antique flare.

The original house at 421 1/2 Fleming St is now a guest bedroom in the significantly expanded main house.  The main house stretches from the east to west lot line boundaries.  The listing Realtor detailed all the updates the current owner added.

Bedroom is now used as a home gym. The kitchen is visible as well.

 

 I noticed two additional and remarkable changes to the property. The original pool and unremarkable garden are now unified with a beautiful deck that seems to flow from inside the main house and now extends to the guest cottage at the back of the property. Previously the cottage was accessed via a stone foot path that began at the edge of the pool apron. Now the deck, pool apron, and walkway to the cottage are one.  The landscaping has been refined. So, too, has been the cottage at the rear. Old foliage at the rear of the cottage was removed. The interiors update and a morning kitchen added. This is now the perfect place for writer, artist, or in-law that wants privacy - but not too much of it. 

Master bedroom is located in new addition behind 1006 Fleming Street

1008 Fleming St is now a guest bedroom

If you saw this house before, you must see it again. The foot print is the same but the details are remarkably different. That does not diminish the prior home. Today's view is more like a time date stamp on a passport. CLICK HERE to view all the photos I took of this remarkable property.

CLICK HERE to view the mls datasheet on 1006-1008 Fleming Street 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.  Who would think two old houses built before 1889 could look as perfect as these. They are past made perfect!