2 Fletchers Lane Key West ~ One of the Slowest Lanes in Key West

You won't likely find a slower lane in Old Town Key West than Fletchers Lane. The lane is only one block long and dead ends to one of three houses at the end. Fletchers Lane is sandwiched  between Grinnell Street to the east and Margaret Street to the west. The entrance is just off Eaton Street. The lane is populated by only a few houses. Most people have never heard of it because few houses located there ever get offered for sale. 2 Fletchers Lane (not my listing) is your opportunity to purchase a really special property that I consider to be a really good value.

The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Wonderful, turn-key, 2 story Old Town home with beautiful Brazilian cherry floors, custom kitchen cabinets & Dade County pine walls. Obviously built by a ship builder, you can feel the custom woodwork quality throughout. Each bedroom enjoys lots of privacy with a split floor plan plus a guest cottage. Totaling 3 bedrooms & 3.5 baths with a great room that opens completely to the outdoors. Tropical landscaping and new Trex decking surround the heated pool & spa. The third bedroom cottage can double as guest quarters or a bar entertaining area with accordion style windows that open it up completely. Fully fenced for privacy & located between Grinnell & Margaret Streets, you can walk to everything from this unique property."

 The good thing about owning a house on a lane that hardly anybody even knows that it exists is that you probably will not have many drop in guests, Fuller Brush salesmen, or other ne'er do-wells knocking on your door. You probably won't be serenaded after the bars close when locals and tourists find their way back to their homes, apartments, guest houses, or hotels. You'll miss out on lines like "Babe I love you!" or "I hate you! Get out of my life!".

As frequent readers know the Key West mls is auto-filled with data that comes from the Monroe County Property Appraiser database. Unfortunately, the historic property records were destroyed in the great fire many years ago. Members of the WPA recreated (with an emphasis on the word created) those records were approximations of when many of our old homes were built - including the home at 2 Fletchers Lane which the official record says was built in 1924.  I looked at the Sanborn Fire Maps for Key West and found what I believe to be this property which I have marked with an "X" on the map below. That map was made in 1890. It shows the house and rear cottage existed prior to 1899. You will note that the house appears to be placed on an angle.  That was not uncommon in olden days. Some houses were not placed at perfect right angles to the lot or the lot.  Some houses are still sit like that. This house has been re-situated so that it now sits parallel with the lane.

I dug into the old shoebox and found a photo of 2 Fletchers Lane taken back in 1965. Compare that with the photo which I recently took..

The black and white photo shows 'scuttles' located on the roof. Scuttles are vents used in historic construction that allowed warm air to vent out through the roof..  The first house I sold in Key West was built around 1824. It had scuttles. I will never forget that house because of its simple but beautiful construction. Note also that the front porch still functions as such, but the main entrance has been relocated just past the gated side entrance which is barely visible in the above photo. The photo below shows the gated entry and the entry to the home.

The main living area is located near the rear of the home.  The kitchen, dining, and living areas form one great room which has sets of French doors on two sides that provide ample daytime light that is filtered by the palms and tropical foliage on this and nearby properties.  The Brazilian cherry floors, the extensive wood trim, and the custom cabinets in the kitchen make the main floor living space extra cozy and comfortable.

The ceiling in the living room soars two stories high.  Your guests will be amazed to see a second floor glass walkway that extends from the master bedroom area to second floor rear balcony that overlooks the pool and guest cottage to the rear. This is an ingenious mix of old school charm with contemporary design.   

There are two bedrooms on the second floor. The master suite is located at the rear of the house. The space is evenly divided between sleeping area, sitting area, dressing room, bath and that incredible glass walkway and rear balcony.   

What must have been the original living room when this home was first built is now used as an office. A full bath is located to the rear of the office. A second stairway provides access to the second floor front bedroom.

The front porch is still a fine place for sitting and watching - pretty much of nothing. Only a few other homes share this tiny little lane. There is no off street parking here. You can drive your car up the lane to unload groceries and things. But you will need to park on nearby Eaton or Grinnell Street. The listing Realtor tells me the owners have parked in the same spot on Eaton Street for as long as they have owned this house.

I don't know if the guest cottage is the same cottage shown on the old Sanborn map or if it was built new. But I know its current configuration is pure genius. I have never seen any structure like this in Key West. You enter the cottage by stepping down a step from the pool deck level into this exquisite space. The cottage almost feels like a cabin in the woods except it is located in Key West, Florida! Windows on two sides open out from the bar to the pool where you and your guests can lounge in luxury. Please CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this home that is offered for sale at $926,000 or $494 per sq ft. If you want a slice of Old Key West that has been updated and tweaked just ever so nicely, this may be the place you have been looking for.


CLICK HERE to view more photos which I took of this really charming Key West property. But better than that, 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. This is a truly incredible home. Don't miss this. 

1025 Von Phister Street - Key West - Open House

OPEN HOUSE

1025 Von Phister Street  ~  Casa Marina Area

Sunday ~ April 27th

12:00 to 3:00

3B Nassau Lane, Key West, Florida - Just Listed

Just listed, but not by me, 3B Nassau Lane in Old Town Key West. 

3 Nassau Lane - Old Town Key West

The new listing at 3 B Nassau Lane in Old Town Key West ought to excite buyers who want an affordable single family house in a great location - the asking price is just $399,000. The listing Realtor describes the listing like this:

"The definition of Key Westy. Quaint, comfortable, in the most strategic location for one that wants to walk to all the good places. This home comes turn key, completely furnished and you'll agree it is fashionably impressive. Look no further."

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I found the photo above taken in 1965 of 3B Nassau Lane.  I added an arrow to distinguish it from its neighbor, 3A.  A recent owner did significant renewal to this little gem. The house is move in ready.  All you have to do is bring your toothbrush because it is offered fully furnished as well.

I searched the historic Sanborn Fire Maps and learned that this house was in the 1892 edition and that Nassau Lane had been previously been called Cologne Lane. 

This comfy cottage home would make a great second home for a buyer that wants an inexpensive Key West getaway.  The cottage has been tweaked to near perfection. There is a welcoming front porch followed by the comfortable living area, kitchen and then the bedroom. This place has all of the creature comforts buyers expect neatly tucked into a compact space of 468 square feet. The outdoor area is just 20' x 48' (940 sq ft) which means there is just enough outdoor space to enjoy while you are here but not enough garden to cause you maintenance pains when you are back up north.

3B Nassau Lane is 'done', so a new owner can move in and not worry about having to renovate or spend more money.  Everything inside and outside looks pristine. Smaller homes are usually less expensive to maintain and to insure than larger properties. If you anticipate having a lot guests, there is a nearby guesthouse at the corner of Fleming Street. If you think about it, it would be cheaper to put your friends and relatives up in a guesthouse for a week than it would be to spend an extra couple of hundred thousand dollars to buy a place with a second bedroom for occasional use. 

CLICK HERE  to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and to view listing photos of this property. Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a showing before this place is gone. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

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1112 Elgin Lane - Old Town - Key West

It's kind of hard to believe the lovely top photo is the same house as shown in the black and white photo immediately below. But it is.  The two photos were snapped about 49 years apart in time. What a difference half a century can make. The house is located at 1112 Elgin Lane in Key West, Florida and it is offered for sale at the asking price of $895,000 or $658 per sq ft for this 1360 sq ft house that sits on a 25.5' X 78' lot (2022 sq ft) in the Old Town area of Key West. 

I searched the historic Sanborn Fire Maps to see if I could determine when the house was built. Elgin Lane currently runs two blocks from White Street to Grinnell Street where it ends. The 1889 edition did not show any houses on the (current 1100 block portion of the lane nor did it even show the lane. The Frances Street to Grinnell Street was then called Hidalgo Alley. The 1889 edition did show nearby houses on both Frances and Fleming Streets. The 1892 edition showed showed the lane with "letters" for addresses as opposed to numbers. Elgin Street was shown on the map for the block running from Frances to Grinnell.  A separate lane that runs from White Street and ends at the rear of 1112 Elgin Lane was then called Beach Court although there was no nearby beach. Beach Court is now called Stickney Lane. The 1899 edition clearly showed an empty lot between 1110 and 1114 Elgin Street.  It was not until the 1912 edition that 1112 Elgin Lane was included in the map.  So we know that 1112 Elgin Lane was built sometime between 1899 and 1912. The porch enclosure is gone from the house but a second story addition was added. The porch was restored and some gingerbread added to give the house some architectural details that do not appear in similar houses located on the lane. I'm not complaining - just stating what existed in the older photos I found.

When you walk down the lane and first see 1112 Elgin Lane you immediately sense that this is a house that love built. The place is so damned cute.  It is the kind of house potential owners dream of owning because it embodies the style and character so many desire. The attention to detail is evident before you cross the threshold. Once inside you are treated to glorious Dade County Pine walls everywhere.  There are no walls with drywall or plaster in this house.  Even the ceilings are pine. The second room off the front sitting room is used as a combination guest bedroom and office. The kitchen follows at the back of the house. The custom made cabinets continue the rich wood motif of the rest of this home. The tall and slender Sub Zero refrigerator disappears in the kitchen. 

A window above the kitchen sink looks out to the rear garden.The listing Realtor, not me, suggested that a new owner might remove the carport and fence to provide space for pool. Stickney Lane ends in the grass just to the left of the above photo where a new owner might park his or her car.

The master suite occupies the entire second floor. Dormers on the east side of the space provide both light and additional living space that makes this floor much more livable. This floor is quite large and open as opposed to many houses I have seen. This space works.

The Historic Key West Seaport is two blocks to the north. There you will find Harpoon Harry's, just about favorite spot for breakfast or a good old fashioned real cheeseburger. The Schooner Warf Bar is right on the waterfront as are Turtle Kraals and the Half Shell Raw Bar. Coles Peace Bakery (where you can get some great artisan bread and incredible sandwiches) is a block away on Eaton Street. If you run out of bread, milk, or or need an aspirin, BLOSSOMS is located at the end of  Elgin Lane on White Street. Duval Street is five minutes to the west. Everything a man (or woman) could want in life are all located within a five minute walk from the house. (Photos of the house are used with permission of Doug Mayberry Real Estate and Michael A. Philip.)

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1112 Elgin Lane.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of this cute Key West property.  I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

112 Hutchinson Lane - Key West - Price Reduction

The asking price on 112 Hutchinson Lane in the Bahama Village area of Key West was just reduced to $399,000. If you are a potential buyer looking for a reasonably priced fixer, this historic cottage may be the property you have been hoping to find

I checked the old Sanborn Fire Maps of Key West to see if I could determine the approximate date this house was built.  Frequent readers know that our county property records were destroyed in the great fire many years ago. During the Depression workers from the Works Project Administration reconstructed property records and unfortunately attributed erroneous "construction" dates.  I went to the historic 1892 Sanborn Fire Map.  Houses in this immediate area are clearly shown on that map but the lane ws not given a name. No matter, we can tell by looking at the black and white photo below which was taken in 1965 that the house was ancient then. Compare the way it looked then to the way it looks today. I wish people aged as gracefully.  Really, I do.

According to the Monroe County Property Appraiser records the house is 720 sq ft and sits on a 43.5' x 66' (2872 sq ft) lot midway down one of the slowest lanes in Key West. Mind you this lane is only one block long and dead-ends at the end where a small compound of four homes share a pool.  More than half of the homes on this little lane have been updated.

This house has one of the wider lots which would probably allow for the reduction of the current two car off street parking spots into just one. That might provide space for the addition of a swimming pool running toward the rear of the lot.The house itself would benefit from an expansion that would include a new kitchen, new bath, new windows with shutters, etc. Even if a a new owner spent $400,000 you might end up with more square footage, a larger lot, a pool and off street parking for less than you would pay for the same size property on the opposite side of Duval Street.

The house itself is a typical cigar maker cottage with the door on the left. A hallway runs from front to rear along the south wall.  The first two rooms are bedrooms. The kitchen and bath are at the rear.  The kitchen is small. The bath was updated in 2012 and 2013. The exterior siding is board and batten and looks to be in good condition.

Hutchinson Lane is located three blocks west of Duval Street. Truman Avenue is a one way street heading west toward the new Truman Waterfront park which is very slowly going to be built.  Olivia Street is a one way street heading east from the waterfront park past Duval and through Old Town where it ends at Eisenhower Drive. This neighborhood is mostly residential with the exception of several restaurants located near the corner of Petronia and Thomas Street. Blue Heaven is probably the most famous restaurant there.  The Ft Zach Taylor State Park and Beach are within walking distance. When the new Truman waterfront park is completed, residents of Hutchinson Lane can walk there in less than five minutes. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this property. I took more exterior photos of the house and the block which you can see if  you CLICK HERE. Better than looking at photos, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing of this little cigar maker cottage. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. 

1025 Von Phister Street - Key West - OPEN HOUSE - Easter Sunday

OPEN HOUSE

Easter Sunday

1025 Von Phister Street  ~  Casa Marina Area

12:00 to 3:00