1117 Watson Street - Old Town - Key West

Just Listed, but not by me, 1117 Watson Street in Old Town Key West. You have seen this same house on my blog a couple of times over the years.  But you have not seen it the way it looks now because the house has been totally updated and give a new houseanality. 

I searched the Historic Sanborn Maps to see if I could determine when the cigar maker cottage was built. The first map dates back to 1889 and it shows houses that existed as of that date.  1117 Watson Street was on that map except back then it was numbered 211 Watson Street.  I am making an assumption here that the number 211 Watson was given because Watson Street began at Division Avenue, which is now known as Truman Avenue.  This house is in the second block of Watson Street. In looking at the map I learned that numerous cigar numerous other cigar maker cottages fronted on to Watson Street while others ran perpendicular east from Watson.  In the 1912 map a wide space just south of the adjacent house was identified as "On Set Court".  That space today is where the shared pool in the Conch Grove Compound is located.

I then dug down into my old shoebox and found a photo of 1117 Watson Street that was taken in 1965. It is shown immediately below. I created a new image that shows the same house nearly fifty years apart. Take a look at all the changes.

This visage is now "history". The entry door is reversed to the south side and provides real access once again.

 If you read about this house before or if you saw it when it was previously listed, you may remember that the previous owners used the front room as the bedroom. While the original entry door stayed in place on the left side of the front porch, the actual entry to the house was located on the south side of the house. A fair amount of real estate was used to create a stairway to a second level loft that was very cramped and that had no practical utility. It was claustrophobic!  Seriously, detective Monk would have flipped out over the cramped space.  The current owner removed the loft sleeping area and stairway. The entry was taken back to the front porch but reversed to the south side.

The above photo shows the front entry door on the left. The single bedroom is on the right. There is a new kitchen, updated interiors, new bath, and a totally new aura to this 680 sq ft one bedroom cigar maker cottage.

The Conch Grove Compound is an assemblage of twelve homes many of which were original cigar maker cottages that were updated by different owners over the years. James Kirkwood (co-author of A Chorus Line) and the late David Kaufelt were among the original compound owners.  All homes share the large and sunny pool and park-like common areas.  The monthly association fee is $200 which covers common area and pool maintenance. 

CLICK HERE to view the Key West Association of Realtors mls datasheet and listing photos of 1117 Watson Street.  This one bedroom one bath cigar maker's cottage is offered at $675,000.  Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing.I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.  Instead of meeting with architects, builders, and decorators, spend this summer by the big sunny pool getting the tan of your life.

918 Southard Street # 204 - Old Town - Key West

Just listed by Preferred Properties, that is where I work but this is not my listing, 918 Southard Street Unit #204 in Southard Square Condominiums. The listing Realtor describes the property like this:

"Unique two bedroom two bath condo with a tree house living style in Old Town Key West, within walking distance of wonderful restaurants, wild Duval Street and the historic Seaport. The residence's interior views lush, tropical gardens, a sparkling pool and the condo's private club house. This two-story home is an open floor plan with natural skylighting and a spiral staircase. The guest bedroom and bath is located on the living level. Upstairs is the master suite with bath, separate sitting area for reading or napping, and a second balcony. Other amenities include central air, a washer/dryer closet, storm shutters and a total sense of security, coming and going via off-street parking with lighted entrances and exits. Come take a look today!"

Southard Square Condominiums was built in 1987. I remember hearing that part of the 918 Southard building was the former location of the De Poo Hospital. I dug down into the bottom of my old shoebox and found a photo of the De Poo Hospital that was taken in 1965.  Then I found another photo of 912 Southard which was razed so that the modern condos could be built. I don't think our Historic Architectural Review Commission would allow a similar fate to a historic house today. It is interesting to compare and contrast the two styles of architecture from the 19th and 20th Centuries.  I also took the color photos below which show the "renovated De Poo Hospital" as it looks today and the front of the condo development which would have been the location of the smaller sawtooth house that stood at 912 Southard. (There are several houses with almost identical architectural details as 912 Southard further east on Southard and around the corner on Grinnell Streets.)

918 Southard Street in 1965

912 Southard Street in 1965

Today Southard Square is a stable condominium community with just 16 units most of which are owner occupied. A few units, such as #204, are rented as monthly vacation rentals. The entrances to  Unit # 204 is located just off Griffin Lane which runs perpendicular to Southard midway back from the front entrance to the condominium main entrance. 

The club house or community room

There are just 16 units in this phase at Southard Square. The buildings are each a bit different as are each of the units. No cookie cutter community here. The units share a big beautiful sunny pool plus a nice little club house. A large deck wraps around  the club house allowing residents to follow the sun or stay in the shade. Each unit has an assigned off street parking spot.

Window above is the sitting niche

View from main level balcony off the Living Room

Unit # 204 viewed from across the pool

Unit #204 is located on the second floor of the east building. It has 1200 sq ft of living space on the second floor and third floor combined. The main floor has a guest bedroom and bath located near the front entrance. A hallway leads to the kitchen with extra high ceiling that rises to the roof. The combined living and dining area are at the rear. Sliding doors open onto the covered balcony that overlooks the pool off to west. A beautiful spiral staircase leads to the master bedroom and bath on the third floor. A "bridge" leads from the bedroom area over to a little sitting niche. The bridge looks down onto the kitchen below. A window from the niche also looks down to the kitchen and further into the living area. This place is pretty darned impressive.

View from Master Bedroom Balcony

Master bedroom with French doors that open onto private deck

The "bridge" from bedroom to the sitting niche

The best views, however, are from the decks off the living area and the master bedroom. Unlike some condo complexes (whose names I shall not mention nor infer) with decks that provide no privacy, you can lounge on either deck in your altogether and drink your morning coffee or nurse your favorite adult beverage. The views are so peaceful.

Southard Square Condominium Unit #204 is offered at $680,000. CLICK HERE   to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Or you can CLICK HERE to view MORE pics I took.

Better yet, please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing for you. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

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1317-A Catherine Street - Key West, Florida

1317-A Catherine Street in Key West was recently listed by Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. That is where I work but this is not my listing. However, I had the opportunity to show this home several times over the past couple of weeks while the listing agent was out of town. The people that looked at this home really liked it. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Great little 2/2 Conch cottage with a private pool, comfortable deck area and very lush privacy planting. Nice location for walking to the beach and the White Street restaurants and markets. Parking is on street but generally no problem. It was currently being used as a non-transient vacation rental and has a good history of rentals. Very private with almost no street visibility."

The side yard features a decent sized kidney shaped pool and deck. The grounds are illuminated at night. The south side of the house has an outdoor shower, laundry shed, and storage shed, none of which are visible from the pool or by passers-by on the street. In fact not much of anything about this house is visible from the street. This is not a drive-by listing. You must see the inside to appreciate the size and value of this property.

There home is attached to another unit which is owned by the same owner. There is a firewall between the two units. Each unit has a separate legal descripton  and each unit is owned in fee simple. This is not a condominium.  As the listing agent points out, there are two bedrooms, two baths, a large living area with high ceilings, a dining area with French doors that open out to the covered porch that overlooks the pool. The kitchen is spacious and nicely appointed. 

This home has a successful history as a vacation rental.   This home rented at $5700 per month during season and rents are lower rates during other times of the year. This property is offered at $629,000.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private 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.

715 Frances Street - Quintessential Key West Eyebrow House

The listing Realtor says "715 Frances Street has been featured in Monroe County Tourist Development Council literature as the quintessential Key West home. Its historic authenticity, traditional white picket fence and beautiful landscaping add curb appeal, while its front porch offers sweeping sunset views."

The listing Realtor goes on to describe this eyebrow house this way:

 "Quintessential historic Key West eyebrow house located on prestigious Frances Street features two spacious living areas, three bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and closet space, quality craftsmanship including tastefully finished Dade County Pine walls, new plantation shutters, high-end kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, a downstairs half-bath and inside laundry. 715 Frances Street's 6,000 square-foot lot has a beautiful heated pool, hot tub with waterfall, outdoor shower, lush tropical landscaping and rare off-street parking. This home can be sold with high-end furnishings and accessories (not including artwork and personal items). X Flood Zone / New Shutters."

You can't drive down Frances Street and not notice this house.  It is that damned impressive. It stands out and demands that "You look at me!"  I went back to a prior blog about this property and retrieved a few photos that show how this house has been updated over the years. Each time the new owner left his or her imprint on the continuing evolution of this home.

This home is located across the street from the Key West Cemetery. That's a killer of many-a-sale. But it shouldn't be.  Frances Street is an extra wide street to start with. There is no parking on the opposite side of the street. Sunshine and island breezes illuminate and cool nearby homes which is different than many parts of Old Town where the streets are crammed tight with two story homes and giant trees that restrict light and air circulation. And the neighbors are extra quiet.

This 1792 sq ft home sits on a quite large 5859 sq ft lot. It has three bedrooms (one on the main level when climbing the stairs might become a challenge), three full and one-half baths, a new kitchen, large semi-formal living room and newly recreated solarium that overlooks the beautiful pool and gardens. We Key Westers spend as much time outside as we can. The newly landscaped garden is truly understated elegance.

Imagine sitting poolside at night having cocktails or dinner with friends living life to the fullest - in Key West.  CLICK HERE to view more photos of this really great Old Town home.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this home. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a private showing of 715 Frances Street in Key West, Florida where I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.