809 Eaton Street - Historic Old Town Luxury Residence - Key West - Lower Price

809 Eaton Street in Key West dates back to circa 1840 when it was built for Henry Lowe. The house was totally restored and enlarged in 2005 when it was featured in the Old Island Foundation House Tour.  Today this home is one of the finest examples of a Bahamian styled home located in the Old Town Historic District.

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 and had tall ceilings and large windows with Bahama shutters which permitted air to circulate through the house to provide 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. Nearly half a century later the renovated home looks as prominent as ever (color photo below).

I recently found a photo of 809 Eaton Street that was taken in the 1960's from the Island City House located across the street. The outline of a man standing on the porch reminded me of Freddy in the Nightmare on Elm Street. I took a photo from the same location just to prove a point that what was once is often still the same on our little island where historic homes are preserved - not destroyed.

The listing Realtor at Preferred Properties, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 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 long rectangular 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 in life 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 more photos of this incredible Key West property.

This is a very large house with an extra large guest cottage. You can see it has a great outdoor entertaining area with an extra large sunny pool. The property is located two blocks south of the Historic Key West Seaport and only four blocks from Duval Street. This place would make an incredible vacation rental.

Nearby Key West Seafood Market

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos of this special Key West home which is now offered at $2,295,000. 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.

201 Golf Club Drive - Key West, Florida

Just about every time I write about homes located in The Sanctuary at the Key West Golf Club I usually include the words "value" or "bargain".  And so it is this time as I write about 201 Golf Club Drive. This 1600 sq ft three bedroom, two and one-half bath home is in tip-top condition.  There is a covered off street parking spot plus space for a second vehicle. A white picket fence and trellis provide just enough privacy from the street which loops around this area.

This home has first and second floor porches at both the front and rear.  The main floor is set up with a large kitchen with breakfast bar that opens out to the dining area and living room. There is a half bath located under the staircase up that leads up to the three bedrooms on the second floor. And there is a bonus room located just off the living room which can be used as an office, den, or maybe a guest room. French doors open from the living room out to the large rear veranda with steps that lead down to the private pool and bricked rear garden.  A gate at the rear leads out past the trees onto the golf cart lane that traverses the rear of the houses.

The rear veranda is quite spacious and offers a sophisticated perch to oversee the pool and rear garden area. Note the photo which shows a close-up of the shutters which are located on each window and door of this home. (Not all houses have these very valuable assets which will get you a 30% discount on windstorm insurance.)

The master bedroom with en-suite bath and covered second floor rear porch make this space so much more than just a place to sleep. Imagine waking up in the morning and sitting on the back porch as the birds and wildlife awake as well. Watch the sun rays move across the palms as dawn turns to daytime. At night sip a cocktail as the sun sets. Then walk down to your pool for a late night dip and return to bed for a great night sleep. Repeat each day!  You won't have to go back up north. You will be living your dream.

Two guest bedrooms are located on the front side of the second floor. Each bedroom has a vaulted ceiling (just like the master suite) and each room has a front door that opens out to the front second floor porch that overlooks Golf Club Drive. These two bedrooms share a bath off the hallway.

The Key West Golf Club Community includes two pools, one which is huge, and the use of an on-site fitness center. It's smallish but it's there. The community pools and fitness center will provide diversions for your family and guests. The adjacent golf course is public and within a couple of minute walk.

This move-in ready home is offered at $659,000. It is vacant and ready for a new owner. All furniture and furnishings (except for a couple of pieces of art) may be purchased separate from the real estate.  Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to set up a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

417 Catherine St. - Old Town - Key West

The listing Realtor, not me, describes 421 Catherine Street in Old Town Key West as a

"Charming and meticulously renovated 2 bedroom 2.5 bath home in Old Town Key West. The home has a breezy front porch for relaxing and watching the interesting neighborhood stroll past. The interior is impeccable with cherry floors, and vaulted ceilings. There is a bedroom and bath on the first floor, top of the line kitchen, half bath,surround sound system, and living room which opens through French doors to the private back yard. There is a master bedroom and bath with walk-in closet and a balcony on the second floor. New roof and hurricane shutters."

The house did not always look as good as it does today. I dug into my old shoebox and found a photo taken nearly 50 years ago. The notation on the back of the photo says the house was built around 1889.

This original cigar maker cottage was enlarged by adding a two story addition at the rear that expanded interior living space. Some original walls were removed. This permitted the builder to create living spaces that better suit the way we live our lives today. The historic entry was retained.  The classic 'shot gun' style entry hallway was retained. But now the entry hallway is now vaulted and provides a more dramatic and aesthetic entry into the home.  Wainscoting and wall sconces were added to the hallway.  Pocket doors were added to the first floor bedroom. The adjacent bath doubles as guest bath as well.

As you view the photos you will see new wood floors and the introduction of new wood wainscoting throughout much of the house. All new wood ceilings are another custom feature introduced in the renovation. The wood adds such a warm feeling and unification to this home. This renovation was done by the prior owner who was a general contractor who renovated for his own personal use.  Consider the quality added when compared to someone who does a quick flip to make money. That's not suggesting that all flips are not good nor that all contractors do quality jobs on their own homes. (I saw a contractor's home on a recent Realtor caravan that was laughable. The guy used leftover materials from various jobs, and it showed. This home is the 180 degree opposite.)

The main living area is located in the recent rear addition which includes the kitchen, dining area, and living room. The spaces are a bit compact as compared to larger homes, but the spaces are neatly crafted and provide abundant utility.  A half-bath is located off the living area and a mini-bar is located adjacent to the French doors that open out to the rear deck and garden where there is space for a private pool. A balcony off the second floor master bedroom looks down to where the pool would be located. (There is sufficinet space on tide yard for equipment to dig out space for a new pool.)

The master bedroom and bath occupy the entire second floor where there is also a large closet. This home has actual space to be used for full time living.  The bath is large unlike a lot of places I have seen.

421 Catherine Street is located one-half block west of Duval Street and a few block walk to South Beach. La Te Da, the Banana Cafe, and other eateries, art galleries, and shops are within a few minute stroll. This house would make a great monthly vacation rental. And since the home is in such great condition, you won't have to spend money to fix broken things.  CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on this home. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to scheule 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.