1022 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Potential Casa Marina Renovation Project

1022 Flagler Avenue was just listed by Preferred Properties Key West. This home was originally built in 1958. Today we describe the architectural style as mid-century modern. I dug into my old shoe box and found the photo below which shows the home as it appeared in 1965. Just below the old photo is a new photo that shows how the house and yard look today. The carport has been updated. The yard has more palm trees and tropical foliage and the grass has been replaced with bricks. Not much has changed. The house is super clean and very well cared for. Nothing is broken and the house does not need to be renovated. But unlike houses in the Old Town area where houses cannot be torn down and a new replacement built, this property could be razed or substantially renovated. Will the new owner elect to keep things the way they are or will it be time for change?

Whatever existed in the original backyard has been replaced with a large and sunny pool and deck area. (These photos were taken on a cloudy day, however.) If you have looked at houses in the Old Town area you probably already know that many of those properties have small pools with limited sunshine and possibly neighbors who can look down into the pool area. This is not the case with this property. None of the neighboring homes have views into the pool area and existing trees do not block the sun on this pool or deck. 

As was the case for many mid-century homes, you enter directly into the living room once you pass the threshold. These were simple homes. This home is divided into three sections. The living and dining area are on the right side of the home. The kitchen and laundry room/pantry are located directly behind the living area to the right. The two bedrooms and one bathroom are located on the left side.

The master bedroom is located at the left rear of the home. Two sets of French doors open out to the pool and garden area. The guest bedroom is located at the front with the intervening bathroom providing privacy between the bedroom spaces. Unlike a lot of mid-century homes, these bedrooms are fairly large and provide more than just space for a bed and dresser. Notice also the beautiful Cuban tiles continue into both bedrooms. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

The three block section from White Street to Reynolds Street has some very beautiful and quite expensive homes. Johnson Street is located one block to the south and Casa Marina Court one block further. So while 1022 Flagler Avenue may not need to be renovated, this property might significantly appreciate in value if it were (even if the renovation were done years from now).  A recent example of a renovation (not tear down and build new) was the mid-century house at 904 Flagler Avenue pictured below. I added a photo of the renovated home which looks nothing like the original house which exists somewhere inside the re-make. 

1022 Flagler Avenue is located one block east of the Casa Marina Resort. Higg's Beach and Rest Beach are located two blocks to the south. Up there you will find a segregated dog park to keep puppies from beating up the big dogs, public tennis courts, our new children's playground, Salute on the Beach Restaurant, the White Street Pier, and lots of sand for sunning.  Some people buy memberships at the Casa Marina Club so they can use the fitness center, the private beach, and spa facilities.

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 of this lovely home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find  your place in Paradise.

1719 Ashby, Key West - Just Listed

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1719 Ashby Street which is located near the beaches in Key West, Florida. This ranch style two bedroom (three bath) home has 1332 sq ft of living space, a lush tropical garden, and a pool which is offered at $759,000.

The listing agent describes the property this way:

"Located one block from the Ocean and 5 minutes from downtown Key West. Tropical foliage reveals a true Oasis on one level. Open living/dining opens to a chefs dream kitchen with stainless appliances. Split floor plan with the Master bedroom en suite opening to the lanai and large pool, allowing privacy from your guests. Second bedroom can also be a master consist of a large walk-in closet and laundry room. Great home for outdoor entertaining with a full bath and wet bar off the pool. Off Street parking for one car."

Like many of the homes in this part of Key West, the large lot (51' x 90') is surrounded by a decorative privacy fence.  The fence is obscured in the pool area by tall palm trees and tropical foliage. The pool itself is sunny throughout most of the day.When you your guests feel like some beach action, you'll only need to walk a few blocks to Smathers' Beach where there is almost always something fun going on.

Among the advantages of living in Key West is the ability to go to the beach even if only to walk the dog or get in your morning walk, jog, or bike ride. It's amazing how many people are up at the crack of sunrise to begin their day by the beach or who end the day there. Conversely, some are fortunate enough to walk out to the pool to take a morning or late night dip.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1719 Ashby Street which is offered for sale at $759,000. 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 Key West.

416 Margaret Street, Key West - Beautifully Renovated Old Town Home

The house at 416 Margaret Street is one of the prettiest homes in Old Town. The listing Realtor, not me, describes this Key West home this way:

"Sophistication, Glamour and Style, This Classic Key West Home and Winner of Ceramic Star for it's renovation in 2009 embraces it's Historic Integrity with a Modern Flair. With reclaimed Dade County Pine throughout, impeccable floors, Granite Kitchen, this is an entertainers dream. Being sold TURN KEY with exceptional designer furniture package, the first two Bedrooms and Baths are located on the ground floor while the upstairs has been transformed to a spacious Master Suite, with wet bar and sitting area. Private Pool with covered rear porch coupled with extra wide porch to the front, offers plenty of outdoor space for dining and relaxing. Mature Tropical Landscaping throughout the property. Off street parking in the rear and location in x zone. This is a remarkable home in the Heart of it all, just a few blocks from the Historic Seaport and Duval." 

I get a kick out of showing Key West home like this. It is filled with Dade County Pine throughout. First time lookers usually don't know the significance of this wood so I often provide a short lesson in how our old homes were constructed. Dade County Pine was a variety of Florida wood in abundant supply when the houses in Old Town were built in the middle to late 1800s. The wood provided extra stability to our wood frame houses some of which are two stories tall. The houses were built to move ever-so-little during hurricanes. Since plaster would crack, the pine walls were covered in with a paper-like material called beaver board. Beaver board could be painted and provide the visual affect of plaster. When Key West was re-discovered and renovations to the old houses began, many owners removed the beaver board and exposed the Dade County Pine walls. This home is a perfect example of an historic house where the pine walls are a key element of the design. The crown molding, trim, and baseboards provide a crisp framework for this old house.

The house is laid out with both downstairs bedrooms located at the front of the property.  The living room, dining area, and kitchen are located at the back side of the house. This is typical Key West arrangement for our modern age where public spaces are located at the rear of the house where the rooms open out to rear porches, decks, or pools. The current owner of this home has created a flexible bedroom arrangement, Both ground floor bedrooms have access to the two main level bathrooms.

Although the kitchen is small, the space is totally functional for long term living or for use as a vacation home. Many locals spend the winter months in Key West and the summers some place up north in America. You will notice the kitchen door opens out to the back deck made of Ipe wood. The same Ipe wood is used inside but there it has a gloss finish. Use of the Ipe floors inside and outside creates a wonderful transition between the living spaces which seem to merge as one. The photo immediately above shows the rear gate where the off street parking spot is located on Lopez Lane. There is an outdoor shower located in that pathway as well.

The master bedroom suite takes up the entire second floor. The ceiling follows the roof line of this old house. It's magical. There is a little morning kitchen where the owner can prepare coffee or cocktails. The view across Margaret Street is of an equally beautiful home that sold in 2014 for $2,200,000.  It's not the price that's precious, it is the view!  The bedroom has nice filtered light throughout most of the day.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet on 416 Margaret Street which is offered for sale at $1,475,000. After you have looked and the facts and fotos, 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. Let me help you find your place in Paradise.

1214 Varela Street, Key West - Two for One

Just Listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that is where I work but this is not my listing, 1214 Varela Street and it's cute as can be guest cottage on Knowles Lane. The listing Realtor describes this sophisticated duo this way:

"This exceptional property impresses with a combination of sophistication and elegance coupled with a very high standard of home luxuries. An absolute highlight is opening the front door and looking through the kitchen, dining, living room to the outstanding outdoor living space, surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and a 30 foot glassed tiled pool to the two bedroom two bath guest house. Well-conceived, there are 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in the main house. The master suite on the second level has 2 private terraces, a wall of multiple glass closets and one of the largest bathrooms with a claw foot tub. On the main level there is a bedroom, bath and pantry room adjacent to the massive living space with beautiful built-ins and folding French accordion doors to the outside. Reclaimed Dade County Pine. The guest house backs up to Knowles Lane for privacy from your family or friends."

 As soon as you enter the front door of 1214 Varela Street you sense you are entering into a very beautiful and well planned home. The attention to detail and sophistication is everywhere from the classic Dade County Pine walls and ceiling, the beautiful dark wood floors, the crown moldings and extra tall baseboards. 

There is a main floor bedroom and bath located at the front of the house. As you move forward the kitchen and dining area emerge as does then the living area. The kitchen has top of the line stainless steel appliances, cabinetry, and lighting. You have no idea how many kitchens I have seen where lighting is treated as an after-thought. The new owner of this home will be able to see what is being prepared. The photos above show the tray lights. These can be turned down to create the perfect romantic dining situation or mood for any occasion. French doors at the rear of the great room open out to a covered rear deck area and pool.  The deck continues beyond to the two story guest cottage. You will note the pool and deck are flanked by an alley of tall palms and tropical foliage to create an inviting space to grab that perfect Key West tan.

 The entire second floor of the main house is devoted to the master or mistress of this house. There master bedroom includes private second floor rear balcony that looks down to the pool and guest cottage beyond. The deck is so private you can sunbath al fresco. (Nobody can see.) The bedroom chamber is a big and open area with a vaulted ceiling a bank of windows and a door out to the sundeck. The space includes a sitting area and a more cozy spot for the bed itself. There is a bank of wood doors with glass panels that line the wall of the bedroom and continue on into the master bath. Each closet space is lighted. The bath includes a dual vanity except this one is more like a partner's vanity with sinks opposing each other rather than being side by side. There is a soaking tub and extra large shower with dual rain shower fixtures.

The guest cottage also has been updated. Now there are two bedrooms and two baths, one on each floor. The downstairs portion has a small sitting area and a mini-kitchen where your guests can prepare morning coffee or a late night snack. There is an off street parking space on Knowles Lane.  Your guests can come and go and not interfere in your life. 

The main house and guest house have a combined interior living area of 3100 sq ft and sit on a 6218 sq ft lot which extends all the way through to Knowles Lane (entered from either United Street or Catherine Street).

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls data sheet and listing photos (which are great!). Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of 1214 Varela Street which is offered at $2,685,000. It will be like buying two homes for the price of one. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.