1022 Roberts Lane, Key West - Charming Little Cottage on a Quiet Old Town Lane

I often write about the virtues of owning a home on one of the slow lanes of Key West. These homes are often small cottages tucked away from public view on lanes that have limited public access. Some people view the prospect of this much seclusion as desirable while others prefer to see people walking by.  After you take a look at 1022 Roberts Lane in Key West, you may opt-in to opt-out of people watching. Please take a few moments as I share with you this lovely little cottage offered for sale at $750,000. The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Nestled at the end of a tranquil Old Town lane, this unforgettable island style cottage welcomes you to paradise. Artisan-crafted features abound in this meticulously renovated 1 bedroom/1.5 bath home. Entering to inviting open-plan living, you will be captivated by the spacious kitchen's one-of-a-kind copper countertops and Dade County Pine bar. The living room's beautiful teak floors and soaring bamboo ceiling echo South Pacific dreams. A Balinese inspired powder room opens to a sundeck and outdoor shower. Beams grace the ceiling of the serene master bedroom. The gorgeous light-filled master bath showcases a double vanity and shower. Overlooking the tropical garden, the leisurely side porch is a Key West dream come true."

One of the virtues of living on a small dead-end lane like Roberts Lane is that you will never have a trolley car or Conch Train traveling down the street with the loudspeaker blaring the same story about whoever used to live in your house day after day after day. Your home probably won't end up on Instagram or YouTube either. That's because the lane is too narrow for automobiles and dead-ends a few feet from the front entry gate to this home. Few tourists and fewer locals will wander down the street to take photos.

In researching the history of this house I learned that Roberts Lane is also known as Cates Lane. Earlier today I found an online reference to another house on this same lane identified as being located on Cates Lane.  In 1980 Mr. C.W. (Billy) Pinder created a pamphlet for the City of Key West fire department which described how to find all of the lanes in Key West. Pinder identified five houses on this dead-end block numbered 608, 610, 614, 1022, and 1025 Roberts Lane. I don't know how they arrived at that odd numbering system. The Historic Sanborn Fire Maps identify Roberts Lane as Darwin Ct and not as Cates or Roberts. I was happy, however, to see the 1899 Sanborn Map shows all five houses or cottages as existing as of 1899. (The 1892 map does not show any houses this block but it shows houses on surrounding blocks. My conclusion is that the houses probably existed prior to 1892 but the cartographer omitted them for some reason.)

 I went to The Streets of Key West: A History Through Street Names written by J. Wills Burke who offered three different theories as to which of three Roberts the lane was named after. Burke concluded he could not conclude any specific person.

French doors at the front open into this magic little home. It's amazing how much house was packed into the 708 square foot space. The owners took down old walls and opened the combined kitchen and living areas into a common area that is anything but common! Wow! And Wow again! The teak floors capture your attention as you enter the home but milli-seconds later the wood beamed kitchen ceiling calls for your attention as well. Then the soaring bamboo ceiling in the living area shouts out "look at me!"

This house awes at first sight and does not stop as you move from room to room and continues to the outdoor areas.  The listing agent told me the owners took this house down to the bone and rebuilt everything over a period of about five years. This was a labor of love and it shows. He said so much of the original house was in bad shape that the owners saved what little they could and rebuilt everything from the ground up to the roof. The removed and saved as much of the Dade County Pine as possible and replaced those wall with new batten walls. The windows, doors, trim, and so on are all new - not salvaged, caulked, sanded, and painted.  So even though this place looks incredible, it is functionally new and will have years of  use ahead. Instead of fixing an old hovel, the new owner could be writing the next great American novel.

This house is unique. I know that word is over used, but it's truly one-of-a-kind. The salvaged Dade County Pine was used to create the breakfast bar counter-top. You won't find copper counter-tops like this at Home Depot or any high priced kitchen design stored. The hanging light fixtures were crafted from finds the owners made. Piece by piece the owners imparted their design aesthetic throughout this home.

This home has but one bedroom. The low wood beamed ceilings compact the space into such a cozy cocoon. The master bath is opulent by comparison. The shower will accommodate two people at one time. The owner Incorporated a long window just above eye level in the shower and put three more windows over the dual vanities. The also installed a door with opaque inset glass which opens out to the rear (not shown). The guest bath (above) also has a door that opens out to the east side of the house where there is an outdoor shower located next to the laundry.

I am not being flip as I write this (well, maybe a little). God made hotels for the occasional guest. A new owner could have a sleeper sofa in the living room which could provide a place for someone who must stay in the house as opposed to a hotel room.  

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

5 Fletchers Lane, Key West - Life on one of our Precious Slow Lanes

I found the above photo of 5 Fletchers Lane with the notation that the boy sitting on the front porch of Grandma's house was James. The photo was taken in 1965. The house first appeared in the Historic Sanborn Fire Map dated 1889. The narrow lane was not given a name until the 1912 map when it was arbitrarily called Amplex Ct. I don't know when Amplex Ct became Fletchers Lane but I do know it was before 1965. Today the front of the house looks nothing like it did just fifty-one years ago. But it is the same house along with the  major two story addition to the right..

The house sits at the far end of Fletchers Lane which is located about 100 feet west of the corner of Eaton Street. While the lane is narrow, you can drive an auto to this house which has off street parking. Several really charming homes line either side of the lane about half of which front on Grinnell Street. If you are the type of buyer who values privacy, this may be the home of your dreams.

 The listing Realtor describes this home this way:

"Luxurious & Elegant Historic Home on one of the most desirable lanes in Old Town Key West. The perfect location for walking to the Seaport or Duval Street, The Old Town Bakery and 5 Brothers. Situated at the end of a quiet lane on a lush tropical lot, this 4 bedroom home underwent complete renovation and additions in 2007. High ceilings, hardwood floors, bright & airy kitchen with open floor plan overlooking tropical yard and inviting pool. The original historic home has been made into a beautiful first floor Master suite. The property features vaulted ceilings, 2 large guest bedrooms plus a wonderful guest cottage providing comfort and privacy for you and your guests. Ample off street parking, brick patio for entertaining, and a central Old Town location make this the Quintessential Luxury Oasis in Old Town Key West."

You enter the new addition to 5 Fletchers Lane off a traditional covered front porch. While it looks old, it's relatively still new. The interiors are anything but old. While the open living space had many traditional elements, the spaces are open and have multiple functions. And they are damned pretty!
The pool view shows the back of the new addition plus the guest cottage. The original house is almost hidden behind the guest cottage. That space is now the master suite shown with the white iron bed. The guest cottage is shown just above. The problem with owning such a sweet place like this is that your guests won't want to leave. CLICK HERE to view more photos of this home.

5 Fletchers Lane is a 2352 sq ft home. That's really large for a home in Old Town. It has four bedrooms with three and one-half baths. The pool is long and narrow and gets sunshine. The second floor rear deck provides space for natural sunbathing because nobody can see up there. This home would make a great vacation rental when the owner is not in town. 

The new 24 Hour Fitness just opened a block away on Caroline Street at the Historic Key West Seaport. After you or your guests have worked off the calories from the day before, you or they can stop by Harpoon Harry's and load up new ones. Duval Street is just a couple of blocks further to the west. Your guests will love you for buying a place that is tucked away on one of the slow lanes of Key West but which is so close to everything that is so much fun.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 5 Fletchers Lane that is offered at $1,699,000. 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.

908 18th Terrace, Key West - High End Renovation

908 18th Terrace in Key West is describe by the listing agent as:

"Exceptional high-end renovation with contemporary charm and family-friendly design. Open 1405-sq ft floor plan includes living and dining areas and chef's kitchen flanked by impressive king master with walkout to private patio, massive en-suite, walk-in closet. Two bedrooms and second full bathroom on opposite side. Full laundry utility room with walkout. Floors are low-maintenance ceramic throughout. Beautifully landscaped 6069-sq ft property includes three entertaining areas. Access from kitchen to large, custom canvas awning-covered patio. Bonus utility building perfect for future pool or spa off master wing. New Kitchen Aid appliances, roof, electric, under-ground wiring, plumbing, impact windows and doors, fencing. Covered off-street parking. Desirable utility easement with side yard access. Corner lot landscaped, fenced for privacy. Welcoming family home with space inside and out or use both bedrooms for quiet home office, personal fitness center or craft room." 

I was thoroughly impressed by this 21st Century renovation to a mid-century modern home originally built in 1963. The updated house looks nothing like the original house. The old chain link fence is gone. Today the 60' X 102' lot is framed by low lying The original windows and doors were replaced by new impact glass which will significantly reduced wind storm insurance costs. The old chain link fence and pea-rock landscaping were replaced with low lying hedges and a minimalist privacy fence.  There is a new metal roof atop the freshly painted white exterior. The total effect is sophisticated  elegance. The interiors are painted white throughout the house which is divided into four living spaces. The frosted glass main entry door opens into the open living living area. The kitchen features quartz counter tops plus an island for dining. A new window was added to provide a view of the outside just above the kitchen sink. The former kitchen was painted red and even though the old cabinets were white, that kitchen came off as oppressively dark. The new space is vibrant by contrast.

The master bedroom with huge en-suite bath and walk-in closet are located to the right side of the living area. This space is so much more than it was before. It is really bright and cheery. The bedroom area has a vaulted ceiling. New windows were added just below the ceiling to add light to the space but provide privacy at the same time. Remember the old ceramic tiles used in mid-century homes? They have been replaced by subtle porcelain tiles. A sleek new window was added to the extra large shower pictured immediately above. The light is reflect in the mirrors opposite above the dual sinks. 

There are two more bedrooms with this house plus the stand alone cottage at the rear which has also been updated. The cottage would be the perfect spot for the brother-in-law who comes to stay for a week but ends up staying for months. He can enter off the front and walk to the side and never have to enter the house. There is room for a pool as well.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and more photos of this really clean and attractive home that is offered for sale at $749,000 which is the just appraised value. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to set up a private showing.I am a buyers agent a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. If you are a local buyer, you already know this is a great family neighborhood with locals who have lived in this area for generations. The home is located near Key West shopping centers and schools.