1100 Southard Street, Key West - Hi Brow Eyebrow

The freshly renovated home at 1100 Southard Street is a testament to the vitality of the Key West real estate market which has thrived and progressed since my first visit in 1984. While preparing to write about today's home, I reached down into my old shoebox and found two photos taken of 1100 Southard Street that demonstrate my thesis.

Just prior to young photographer Authur Rothstein assignment to photograph Key West for the WPA in 1938, Key West had reeled from the devastating loss of the railroad due to the Labor Day Hurricane in 1935, the demise the cigar and sponge industry, and the unknown future of the island upon the completion of the Overseas Highway (now called US1). Rothstein's task was to document the state of life on this little island. One of the houses he photographed was 1100 Southard Street shown above. Study the photo just a bit. Longtime readers know this is an "eyebrow house" given that name to describe the design of the roof extending out from the end of the building to rest upon columns. The projection creates both a porch (a place to sit) and protection for the second floor windows which may be left open during rain and wind storms allowing light and air to flow inside the home. Before we had air conditioning, homes were ventilated by natural air flow and shade trees. Rothstein's photos appear throughout my blog from time to time. We are fortunate that the federal government sent him to the Keys to capture a point in time when life was pretty rough here. Rothstein wrote his supervisor shortly before the Overseas Highway was completed when perhaps thousands of tourists would someday make their way to this little island - "I hope the resulting boom and development doesn’t spoil the picturesque beauty of the island nor make the natives lose their friendliness.”

I found a second photo taken nearly 30 years later showing the same view of 1100 Southard Street. We can see the house has changed a bit. Study and see if you can see the differences. Some aluminum shutter salesman must have made a bundle off Key West in the 1950s because there are still a lot of these old clam shell shutters in existence. This house has aluminum shutters on the west side. Someone added wood louvers to the right side of the front porch as a sun shield. Look to the left side which was extended to the edge of the roof overhang. Both photos show the house is elevated up from the ground and is wood construction with wood siding.  I can't verify the first photo shows louver windows but the 1965 photos certainly do. Glass windows were introduced to the house later. The addition to the front was removed, a pool added, and the place became gentrified each time it was improved. The original eyebrow now has pediments above once louvered windows. It looks quite graceful and definitely hi brow.  The current listing Realtor describes the newly renovated home this way:

"Stunning renovation of this Eyebrow style historic home in an ideal Old Town location. The main house with gorgeous addition and a detached guest cottage couple on each side of the pool to create a spacious 5bd/4ba beauty. Virtually every detail of this property has been restored or renovated to create the perfect combination of modern luxuries and historical character. The open staircase has been restored creating a breathtaking architectural focal point. A gourmet kitchen wrapped in windows begs to entertain the open floor plan overlooking sprawling tropical grounds and pool. A ground level master suite boasts a luxurious bathroom with wet room, walk in closet and a door leading to a private garden area. The list of luxuries goes on and on in this rare and precious Old Town home!"

I had not been inside this house for years and once inside I forgot it was an eyebrow house. It certainly did not look like any eyebrow house I had been in. The main living level is a play on open concept living but still has defined living spaces. 

The master bedroom has a vaulted ceiling which makes the space quite dramatic. Barn doors provide privacy in the bath which is a work of art. A guest bedroom is located opposite the front entry.  Barn doors were placed here as well. This space is used as a study at this time.

One of the challenges owner/renovators of eyebrow houses face is how to create a bathroom or bathrooms on the second floor. These homes did not have indoor plumbing when they were built and did not have bathrooms on the second floor. Some eyebrow houses are larger than others. I had to stop and take a serious look well designed this renovator met the challenge of adding a bath. There are bedrooms on either side of the house. The renovator added a bath at the right front of the second floor. A small hallway leads back a few steps to a bedroom.

There are sunny and shady places to layout and sit around the pool which itself is quite large and very sunny. If I were a guest I might opt to stay in the pool side guest cottage, buy a new door lock, and never leave.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and striking listing photos. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private tour of this newly renovated home which can be purchased fully furnished as shown. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Get ready for some hi brow living in this eyebrow house.

4 Fletcher Lane, Key West - an Old Town Treasure

4 Fletcher Lane is one of those charming houses many would-be buyers dream of owning but don't because they don't know the lane exists. Fletcher Lane is located between Margaret and Grinnell Streets and accessed off Eaton Street. The nearest remarkable landmark is the Old Town Bakery.  That's a blessing and a curse as Mr. Monk would say.

"X" always marks the "spot" on treasure maps and so it is that "X" marks the spot where you will find 4 Fletcher Lane on the 1899 Historic Sanborn Fire Map, for it truly is a treasure. I looked in my old shoebox and found the black and white photo below taken more than half a century ago which shows original house at 4 Fletcher Lane before it was renovated and expanded. The Monroe County Property Appraiser records show the property was significantly renovated between 1990 to 1996 when a two story addition and pool were added. Note the house still sits at an angle to front of the lot. The current house has 1556 sq ft of living space and sits on a surprisingly large L-shaped lot of 4866 sq ft. 

Even though the road to this little gem is gravel, the parking space is bricked. The formal entry is now located mid-way toward the rear where a little covered porch opens into the living area.

The entry door is visible at the far rear of the above photo. Note the beams and right angle of the original roof line just east of the door. There are two bedrooms located just to the right which is the original cottage. There were ribbons hanging on door way to warn of the lower than normal height of each door opening.  Shorter guests and children won't have any issues with either first floor bedroom.

I stood in the library for several minutes just ogling the space. It is just too sweet for words. There are bookshelves with books placed not for decorative affect but by happenstance. There were little and large objets d'art all over the room. The floors in the library, living room, and kitchen are painted. The ceiling is coffered. Clerestory windows are located above multiple sets of French doors which frame the library, living room, and even the kitchen.  Surely this addition was built before the windstorm insurance underwriters got to mess with creativity in the Key West.

There are two good sized bedrooms each with vaulted ceilings located on the second floor.  The wood floors, walls, and ceiling are punctuated by the crisp white French doors which open out to little decks overlooking the garden and pool below.

A mature Gumbo Limbo tree reigns over the garden area much of which is a wood deck. Imagine walking down the lane to buy some fresh pastries at the bakery, returning home to drink coffee and maybe read or write a book under the shade of that magnificent tree.  Or to do nothing.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and listing photos of 4 Fletcher Lane, Key West. 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. Let me show you how simple life could be on one of the slow lanes of Key West.

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1407 Petronia Street, Key West - Meadows Magical Makeover

I just saw 1407  Petronia Street for the very first time and was thoroughly amazed by the creativity employed in this home. When I got back to the office I dug into my old shoebox and found the black and white photo below which shows the same house in 1965. There are a couple of obvious differences including the replaced louvered entry door and removed shutters on either side of the front window. Otherwise, the vernacular house resembles a salt box laid on its side. The note on the back of the photo says the house was built in 1906.

1407 Petronia Street is  located in the Meadows Area of Key West. The new aerial photo shows no evidence of the onetime green pastures for which this area was named. The area is, however, still a quiet refuge from the busier happenings a few blocks to the west.

This early twentieth century American home has an early twenty first century European flair. The kitchen was the first major attention grabber. Three glass panel doors recess into the wall and allow you to walk directly out to the pool. This is such an important feature in any house in Key West. We spend so much of our lives outside.

The listing Realtor describes this property this way:

"This traditional Conch style home with an inviting wrap around porch and a cute guest cottage was renovated and redesigned to absolute perfection! The 3 bedroom / 2 baths main house sits on an over sized lot and is designed for entertaining and a relaxed island lifestyle, it features multiple entertaining spaces both inside and out that flow seamlessly together using open doorways, glass sliding doors, a soft cohesive color palate, and the same rich wood and floor materials throughout. Modern European flair awaits the new owner behind a traditional old town Key West facade in one of the most prestigious and peaceful neighborhoods in Old town, the Meadows. The designer Italian kitchen with German appliances is a chef's delight and the focal point in the house. The back patio and lap pool are surrounded by lush landscaping. Beautiful outdoor lighting adds to the relaxing atmosphere of the property. The separate cottage offers a cozy retreat for your guests with it's open living/ sleeping space, a kitchenette and a full bathroom. This is a perfect vacation home or family home with restaurants, schools, parks, tennis and basketball courts in walking/ biking distance. Get your fresh produce and more from the weekly farmer's market at Bayview Park close by. A must see for the discerning buyer."

 

The master bedroom is located opposite the living room. I walked inside and was completely taken by the European style portable closets. I had never seen anything like them. They work wonderfully and provide an immense amount of storage that would have been very expensive to build and which would have eaten a lot of interior living area. The adjacent master bath is quite spacious and has a large walk-in shower.  You will notice no curtains or interior window coverings. There are some exterior Bahama shutters. Trees and tropical foliage provide the rest of the privacy.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet and about 44 incredible listing photos of 1407 Petronia Street. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this magical home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

619 Virginia Street, Key West - Now Able to Show without Paying Ransom

Look at the above picture. Study it. Imagine one guy is a Realtor. The other guy is a tenant. One guys is a victim. One guy is a thug. Who is the good victim and who is the thug?

So this is my little story. I listed the above town home located in November 2018  in the Key West MLS for sale at the asking price of $899,000. This is only the second re-sale this new development of 21 town homes located one block from Duval Street in Key West. This unit is located poolside and is just one of three that has adjacent parking.

The two bedroom, three bath town home has 1394 square feet of brand new living space located next to the pool.  It has the wrap-around deck and a largest private yard of any of the units. It's located at the end of Virginia Street which dead-ends at the front door.

The owner engaged a rental agent to rent the unit as a monthly vacation rental and later decided to sell the place and to buy a place in Costa Rica. That's cool. We all change our minds.

I held several open houses in November and December and geared up toward selling season. I made plans with the property manager to show the unit during Season. All went as planned until the first guest arrived the day after Christmas. I'll call him Mr. Magoo. Magoo initially refused to allow any showings. The property manager eventually got him to allow me to do two showings. Magoo

Magoo gave me his number and said to call him to arrange future showings. When I did, Magoo said he didn't know the place was listed for sale when he scheduled his vacation. He said I am paying $10,000 a month. I think the owner should pay me to let you show disturb my vacation. I asked how much he felt was appropriate. He wouldn't say. I didn't tell the owner. Maybe I should have. I didn't tell the property manager. Maybe I should have. It was late in the stay and nothing would have changed. I decided to wait until I had another request for a showing. That happened the next week. i called Magoo. This time he said he wanted $500 to let me in the door. I declined and did not show the property.

The couple who stayed in February could not have been nicer. The man could not have been nicer and kept saying he wanted me to tell whoever buys the unit he wants to stay next year for two months. He loved the place.

And the couple in March were equally nice. They all paid the same price as Mr. Magoo. Two were gracious. One was an ass. That's life. That's my piece. You can have your say. I realize the guy paid $10,000. He would have paid the same amount for a smaller 680 square foot two bedroom one bath condo at Shipyard and had to share a pool with 170 some other people from up north. Some people are nice in life and some are jerks. It costs nothing to be nice.  Everybody remembers jerks. And everybody appreciates being treated nicely, even if they don't remember it.

619 Virginia Street is still available for purchase at $899,000. CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West MLS and then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a showing. It's vacant at the moment and easy to show. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.

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