Just Listed, 1021 Fleming Street, Key West. Longtime readers of my blog may recall that I first wrote about 1021 Fleming Street in 2010 just after it was listed for sale as a bank owned property. I posted two more blogs documenting the renovation and restoration of this property which resulted in it receiving the 2014 Florida Keys Historic Preservation Award for excellence in historic preservation. The ceramic star award is visible next to the front door.
In 2010 I wrote "You can tell a lot about houses the way that prior owners cared for them. Look at the photo above, it says it all. "HOME SWEET HOME". The paint is peeling a bit. Kind of like when a distinguished gentleman gets older and his skin looses the tautness of youth. Crows feet and little wrinkles appear. I guess some would say a man with features like that is over the hill. Others may find a man like that a great catch." The buyer who bought and restored this house definitely viewed the home as a great catch and methodically took the house apart and thoughtfully put it back together again with care and attention to detail at every point. This home will bring great joy to a lucky new owner.
1021 Fleming Street was and remains a simple and unassuming house. The simple original structure has been sensibly updated. The interiors are white with black accents and rich wood floors. The pillars from the front porch are copied midway on the main level to support the second floor where an old wall system was removed. The first floor ceiling is fairly tall. A tall man will feel comfortable in all of the rooms. There is a little cubbyhole closet under the staircase. In fact, there are many closets and storage places located throughout the house.
The first view I saw when I entered the house were the French doors at the rear which open out to the pool. I really couldn't wait to see what the owner, architect, builder had created. That view is what you and your guests will see each time the front door opens. It will surely delight you every time you enter.
Let me just say the kitchen is perfect. As with the rest of the house, the kitchen is all white except for the black upper glass front panel doors and the rich wood floors. Imagine standing at the farmer's sink cleaning up after breakfast and looking out the window at the palm fronds and other tropical foliage. The garden will bring joy to your heart each time you do the dishes - a chore I hate. Or, you could walk a couple of blocks in any direction to dine at any one of many cafes or restaurants. This home is located in the center of Old Town within easy walking distance to everything that makes Key West a delight. A lot of people from all over the world save money to vacation in Key West for a week or two each year. Many dream of being able to walk out the door and stroll a couple of blocks to do this or that or the other thing. As an owner of a house, you could do just that. Anytime.
Or you could stay at home and lounge on the veranda or lay by the pool and wait for someone to bring you a cocktail or something to eat to show gratitude for having bought such a wonderful home. The veranda provides shade for those who need it. The Ipe deck and stone terrace offer ample areas for sunning. A surfboard has been re-purposed for use as the standard upon which the outdoor shower is located. Look about the pool. None of the neighboring homes have even a hint of a view what goes on down there. And other than the coconut palm on the north side of the pool, there are no large trees to interfere with sunning.
The garage which measures 14' wide by 18' deep sits at the far northwest corner of the lot. There is full driveway access on the west side of the house to use the building as a garage. But I think a better use might be to create a guest bed and bath or simply use the space as a poolside bar. There is water to the building. Key West code would allow an owner to improve this building where it sits. I have seen some incredible conversions of similar spaces. Since the main house has only two bedrooms, a third bedroom might work well. However, there are a couple of nearby guest houses where your guests could stay. You might opt to save thousands of dollars making a bar stocked with premium booze and have money left in the bank.
I have this theory about guest bedrooms. If you have too many or if they are too nice, you will never have your house to yourself. This first floor guest room is damned fine. I love the space. Pocket doors provide privacy when needed. The door can remain open other times and let muted sun shine through to the living room.
The master bedroom and bath occupy the entire second floor. The space is so simple and so inviting. The bed is tucked under the front gable. It's like a little bird's nest. A cocoon, perhaps. A simple place to sleep. The floors are painted white as are the walls and ceiling. The only colors come from the black stair rails and wood beams. There's a bit of gray in the bathroom where double windows look down to the pool below. Remember, no neighbors have views of this house. Curtains are not needed.There is a chandelier in the bath. It is one of four light fixtures that both illuminate and decorate the space where they hang. There is even a small sitting area tucked in under the east gable.
CLICK HERE to view more photos of 1021 Feming Street.
Several scenes of the 1992 movie Criss Cross starring Goldie Hawn were filmed on this block. Twenty six years later the block has been dramatically gentrified. Two of the houses on this block had the highest sales prices for the year in which they were sold. I took the second floor photo (three above) a couple of years ago. It shows 1021 Fleming with the front tree in bloom. I took the middle photo a couple of days ago. That tree is full of flowers again. Such is the joy of living on a little island paradise out in the middle of the ocean. Once you are out by your pool, you may not care about anything else in front of the house or down the street. All will be right with the world..
CLICK HERE to take a 3D Tour of 1021 Fleming Street. Use the toggle button to maneuver throughout the house.
CLICK HERE to view the Key West MLS datasheet on 1021 Fleming Street which is offered at $1,475,000. Then 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, the listing brokerage for this property.
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