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Award Winning Southernmost City Estate For A Cool $3 Mil!
Ever wonder what $3million will buy in Key West, Florida? The small island at the end of the Florida Keys is a popular place for second homes for the well-heeled – the lifestyle is laidback and the warm breezes are year round and the city has a smorgasbord of cultural events and entertainment. What it doesn’t have is a lot of space. You know that’s true when a home on lot of 6,000 square feet is listed for close to $3mil!
Of course, it is an elegant and luxurious five bedroom, 5 ½ bath historic residence and it is exquisitely renovated and restored – and decorated. In fact, it is an award-winning restoration of a Classic Revival home on one of Old Town’s most desirable streets. The home – at 517 Grinnell Street – was awarded a Ceramic Star for Excellence in Historic Renovation by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation.
The interior finish includes Dade County Pine walls and heart pine hardwood floors. Most of the Key West’s historic homes were built from “Dade County” pine – a wood known for its resistance to termites. It is a dense, coastal pine which was – despite the name – not necessarily from Dade County. The pine used in early Key West homes was usually from Pensacola. Heart pine is the most similar wood available today and is commonly used in restorations.
Note the spectacular grain of the heart pine floors and the curved wall of windows for the dining area shown above. The original Dade County pine has been left natural on the wall to the left and along the staircase.
The home has a truly spectacular kitchen with counters carved from Brazilian Azul Macauba granite and cabinetry constructed in African Anigre wood, a tropical hardwood of about the same weight as mahogany, but of a lighter color and high luster. Anigre’s tone is close to maple, but the texture and pattern of the grain sets this wood apart.
Of course, it is the year round climate that makes the Southernmost City so attractive, and the most appealing homes take advantage of the opportunity to live out of doors as much as in. Here a glass wall opens onto a large covered lanai to extend the living space outside.
The ceilings of the home are an airy ten feet high, and a very large master suite has vaulted ceilings and a private balcony. The suite also has a walk-in dressing room/closet the master bath has a large walk-in shower. There are two additional master suites — one on the ground floor – and there is a detached guest house.
As you would expect, there is a large heated pool – 40 feet, which is “Olympic” by Key West standards, with a spa and a lovely waterfall feature – all surrounded by a variety of palms and lush tropical landscaping.
The home is in the heart of Old Town Key West, in a quiet neighborhood close to the historic seaport and harbor. The restaurants and shopping, theaters and other nightlife and attractions of Key West are short walk or bike ride from this exclusive residence. Offered at US $2,895,000 by Realtor Rudy Molinet. You can find details and listings of other fine residences in Key West on his website.
Molinet, the broker of Marquis Properties, is the top producing Realtor in Key West, and is known for his listings of the Southernmost City’s most exclusive properties. His real estate blog offers market reports that reflect a strong recovery for local properties. Key West’s recovery was early – reports reflect a 33% rise over the past 3 years. Molinet is sure it’s time to buy, and with properties this beautiful it is certainly time to look.
