Historic Key West Houses: The Architecture and Style of Key West Homes

Rudy Molinet, Broker/Owner, Marquis Properties Realty

Rudy Molinet
Key West Realtor
Of The Year

Key West Architecture

Rudy Molinet, Broker/Owner
Marquis Properties Realty
933 Fleming Street
Key West, FL 33040

Direct: 305-240-1090
Fax: 305-768-0808
rudy@rudymolinet.com

Events & Festivals
Historic Attractions
Lodging & Accommodations
Restaurants & Bars
Shopping Guide
Recreation & Activities
Houses & Architecture
Key West Living

Key West Homes Have Gorgeous Architecture.

Every house in the Key West Real Estate market is truly unique. This is because like everything in Key West, diversity reigns. You have simple shotgun homes like in New Orleans—usually called cigar maker's houses. You have the distinctive “eyebrow” houses that wink at the passerby on a balmy February day. The glorious “Conch Houses” are a combination of Victorian, Bahamian and New England all blended to create a colloquial Key West Architecture that is the envy of the world. The “New Urbanism” movement might be “new” in the USA, but it has been around in Key West for 150 years.

The fact that these homes have survived hurricanes, termites, neglect, the Great Depression - are a testament to the quality workmanship of the shipbuilders and their descendants who built these beautiful treasures and the stewards who have preserved them for the next generation to enjoy and treasure.

Typical early "Shotgun" Style Cigar Maker's Houses

During the past forty years, Key West Homes have undergone tremendous restoration and renovation. In the 1970's many of these homes had fallen to deep disrepair. A group of creative people; artists, gays and lesbians and hippies came to the Island, bought the distressed properties and restored these gems. The Key West Gay community has long been credited with the gentrification of the Key West Historic District. Today homes that sold for $10,000 in 1970 sell for $1 to $2 million. The Key West Real Estate market owes a great deal to the pioneers who had the vision - and the guts - to polish up these grand, old Key West Homes.

(Above) The Southernmost Mansion in Key West

(Left) Cupola atop the Southernmost Mansion

Below are before and after pictures of one of the many Key West gems. Key West Realtor Rudy Molinet currently has this home listed for $1,995,000 located at 631 Southard Street in Old Town Key West. What a Beautiful Sight To Behold!

631 Southard Street Before Renovation

The Renovated 631 Southard Street sold in 2009

• View more old Photos of Historic Key West
• View National Register of Key West Historic Places
• View Acrobat Reader file (3.36mb) of Historic Architectural Resources of Key West

• Key West Properties for Sale    • Information for Key West Real Estate Buyers   • Information for Sellers of Key West Real Estate   • Contact Rudy
• Search the Key West Real Estate MLS    • Recently Sold Key West Real Estate   • About Rudy Molinet    • Value of Your Key West Real Estate
• Relocation Information for Key West Buyers   • Key West Mortgage Financing Information   • Buying Your First Key West Home    • 1031 Exchange Information
• Key West Architecture    • Key West Transient Licenses    • Living in Key West    • Testimonials & References
• Real Estate Resources    • Real Estate Blog