Key West is known for its unique art, history, architecture, and culture. 712 Love Lane was recently renovated to commemorate the artistic island living Key West has to offer.  Throughout the years, this home has been a muse for several writers such as Judith Kazantis, Russell Baker, David Halberstram, and Bill Wright.  According to the City of Key West’s Staff Report (May, 26, 2016):

712 Love Lane is listed as a contributing resource and first appears on the 1926 Sanborn Map.  The one story frame, vernacular house was constructed towards the rear of the property with an addition and front porch added sometime between 1962 and 1965 where it first appears in a historic photograph.  Another addition was added to the front of the porch after 1972.

Although rich in character, historic homes, such as 712 Love Lane, may also create some challenges.  As mentioned above, this home has been around at least since the 1920s.  The home was originally constructed with a stone foundation, a “saw-tooth” style skip sheathing roof, and also contained a cistern.  During the renovation, it was discovered that the stone foundation was crumbling, several areas of sub-flooring were no longer level, and roof replacement was necessary in several locations.  We poured new concrete foundations and leveled the sub-floors without disrupting any of the historical charm.  The roof was replaced in several areas but continues to boast the traditional Key West style “tin” roof.  Although the cistern is more of a historical feature today, it remains on-site with a fresh coat of stucco and paint.

The home is now a gorgeous conch cottage in paradise.  Inside, you will find a new gourmet kitchen, a large living and media room, three bedrooms, and three bathrooms.  The pool house also has another bedroom and bathroom.  Cuban patchwork tile adorns two bathrooms and the home has been methodically furnished to celebrate art and style.  In the backyard, we completely updated the pool and pool deck.  We also added a pergola for some shade which is a perfect spot for outdoor dining.

712 Love Lane has been fully upgraded to include several “green” improvements.  The exterior doors and windows have been replaced with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified French doors and windows. The house now uses energy-efficient LED lighting and appliances.  All the plumbing fixtures are low-volume which allows for more water conservation.  712 Love Lane also houses two Mini-Split AC units for maximum cooling efficiency.

The home’s original outline has been preserved and can be enjoyed for many years to come.  Inside, you’ll discover art from all over the world and even books written by Bill Wright in their library.  Come on in and be inspired.

Review from the Homeowner:

For more progress photos and a video, please visit our Facebook page

Winner of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation 2017 Preservation Award

Photography: Blueye Images | Cinematography: Coastal Filmworks

The post Love Lane Renovation first appeared on Barracuda Builders of Key West, Inc..

To complete this outdoor paradise, Barracuda Builders also furnished an outdoor shower from the ground up. After creating the foundation, we laid matching stone tile and built the shower enclosure to compliment the wood panels on the home.

To see before and progress photos, visit our Facebook page.

If you are interested in creating your own outdoor paradise or have another project in mind, contact us today!

The post Outdoor Kitchen & Shower first appeared on Barracuda Builders of Key West, Inc..

This project began with the demolition of all interior finishes and non-load bearing walls. The house was taken down to the studs, exposing antiquated construction techniques.

New wood lap siding, windows, and doors were installed. New concrete foundations were added along each corner to upgrade the structure to current Key West building codes. An entirely new floor plan was designed which included all new electric, plumbing, central air conditioning, spray foam insulation, drywall, wood flooring, and tile finishes. The interiors of this modern day Conch Cottage are an interior decorator’s dream come true. The cool color palette reflects the easy living that Key West is best known for. Top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, custom-built cabinets, and granite counter tops are perfect for quiet dinners at home or entertaining guests.

At a little over 1000 sq ft, our clients stressed the importance of making every inch count, including the outdoor porch and pool area. It is very common in Key West and other areas which experience pleasant weather year round to make the most of their properties. An in-ground concrete pool is the outdoor centerpiece of this Eliza Street property. With 3 waterfall features and stone facade, the pool provides the perfect ambiance for a day (or evening) spent relaxing on the back deck or in a hammock.

Do you have a restoration project or addition you would like to get started on? Contact us today!

Winner of the Historic Florida Keys Foundation 2016 Preservation Award

Photography by Blueye Images

The post Eliza Street Residence first appeared on Barracuda Builders of Key West, Inc..