Framing

The framers are out in full force, building back up ripped out walls and floors with lightning-fast speed. I swear, this morning I was visiting the buildings, wandered away for a few minutes from a floor-less section and then came back to see it half framed out. Amazing!

Framing out the 2nd floor of 204
Framing out the 2nd floor of 204

Here are some more pics Continue reading “Framing”

Real Floors

I stopped by the buildings today to find real sub-floors being built.

2nd Floor of 204 before and after
2nd Floor of 204 before and after

I have to admit it made me feel, oddly, emotional. These buildings have been neglected for so many years. I recently learned they were drug houses in 2004 where you could rent a room for $25/week. It had to take decades of abuse and neglect to get the buildings to the state they were in when we bought them. And now, with floors starting to be framed out, we are changing their trajectory from decay to repair.

I know I have completely anthropomorphized these buildings, but I feel like they needed someone to recognize their potential, love them and bring them back to life. I am just amazed being able to walk on solid floor where there used to be giant holes from water damage.

Here are some more before/after photos Continue reading “Real Floors”

Dramatic change

Remember the before and after pics of the 3rd floor of 204?

204 3rd floor before and after
204 3rd floor before and after

Well, look at the 3rd floor of 204 now!

204 3rd floor
204 3rd floor, back wall-less and roofless

Brick Walls All Gone

I haven’t been up to the 2nd and 3rd floors of the buildings lately, because of the demo, but today I was able to go up and see the back brick walls completely gone from the 3rd floor.

Here is a pan-o-rama view. It was Heath’s (Greensaw project manager) idea to take a pan-o-rama pic, that’s his head on the right.

Pan-o-Rama view of the back of the 3rd floors
Pan-o-Rama view of the back of the 3rd floors

Here are before and after pics of the view from the 3rd floor of 204 facing South towards the back of the buildings. Amazing!

204 3rd floor before and after
204 3rd floor before and after