Back in May, there was this post about this house.
Since that post started, it has attracted some of the weirdest comments of any post I’ve ever had on here. So in the five months since the first post went up, what’s the current status?
Here you go:
As winter approaches, it still looks very far from done. They’ve put a massive addition on the back, almost as big as the house itself, but the original section, while maintaining the shape of the original structure, is still missing windows.
Have a fun and safe halloween tonight if you’re going out with little ones. See you Wednesday for the first post of November!
Maybe they are going to make it into a haunted house for Halloween?
I drive by this house at least twice everyday on my way to work. There has been no activity for at least a month that I can recall. The last thing I saw done was a bit of work on the front yard. Silly me I thought they were getting ready to landscape, but no what you see is what you get. I am beginning to think that the owner has a cash flow problem and that is why the condition remains the same. I do feel sorry for the neighbours because at the rate the owner(s) is going, it will take years to complete.
It has a very organic quality, and yet a certain “otherness” about it. A kinetic work with a dynamism paced and stretched over time. The antithesis of “blink, and you might miss it.” So steeped in metaphor. And the scale is remarkable. Wait – it’s a sculpture, right?
Oh dear.
What is the by-law about secured entry on missing doors and windows on empty buildings? Is it just the main floor that needs to be boarded up? I wish they required all the window openings boarded up if they are open for longer than a day so water and snow doesn’t get inside. Come to think of it, aren’t the second floor windows boarded up on Indian Road? I’m also pretty sure the building department requires evestroughs up or they’ll be fined if someone called 311 and complained about the missing evestroughs (hint). I do remember someone getting a work order a year ago that boarded up windows have to be painted. It looks pretty horid the way it’s boarded up, but then again I don’t live in this neighbourhood so I don’t have to look at it every day.
You sad pathetic people who have nothing better to do, but speculate and remark about a house you know nothing about. In addition you know nothing of the owner and yet you suggest cash flow problems ? call 311 to complain?—–are you kidding me. A massive addition on the back?——–again are you kidding me. Get a life people, your ignorance is laughable at best. Anyone with “real money” moved out of Walkerville long ago, your homes on the outside are a “mask” to whats inside——-no insulation, creaky floors, tiny bathrooms and kitchens to name a few things. The “nice” part of Walkerville is getting smaller, because no one wants to buy these “old homes” knowing it will cost 200 – 300k over and above your inflated asking price to restore and make livable. Now someone with imagination buys a 100 year old home in your area intent on restoring it to it’s former glory and you complain and accuse. Just a note on the windows, they have been ordered, however they will take 16 – 18 weeks for delivery, because they are hand crafted wood windows to meet heritage designation !!!! Another note, keep an eye this spring, when the home should be completed and then come and write on this blog what you think, until then————get a life !!!!!
Hrrrmpf
rgm – the house is not designated, and as such there are no restrictions.
I was disappointed when I saw the first post as well, but I’m slowly changing my mind.
The unnecessarily obnoxious tone aside, I somewhat agree with rgm’s suggestion that we should wait ’till spring to see the finished product before assuming anything. If the new owner can make the interior more liveable, knock a few hundred dollars off the monthly heating bill, and keep it all classy at the same time, then what’s not to like?
Even if the owner was waiting on a long delivery item such as custom windows… There is no reason why all work would cease. Clearly something is going on… If there is a money issue I think the Owner owes it to the neighbours to at least close it in. Windows. Roof, etc. Before construction this was a nice house .. If it sits like this for much longer it’s really going to turn into an eyesore!
Shane, clearly you do not know what you are talking about——–all the owners in the nearby area were delivered a letter by the contractor explaining what was happening at the house and the reason for delays as you can expect at most renovation sites. This was not a nice house, no insulation, rotting wood, leaking basement, decaying brick, windows caulked shut etc.—cosmetically it looked nice———however badly need of repair. Maybe Shane should have been hired to oversee this project since you know so much?
You have a lot of nerve to suggest money issues? Clearly something is going on ? Please Shane expound your wisdom to all of us and let everyone know—what?. Who are you and where do you live, let’s take a look at your house and comment on it’s state and furthermore, who appointed you to speak for the neighbors? This site continues to spread rumours and make comments that are totally inappropriate. Individuals like yourself truly need to take a look in your own backyard before posting comments———-Again wait till spring, when the project is completed and then feel free, until then, find another hobby to keep yourself occupied.When the owner does move in this spring, you will “all” owe her an apology———-the problem is it will be too late.
rgm. if you know so much about whats going on… why don’t you enlighten us?!
I’ve neven seen a construction project delay for months like this without there being a specific reason. People in Walkerville have their backs up.. some of us are a little defensive. Time after time we are subjected to people cladding their 100yr old homes in stucco, or the demolition of historic commercial property on walker road, etc etc… A simple answer would go a long way. People in this area are proud of their neighbourhood and only want to see it flourish. So people talk.. and wonder.. whats going on? How long will we be looking at a half completed home? Is it only a small delay or is this going to be like this for years?? After a couple months of no progress people get concerned! It only takes a few months to build a house with a big company. I’m not sure what the problem is on this house… Sure I may have speculated money.. but perhaps is the contractor? or the city not issuing permits? I don’t know!! All I do know.. is its abnormal for a construction site to be absent for such a long period of time! How do I know this is abnormal? I’m in the construction industry. Why am I concerned? I live in the nighbourhood. I don’t need to apologize to anyone. I am simply asking questions!
Shane, read the first sentence, everyone in the neighborhood was hand delivered a letter months ago regarding this project and what was being completed, how and when !!!!!! Why was it hand delivered??=to answer any questions they might have———!!!!
Again the homeowner does not apologize for how long it is taking———it is her right to take as much time as she can to get it right———You know where the homeowner lives——–where do you ????——construction industry —-please——–you know the homeowner’s name——identify yourself—–your like the guy who get’s caught speeding and he tells the cop——–don’t you know who I am?——–laughable at best
You want to know something, identify yourself———call the homeowner ——–be a man instead of hiding behind a blog making accusations you nothing about.
Being in the construction industry you sure have a lot of time on your hands——-successful? Having money problems ? It would be great to look at one of your homes you built or renovated——–address?
Again, identify yourself to the homeowner and talk to her, or shut up and wait till spring and then comment—-DO YOU GET THAT——STOP HIDING BEHIND A BLOG.
Get me off this crazy thing.
RGM – quit babbling on about how this project should be handled, I’m starting to get the impression that you have know idea what you are talking about. I think that you only come on to the blog to screw with people. You really did not answer anything in you last comment on this post.
Shane – You are absolutely correct; this renovation is taking 5 times longer than it should. This is not a normal time frame for a project like this to be completed; I would guess 5 – 6 months from start to finishing would be typical. That would be with quality workmanship and products used in construction and renovation.
hey rgm.. where do you live? whats your address? whats your SIN? how many cats do you have, and what are their names?!?! you are going crazy about someone making a general observation. perhaps you are upset about some people (including myself) assuming money is a problem. that’s fine. this is a blog, and a forum for discussion. as i mentioned, many people who live in the walkerville area are curious about what is happening. people have their defenses raised, particularly people who have an interest in historic properties. they are not prying or harassing.. they simply are concerned about historic preservation. some of those people get on blogs or forms are discuss the issues. it was nice of the owner to distribute a letter to the immediate neighbours, he or she didn’t need to do that. however, not everyone in the nighbourhood got one of these letter, not that i’m saying it is a requirement by ANY means. so… we get on here and chat. to try to figure out whats happening in our neighbourhood.
your absolutely right. we shouldn’t assume money is an issue. sometime people make assumptions when they shouldn’t. my only statement was that it certainly appears something is going on. but i guess it’s wrong of me to say that.. because i have no idea what i’m talking about.
I can feel the love in this room.
Windsorite man, Shane, both of you are the babbling idiots——-I have never indicated how the renovation should be completed——-BOTH OF YOU HAVE——–over and over again. You assume what should be done, what’s not being done and YOU BOTH HAVE NO IDEA. Leave the homeowner and her house alone———wait till spring and if you have a problem state your issues then.
That you did not receive the letter hand delivered to the neighbors, means you do not live near enough to this house. If your so concerned talk to the neighbors around this house and find out what they know.
Again,the homeowner does not answer to you, she has done everything she can to make sure the “immediate neighbors” know what’s going on———–Now Move On——–talk to you in the Spring.
rgm. clearly you are not capable of having civil conversation about the subject. you come in here acting super obnoxious and defensive about the subject. i tried to be polite and explain to you where i and perhaps others were coming from.. that our curiousity comes from a sense of pride and ownership in the neighbourhood, and an interest and respect for historic properties. i mentioned that many people in walkerville are a little defensive about the area because we have seen some pretty bad things happen to quite a few historic building in the area. but since feel obligated to go off on a tangent everytime someone speaks, and completely disregard or ignore they are trying to explan. i am no longer going to address your ranting. you’ve got some sort of super suburban “leave me alone” mentality and obvously don’t understand the dynamic walkerville.
i apologize to the other posters, perhaps i kept this going too long. i will cease in my “poking of the bear” with this last remark.
Shane
I have to agree with you again, I believe that RGM is just some young kid (probably under 21) who is screwing with people on this Blog. I don’t think he has much knowledge about home restoration and renovation. I think the way RGM conducts himself on this Blog is Very immature and unprofessional.
BTW – I wanted to point out that windows are usually measured and order at the beginning of construction, if not sooner. RGM mentioned that the windows take 16-18 weeks for delivery, It appears that this project has be going on for at least 24 weeks which would mean that the windows should have been at the site 6 weeks ago. Trusses, staircases, doors, flooring, kitchen cabinets are also usually ordered when construction begins and delivered on site when needed.
I would advise everyone else on this BLOG should ignore what RGM has to say from this point on.
I did drive by this site today and it appears that this site is abandoned, I can’t say why but I do know that projects like this are usally completed by now give when the construction started.
Windsorite man, the know it all. Again you have not read the posts—–but I will try once more———Question: Would you install kitchen cabinets, flooring etc. prior to the windows being installed ???———–think really hard on this one !!!!
Now the windows were ordered the end of August——-you do the math——–in fact were not supposed to get here until mid December——however homeowner pushed supplier to get then here mid November to install——more than I need to say already. The original architects drawings for addition were nixed and a new architect brought on. This takes time, decisions have to be made before ordering anything. Colors,design and layout for everything need to be considered and to be frank it changed many times because the owner wants to get it right.
Now Mr. know it all, you have a bit of information and if I know what I am talking about the windows will be installed by end of November and the remainder of the project should move quicker, so the homeowner can move in April / May and meet her nice neighbors !!!!!lol
Again you are so quick to make judgements, however not one of you has stated you will talk to the neighbors who were hand delivered notes on what was being done—–they already have this information. No—-you would rather hide on the silly blog and make inane comments about the homeowner and home you know nothing about.
Now you have some information and if I am wrong——-then make your comments about who I am and what I know———–until then STOP !!!!! Better yet ignore me !!!!
Better yet rgm – how about you ignore us since you obviously don’t understand what this blog is about, who comes here or why.
Thanks for dropping in with your unfortunately bombastically ignorant opinion.
Also – learn to type coherent sentences. Adding excessive exclamation marks do not make your opinion any more valid or pointed.
LMAO! Gee, all anyone had to do was say what was going on with the house and that was all. Why all the ad hominem attacks on posters?
The reason why there is so much speculation is that in this city; with the leading or near leading of the unemployment rate in Canada, anything can and does happen.
Shane is right to point out that people in this city have been nothing but unkind to it’s history. So many buildings have been altered or ruined, which in turn brings down the easthetic of the existing neighbourhood(s). Until the city gets real and starts to look at its heritage as a positive thing, neighbours with love of older buildings will continue to fight for them to be kept in better condition.
RGM, you really have to take it easy. You are going to have aneurism with all that tension.
Dave, I will not take it easy——–all of you need to be put in your place——-your whiners and complainers——-that’s all you do
AGAIN, THE NEIGHBORS WERE INFORMED LONG AGO WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO THIS HOUSE !!!! (CARL,I KNOW YOU LIKE THE EXCLAMATION MARKS) YOU DON’T DESERVE ANSWERS———ALL YOU DO IS SPECULATE,SPREAD RUMORS ETC. THIS BLOG IS PERFECT FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU——-YOU HIDE BEHIND A BLOG——–AND NOW YOU DON’T LIKE IT WHEN SOMEONE RESPONDS TO YOU IN KIND.
THIS BLOG SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED TO ASK WHAT WAS GOING ON—–GET INFORMED——-THATS CONSTRUCTIVE—THATS WHAT IT SHOULD BE USED FOR—–NOT RUMORS AND INNUENDO——-AS MOST OF YOU HAVE DONE. GO COMPLAIN TO THE CITY———BUT LEAVE THE HOMEOWNER ALONE.
In a way I am sorry I started all this with my observation. I still drive by this house usually four times a day and there is nothing happening and as someone else commented it looks abandoned. I am waiting for the surprise in the spring and am hoping that rgm knows what he is talking about, but here’s hoping the neighbours are not going to be “Lou Vozzaed”.
“Lou Vozzaed”… LOL
I wonder if the homeowner herself is monitoring the online behavior of this belligerent contractor she hired. His embarrassing tirades here is a poor way to “meet the new neighbours”.
This project may just sit like Grace Hospital…LOL
id be upset if i was the owner. rgm said the windows were holding up construction. if i was the owner i’d be asking my GC why the roofer laid half the ice&water shield and then stopped. i’ve never heard of a roofer stopping work because windows are not in!
Shane, Shane, Shane lots of laughs and so full of opinions and now grumpy old man states I am the contractor———keep digging fellows——-it’s a joy to see how upset I am making you and watch you make “arses” of yourself. Keep it coming this is fun —–“Lou Vozzaed” is that your best ??? I never said the windows were holding up construction (read the entire post), there were a lot of factors and sorry Shane your not the owner.
The homeowner has seen everyone of the posts on here and trust me everyone of you will reveal yourself eventually, you can’t continue to hide behind a blog, when you defame the character of this woman you know nothing about———-so keep it coming, we will see who has the last laugh. Note: You would be surprised at who has read these posts.
You all have been asked repeatedly to wait till spring, when the home should be completed and the homeowner can move in, and yet your own inflated egos will just not let you do it.
C’mon Shane, You can’t put a roof on a house until the windows are in. Also roofers do their best work in January when it is 30 below and we are blanked with 3 feet of snow. I’m sure that will help for laying a slate roof LOL
The GC thought it would help the house to leave the roof off for 3 months, all that rain we had might help clean the wood inside…All those wall studs and floor joist shouldn’t warp that much after they dry out..
This is not like the usually construction techniques that I am used too, but ask RGM he has all the answers, just ask him. LOL…
rgm the only person making an “arse” of themself on here is you. you are so bone headed about the whole situtation.. you are but a grade school child in the playground getting all defensive when the other kids poke fun.. and the more upset you get the more the other kids push.
I feel sad for this beautiful old home and the residents of Walkerville. RGM…hopefully the owner recognizes she should be the one apologizing when (and if) she moves in.
Wow.
Wow. In all the years I have been following this blog I have never seen someone so angry, aggressive and almost threatening.
Far be it from me to make any comments that would set someone off so badly.
Hey posters, keep up the good work with the posts.
When individuals use this blog to make disparaging comments about a individual and her home it makes you very angry. Comments like homeowner must have money problems, comparisons to Lou Vozza etc. and the constant posts on how the construction of the home should take place are maddening to say the least. The homeowner has taken great care in making sure this home’s reconstruction will be a asset to the Walkerville area and show future homeowners what can be done with old homes like this. This takes time and maybe it has not moved forward at the pace all of you would like, does that allow you to make disparaging remarks.
Post after post you have been asked to wait until spring when most of the renovation should be complete, and yet you refuse to listen and make comments on how construction should go. This is not your home, you have no right to tell the homeowner how to renovate her home. Now if you used this blog to ask questions, and took the time to learn more about what was being done, that’s constructive and within your right as a walkerville citizen. Spreading rumors and making comments that are so far in left field is wrong and yes I will defend the homeowner, because if you really knew her you would understand how wrong it is make the comments you have.
Again, get informed and use this blog constructively, make comments that are informed, but do not disparage the homeowner unless you speak from knowing the facts. Other projects that have not gone well in your area for whatever reason are not the homeowners fault and should not be a reflection of her character. This home is not being ruined, it is being restored in detail and brought back the home it once was. If you were honest you would know Walkervilles “nice part” is shrinking and overpriced for the next buyer who won’t want to spend 200k plus to replace wiring, insulate, replace windows, re-inforce basement walls etc., they will just build new. Think about that, you are truly lucky you have an individual willing to take the time and spend the money to restore this house, that most would not. If you truly wanted to know what was going on you should have asked first and commented after, however most of you really don’t want a discussion, you have made up your mind already about the homeowner and the home and that’s sad and wrong.
This is the craziest entry in the IM world I have ever seen! Whereas I want to correct some of the anti-Walkerville sentiments rgm is spreading, I know better than to argue with a crazy person.
*sniff* all this yelling reminds me of the days when David used to be here.lol!
I guess we’ll all have to wait and see, but when my parents were building a house
Construction all of a sudden stopped and stayed that way because the trades wern’t getting paid by
The GC. they ended up losing 15k on the house when the GC claimed bankrupcy
And had to buy another home.
I sure hope rgm is right about all this.
oh man aaron… careful.. we’re not allowed to talk about this house… you’re gonna get us all in trouble!
New sign on the front lawn with a kitchen cabinet company’s name. I didn’t want to stop and right the name down in case rgm was watching.
Oops sorry, should have said write the name down. I think the sceptre of rgm made me make that mistake.
Andrewsmom
This house has a long ways to go before the kitchen cabinets are installed, This house is missing a few things, Like windows, Door, Roofing, electrical, heating ducts, furnace, plumbing, electrical, flooring, drywall, etc. RGM pointed out that you would not install kitchen cabinets until at least the windows and floor are in. Maybe in 3 months this house will be at that stage when cabinets can be installed.
I assume that the Contractor and sub-trades will be showing up soon to finish the house when the temperature drops to 25 below and we have a nice blanket of 2 feet of snow to work in.
I’m just surprised that the owner of this house (who owns a window company which begins with M – hmmmm RGM) would not have has a clear idea on how long the windows would take and would not have had the foresight to order them early. Thats the part which discredits any of rgm’s assertions.
Ladies and gentlemen,
My name is Kyle and I am in charge of this project. I had no idea there were so many interested people in this project, much less such passionate opinion from all sides. This blog was brought to my attention and in an attempt (however vain it may be) to ease some angst I will be happy to provide some update on the project. While I am not going to respond here to the innuendo or mud-slinging going on, I can tell you that the project is well financed and moving ahead. There have been some unexpected delays along the way and some other project decisions that have added to the timeline. Our biggest challenge has been with window delivery and production changes at the factory. These have been resolved and windows will start to be installed this weekend. With the windows late arrival, it would not have made sense to work on wiring and plumbing on an open structure, so the project has not seen much work as of late. The electrical service to the home has been updated last week and we are prepared for the work ahead.
You can expect progress to be made over the coming weeks. The roof will not be complete until the spring as it is slate and cannot be installed until after the upper portion of the exterior is finished. Brick restoration will also begin once the windows are installed.
While I appreciate and applaud all of you in the neighbourhood for your concern for the home and your own property values, please let me be clear. My office number is on the sign. You can call to speak to me personally (as a few of you have done) if you have concerns. Reckless speculation is not only cruel and unnecessary, it is offensive to my client. I have always said to any of you to whom I have spoken that I am happy to update you on the project. I have tried to keep the immediate neighbours up to date with a recent letter, as well. Whether you choose to believe me or not, that is your prerogative. Further, I am responsible to my client and I answer to her. This is her home and my goal is to satisfy her desires and her needs on this project. I do not work for the Walkerville Homeowners Association and while I am willing to make myself available to those who are truly concerned about what is going on, I will not respond to blog posts, wage a battle of wits and words, or further feed the fuel of the sometimes mean-spirited people participating in this forum.
Of course it would’ve been great if we had not experienced the delays that we have. I can only deal with the reality of the situation and that reality is where we are today. I can only hope that you will appreciate the end product. I do know that my client will be, and this is what concerns me the most. I look forward to hearing your feedback when the home is done and we can speak in person. In the meantime, please be patient and give me a call if I can share any more insight with you.
The hired services for this project should not have to explain for the owner of the project. The owner should do this – in person and to those most affected by this disruption. I’m sure most would agree that change is not a bad thing, and that renovations can be expected. But no one expects a disruption that lasts this long and with prolonged periods of inactivity.
Besides an untidy work space that lasted all summer, the grass/weeds were left to grow until someone finally leveled off the yard. A concerned owner would have insisted that the job site be kept in as much order as possible simply to show respect to their new neighbors.
I hope the character of this process is not indicative of the character of the owner. In an effort to help and since this blog indicates that owner follows it, I’ve included some how to be a good neighbor tips.
-Introduce yourself.
-Consider your neighbors’ lifestyle.
-Keep your garden tidy.
-Communicate with your neighbors. Above all, touch base with your neighbors regularly and keep them in the loop.
-Be aware of your surroundings, as well as theirs.
-Be nice to your new neighbors.
-Own your responsibilities and don’t ask other people to do what you should.
You will eventually live here, and consequences caused by the ‘lack’ of your actions will long be remembered.
Thanks Kyle for the updates and information. It is quite kind of you to let us all know how this is moving along.
In an effort to keep the neighbourhood abreast of the construction schedule, here’s where we are at:
– The majority of windows are in, and the remainder will be in by next weekend.
– The front door is currently being restored. It is still a few weeks away from completion.
– Insulation starts in 10 days.
– Electrical / Mechanical rough-in will begin in a few weeks.
The insulation and servicing process is very unique in this house. I don’t want to write an essay on how we are doing this, but if you are curious on how to construct and service an extremely energy-efficient house, please come by in a few weeks and I will be happy to show you on-site. This method has never been done in Ontario, and only a handful of houses in North America are yet doing this (a method to the madness, if you will). Call the office and leave me your number. I will bring you through if you are interested.
The roof slate will not be installed until fairer weather permits – the slope is too steep to risk any slips with the weight of slate going up and down. The roof is completely waterproof and protected for the winter though, so we can proceed on the interior.
As always, call me anytime.
I live in the vicinity of Walkerville and quite likely have one of the oldest homes in the area. When I remodelled (still at it) I did it because it was my house and did it because I wanted to. To all those surrounding me “SUCK IT UP” its my house, my money and my time.
The day I need to get the blessing from anyone other than permits is BS!