There has been very few subjects that have generated as much discussion as this house. Between the first and second post, over 80 comments have been left.
The photo above was taken Saturday, the windows went in over the last few weeks from what I understand… I’m waiting to see the roof go on next…
I’ll turn the comments over to you guys… BE CIVIL! 
Those windows look great! I’m glad the winter has been so mild while it went without them.
I noticed that new posters – “reasonable advice” and “let’s be good neighbours”, who I suspect is that same person has just posted on the two other entries on this subject.
The posts would suggest that they are not happy with how long this project has taken, or the way the work site has been kept. I’d like to hear more from that/these posters.
Now, I hope there’s enough chairs when rgm comes in and puts us all in our place;)
The windows are in keeping with the era of the house. Hopefully this continues and this beauty is restored to its former glory.
Making a bowl of popcorn…
I’m glad they chose historic-esque windows, with arches and all. I think maybe everyone can at least start putting their fears to rest. Having just seen the 1989 photos of this home that someone linked to in a comment on a previous post, I am sad and angry that such a beautiful home was allowed to reach a state of ruin warranting such drastic (and expensive) reconstruction. That is where the vitriol should be directed. The owner doesn’t owe a thing to looky-loos like me, but I would love to see a blog documenting the continuing reconstruction of the home. I’m sure the people who actually live nearby would appreciate it, too.
Ok, I feel stupid. That property listing was not *from* 1989, that’s the damn address. How does anyone buy a home that looks like that, and proceed immediately to gutting it? Yes, it’s entirely possible that all that beautiful trim, new kitchen and baths rested on, under, or against rotten framing. But to respond by gutting the whole house? No. The guys on “This Old House” have done some radical reconstruction, but I don’t recall even their wealthiest clients reframing a roof unless they were altering the roofline. Foundation repair, lack of insulation – yes, taking all of these factors together, bad counsel could convince a homeowner to unnecessarily gut their newly purchased, longed-for historic home.
A friend of mine lives close by on Monmouth, so I drive by the place a lot. I’m glad to see they are keeping it original. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
The new windows look great. I’m happy to see progress. It is nice to see someone investing in the neighborhood. Hope the trend continues. I’m sure rgm will come and put me in my place but I don’t feel any of the comments in the previous posts were inappropriate. We are a curious group of neighbors. We want what’s best for the area. Now lets hope someone scoops up the neighbors house and continues on where the current owner has left off.
I am not getting too excited yet since there has been no activity at the house since the windows went in about 4 or 5 weeks ago. I drive that way at least twice a day and keep hoping to see a beehive of activity, but nothing since the window installation. I will say the windows do look fantastic and here’s hoping the rest of the house will one day too.
I was wondering if the contracting had the Windows installed in the house or if the home owner had that done herself since she owns the window company anyways. I will say that these true divided lights windows are very nice. I would guess that are wood frame with metal cladding on the outside. Many historic districts make it a requirement to have period correct windows that suit the neighbourhood when renovating an old houses. Windows like these can be over twice the price of regular replacement windows.
You are correct Walkerville Observer. Windows in general are very expensive (when they aren’t that expensive to make and assemble).
But to it windows into period houses the costs can double or even triple.
I have looked for windows for my house and will be paying up to $1400.00/window on the main floor. Not cheap that is for sure.
@Ben – I am the project manager for the house, and I just wanted to clarify one point for you on the project. The roof was removed for exactly the reasons you mentioned. We have added a 2-storey addition to the back of the house, the majority of the roof was rotten due to only a portion of shingles being replaced over time, and the new roof is slate, which requires more strength than the original roof had, even if it was sound. Because the roof had to come off, we corrected some architectural symmetry issues when dormers were added at some point in the house’s life and we made the third floor loft functional by increasing slightly the head clearance and opening up the floor plan on the third floor. As you can see from the picture on the first blog and now this blog, we have kept the lines of the home as traditional as possible and true to the original design. The roof looks like it was original. Once the slate is on, you will not know that the roofline was altered.
As always, I’m happy to speak with anyone at any time about the home.
One thing I failed to note in my update on the Part II blog, brick restoration will also begin as soon as the last windows are installed. Expect tenting and scaffolds to be up in 2-3 weeks, depending on our brick crew’s availability.
Kyle,
Thank you very much for taking the time to explain what is going on with this lovely home. When this project is finished it will certainly add to pleasing aesthetics that is Walkerville.
Thanks for the update Kyle! You, the contractors and the homeowner are doing a great job
As for anyone complaining about how long this project is taking, please remember that ordering anything “custom” takes a heck of a long time, and costs A LOT.
I’m sure the final product will be worth the wait, and I look forward to having someone new in the neighbourhood!