Well not quite there, but well on it's way. You may recall my introducing this decrepit old building here. Believe you me, it wasn't helping my property value that's for sure. So that's why I'm so happy to report it is finally getting some much needed love. Turns out someone did have the stones to see past this lifeless heap of a house/apartment building. It's been a long time in the making though -- I was starting to get a bit impatient when last year they put a new roof on it, but then any signs of progress fell silent. Until now.
Workers have been scurrying around the property for the last two weeks or so and have made up for lost time a bit. I'm not sure what they're doing inside, but I'm sure it's about time whatever it is. As for the exterior, the changes are subtle, yet significant. With the new roof it still looks like a condemned building -- all the pigeons still think so (note large white streak in gable). And despite the owner's best efforts to evict the pigeons that have called this place home over the years, they still love to roost here although far less than I remember. Not even 3 fake owls perched on the roof could dissuade them -- I think that's hilarious. They sure are persistent!
You'll notice the old divided light window sashes are now gone -- I'm sure most were beyond salvageable (although I did see them save a few). Now replaced with "double hung" vinyl windows, except for the two large front facade windows. They look a little too imposing -- I would have stacked them to at least simulate a double hung window, but it's still an improvement. The workers have also been busy scraping all the stucco off. It wasn't completely covered, but I'd guesstimate it was still nearly 40 - 50% of the building. From what I hear the owner plans to restore the brick, which would be awesome if they refrain from painting it. You can make out the apartment addition that was put up sometime after the original house was built. By the style of the house, which appears to be folk victorian, I'd say it was built sometime around the turn of the century and the addition was built not too long after. It's actually much larger than it appears in the photos.
Hopefully they keep up the progress and I can look out my window next summer and see a beautiful old building and not an eyesore. Looks like I won the bet..
