Grand Hotel: Lara Surveys the New Construction

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Saturday, Lara pokes her head into the Hotel, 

to see the current progress.

Lara: Hello, Mr. Pitt. Is it okay if I come  in and look around?

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Russell Pitt (foreman): Sure, Miss Roberts. We just laid the subfloor, the crew is gone. I was just checking some plans for next weeks work schedule.

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Lara: Oh, WOW! This is amazing it adds almost a foot and a half to the ceiling height. And it looks like you have started on the upper level, too.

Russ: Yea, really opens up the space. We have the column supports in, also.

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Lara: I can't get over the height difference. I don't feel like a giant anymore, even though I am tall. The bakery renter, will be ecstatic. I've signed up three tenants for these lower spaces.

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Lara: Including my little office which will be here. 

Looks like I will have to do a built-in desk, and I could have a table top all the way to the window, and storage below....perfect.

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Russ: We still have to reopen the atrium back wall, but all the demolition is done upstairs and downstairs. I'll take you upstairs, now that all it is all cleared.

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Lara: Wow, the space looks great! I can visualize the railings. And now the floor is level with the elevator. Much better.

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Russ: Yes, there will be a railing here in the hall and doors to the apartments. The 'specs' call for two glass window walls to the apartments. Those will go in at the end. Lots of glass is on order.

Lara:That will be wonderful to add natural light to the apartments.

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Lara: Somehow you got rid of the bathtub. This smaller apartment looks big now.

Russ: The subfloor goes right over it. Too much hassle to take it out, was cemented into the beams. Now, it's a good-sized space.

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Lara: This side is a bit bigger, hmmm, I will have to choose one of apartments for me, I guess I will wait and see which is leased first. The plans I saw, showed a full bath. I could put the bed here. I wonder where the closet will go?

Russ: I'm waiting for the next set of plans for the electricians and the plumbers. It's going to take some time before you see any more major progress!

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Lara: Well, I'm impressed with the space.

Russ: Stop in anytime you see lights on, I'm usually here late to plan for the next day's work. Monday the electricians begin and Wednesday the plumbers will start. Tomorrow, my guys begin on the atrium back wall. Original 1892 plans filed with the city--show an unusual space behind there, so we will do an exploratory.

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Lara:I never thought of this building as an archaeology site. But, I suppose it is. Thanks so much for the tour. I hope to see you next week. 

Please join me at the following posts on the Grand Hotel Project: 
Hotel Project:Sindy's big Decision, part1
Hotel Project:Sindy's big Decision, part2
Hotel Project: Men at Work

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Sharing at these fine blog parties-
Celebrate Your Story
Vintage Charm
Tuesdays at our Home
Inspire Me Tuesday
Happiness is Homemade

Thank you for your cooperation, 

Sandi Magle

Hotel Project: Sindy's Big Decision Part 2

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Lara and Barbie leave Sindy to ponder the possible space for her bakery/cafe on the main floor of the Grand Hotel Project.

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Barbie: Love this old elevator---it's an OTIS, even.

Lara: Originally the hotel was built for the 1893 Columbian Exposition here in Chicago. It had so many tiny rooms---as most of the patrons spent their time at the Fair.

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Lara; You can see this small built-in bedroom, there were three like this on this side. 

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Barbie: A very small space indeed.

Lara: People were so much smaller then, the other rooms didn't even have windows. This floor will extend all the way to the pillars.

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Lara: Be careful, and there will be glass walls and a railing overlooking the atrium. I hope they reuse these railings somewhere else.

Barbie: This should be a good sized studio apartment, when done.

Lara: Yes, the bathrooms are still being finalized, it's hard cramming 21st century plumbing into a 19th century building.

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Lara: Each apartment will have a wall next to the elevator and hallway. Upstairs will be two more apartments.

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Barbie: Is this where the ceiling are so low downstairs?

Lara: Yes, the original plans had a sleeping loft built over the kitchen, but that's been nixed due to the duct work. So, this will be a smaller apartment, with more built-ins.

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Lara: This tub, or Koi Pond---will have to go. It's right in the middle of the hallway. I can't imagine why? It was a later addition. Rumors say it the building was a speakeasy and a brothel during prohibition.

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Barbie: Maybe that explains all the small bedrooms...?

Lara: Well, when the floors are in, it will be easier to tell if they can fit everything in. The plans are a bit open still.

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Barbie:Totally love these windows. We have to finish the HFIM house soon, too. Everyone is getting too comfortable there. We still need to add another bathroom and do the attic. An outdoor stairway needs to be added and the grounds updated. Always so many projects and so little money. In the HFIM---everyone is too busy working, to be helping.

Lara:Well, the neighborhood is really beginning to pop, selling wise. There are at least three buildings sold in the last month on the backside of this block, and for crazy dollars.

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Barbie: Well getting this old eyesore redone will help everyone.

Lara: Exactly!

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Lara: So, Sindy, do you need more time, or should I get a letter of intent ready for you to sign?

Sindy: If we could get down to the particulars, I'm sure I will be able to make up my mind. But, I have to get to work, now. So--how about tomorrow, here?

Lara: Great! But they are tearing out the floors tomorrow--and no one will be allowed in---so how about at Tony's for lunch...say 1:00. 

Sindy: Sure, that will be fine. Do these crazy lights stay....? They are growing on me?

Please join me on the Grand Hotel DIY/Redo posts, here: 

Hotel-project-sindys-big-decision-part1

Demolition: Men at Work

Grand Hotel:Lara Surveys Progress

Grand Hotel: Grand Hotel Demolition Secret

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Sharing at these fine blog parties-
Happiness is Homemade

Thank you for your cooperation, 

Sandi Magle

Hotel Project: Sindy's Big Decision Part 1

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Lara shows Sindy(Katniss doll) and Barbie the new neighborhood project---turning the OLD Grand Hotel into retail and apartments. It's been empty for over 15 years. (This will be a great REDO)

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Sindy: I've walked on the otherside of the street from this boarded up building for the last four years. It's spooky!

Barbie: I bet it was gorgeous when it was built.

Lara: It was built in 1892, and well, it won't be spooky for long. The cafe area would be perfect for a mini bakery, Sindy.

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Sindy:Lots of stuff still in there...nice windows, the ones that aren't boarded up.

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Lara: BMR has great plans for this space. Demolition has already started, so walk carefully

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Barbie: Oh, my! Um, it's really ripped apart.

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Lara: It has been empty for a long time---naturally it needs work.

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Sindy: Wow, this ceiling is really low.

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Lara: The reconstruction will lower the floors.

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Sindy: But, I can touch the ceiling here, and it's sagging.

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Lara:There are lots of fixtures available in here--and in the basement. I wish you could see the kitchen, it's almost complete.

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Lara: Look at this----Drywall just went up here---the door to the kitchen could be put either place.

Sindy: How big is the kitchen? 

Lara: It's a long galley 9 foot wide by the whole depth of the building. The specs say there are four ovens and some other equipment. I'm sorry you can't see it today, since they put up the wall this week, and haven't cut out the door.

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Lara: This other side is almost done---and already rented for a beauty parlor. You will have a steady stream of people coming in all day. 

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This is just what the neighborhood needs, stable businesses in a beautiful classic setting. And, women owned! 

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I will be managing the BMR office from right here, and I'm first on the list for one of the apartments.

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Lara: And, Sindy,  a window will be here, you could put a built-in-booth in here that would be very cozy. I can see us all having latte's here.

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Sindy: What about this space and these columns?

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Lara: This is going to be an open atrium to the skylight. Upstairs will be large windows overlooking this public space. Planters and seating are planned. The columns will hold up the new second floor extensions.

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Barbie: Oh, won't that be just gorgeous---so 1892....I can see ferns and stained glassed windows or at least paneled windows.

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Lara:Richelle is working on the renditions for the advertising. But, our goal at BMR is to have all the spaces leased so we don't have to advertise. So, you save by leasing early. Advertising is very expensive.

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Barbie: BMR is really hopping, Lara. You are doing a great job. This will be a great little office.

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Lara: I really don't need much room, most of my work is face-to-face. 

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Sindy: This banquette is awfully low? So much seems out of proportion.

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Sindy: It's a great opportunity. Um, golly! I just got the letter that my food truck permit didn't come through, but I'm on the waiting list for 2021. That's so long to wait, but this is a big step!

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Sindy: The other side looks great. How long before this space will be ready and how much time do I have to think about it?

Lara: We have time. Construction will be a few months at least. You could sign a letter of intent, and then sign a lease when the space is further along. Why don't we go upstairs Barbie, and let Sindy think about it. Feel free to look around, Sindy. We will be upstairs.

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Sindy: This is a really big decision. I could get established and then hopefully open the food truck in 2021 or if I ever get a permit. Hm-m-m???

(story to be continued)

Please join me on the Grand Hotel DIY/Redo posts, here:
Hotel Project Part 2
Demolition: Men at Work
Grand Hotel:Lara surveys Progress
Tutorial:Grand Hotel Demolition
Grand Hotel: Grand Hotel Demolition Secret

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

 Please do not use photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Sharing at these fine blog parties-
Happiness is Homemade

Thank you for your cooperation, 

Sandi Magle