Introducing the Cornell Condo!

Hello 2018! Where has the year gone? I think I blinked maybe twice and now we're into March. Time flies when you're throwing hammers.

So, where has the time gone? We have been working diligently on the Hemingway Project, finally entering Finish Carpentry and watching a house start transforming into a home. Can't wait for the final reveal folks!

We have also been working on a corporate interiors project downtown!

Then, of course, because it is Fall/Spring, we are being barraged with potential work that needs final pricing. We've got some really exciting projects coming up that will be fun to build.

There is also one more significant project that we've been working on: MY HOUSE! Well, condo actually...it feels like a house because it is a 2,200 square foot flat spanning half of a City block. My husband and I quickly learned that this is marriage bliss - if one of us is upset at the other, we have to walk HALF A BLOCK to get to the other person before communicating our misgivings. Although, since we have no kids, those misgivings are generally about dinner selection or laundry.

I digress.

Please allow me to formally introduce you to the Cornell Condo:

This 2,200 square foot flat is located in a 3-story masonry building, built in 1918. Located in Chicago's historic Hyde Park neighborhood, this particular building was developed by the renown Paul Cornell. In the mid-19th century, Paul Cornell purchased 300 acres of land between 51st & 55th street in anticipation of a real estate boom following the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad. During that time, Hyde Park was a rural community boasting stunning views of Lake Michigan and a more temperate climate compared to downtown. The downtown area was located a significant distance from this picturesque neighborhood: an entire seven miles south (hey! That's a long trip with a horse-drawn carriage!). Paul Cornell's foresight paid dividends - within less than a decade, Hyde Park was incorporated as an independent township and became the premier resort destination for affluent Chicago residents. Basically, Hyde Park became the Hamptons of the midwest. The neighborhood experienced a real estate boom involving the construction of several lakeside hotels and even more condos serving as pied à terres for the wealthy. The Cornell Condo is one of those pied à terres.

This project involves the restoration of the original wood mouldings, including an intricate fireplace mantel and solid oak doors. Oak flooring will be refinished to boast its original glory. The plaster walls will be repaired and restored in preparation for a luxury finish application. In addition, our scope incorporates the remodeling of two (2) existing bedroom closets into one Master Closet, the upgrade of the existing Main Hallway Closet into a Cedar Closet, and the installation of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the Living Room, custom designed to maintain the historical integrity of the space.

Here are the Before photos: