Windows in the Front

I came home early to catch up on some building stuff including letting you see what has been happening. It occurs to me now that so much is happening, I can't really catch you up. But I'll try......

The windows were installed this week. I was looking at old photos, and I'm not sure the windows make as dramatic an impact as I had imagined. At least not from far away. I had imagined an immediate "oh, wow! Look at those nice new windows!" kind of reaction. But not so much.

However, there are some benefits that you might not see in the photo:

• There are panes in each frame. Sounds like that would be consistent with before but some of the windows were broken out. This is the first the building has had fully glassed windows.
• The panes are double glass giving extra insulation
• The hardware makes cleaning the windows simpler and more efficient to use
• They haven't yet been finished or painted

So maybe the dramatic appeal will happen. I'm still excited.

Oh, and ask Keith Freeman to tell you about "trying". He'll give you a good story about Bear Bryant.....

Pre-Demolition Photos

Danny Mac came through with some photos just days before demolition began. Here's the link to all of them. I'll pick a few to comment on, especially as progress gets underway.

This one is from the 3rd floor, front of building looking toward the back. In the far back, left corner you can see a handmade staircase that goes up to the rooftop. The hatch door leaked and allowed rain to come down the stairs. I'm hoping to not find extensive water damage. Of course, the rooftop gets major repair.

The stairway down that you see will be patched and become the approximate location where you will come up from the floor below (opposite direction). I am standing in what will become the hallway. The closet and bathroom will be along the left wall. The bedroom will be in the back. Danny is taking the photo from what will become my office/study/rec room. Somewhere in this space will be a cutout to the floor below, creating a loft. This was located in the front where Danny is standing, but the city won't allow if I intend to apply for tax credits.

Demolition Permit Granted

Permit submitted and approved. Demolition contract will be signed tomorrow. Work should begin very soon.

Danny Mac took a bunch of photos today of the interior. I will find a way to host some of the photos for posterity sake. Dan had spent time inside 308 when it was a dance club. There's a photo of he and Kelli on the cover of a local newspaper that I'd love to find. Anyway, he didn't quite remember Ringside looking as it does today. That's unfortunate on many levels. But, mostly today because Ringside was once a vibrant part of the Triangle scene.

Even though I've had a couple of months to adjust, it still seems like a daunting series of tasks to turn this space into a home and business.