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Private Notes
A new project begins in Brooklyn, NY. Bob Vila tours the abandoned warehouse slated to become a three-unit residential building with ground-floor commerical space.
Bob Vila tours the Sweeney Building, which boasts stunning views. Back at the warehouse, demolition is underway. Included: a consult with a preservation expert.
Interior work and demolition are progressing simultaneously. A new tongue-and-groove plywood subfloor is being installed and basic wall framing has begun. Also: Bob Vila takes a water taxi tour of New York harbor.
Power washing is underway on the façade and new windows are installed. Included: Bob Vila tours the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY.
Rough electrical work is underway and Bob discusses the challenges of wiring an old building, particularly in New York City where there are strict code requirements.
The electrician, Eddie Fisher, uses metal-shielded cable to reduce the possibility of damaging power lines, both during installation and over the building's lifespan.
Insulation is also going on. Bob joins George Saylor from Owens Corning to learn more about the type of insulation being used in the apartments.
Taking a break from the action at the project building, Bob tours the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the country's oldest dry dock. Now converted for a variety of functions, the Navy Yard houses everything from television and film production studios to commuter boat docks.
After a quick progress report, Bob meets Thad Goodman from Georgia-Pacific who is installing GP DensArmor drywall.
Next, Bob and Chris Vila head to the roof where Dino Koukoudakis from Dino's Construction is installing a new Wasco skylight, which will provide natural light for the 4th floor apartment. Future plans for the rooftop also include a hardwood deck.
Bob pays another visit to developer and artist Jane Walentas, this time getting a tour of her multi-story luxury loft space around the corner from the project building.
Back on site, Bob and Chris talk more about the façade restoration with Cas Stachelberg from Higgins and Quasebarth, a New York City firm focused on the preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties.
Work on the roof deck continues, while Bob and Chris Vila confer with HVAC and plumbing contractors and hardwood flooring is installed indoors.
Marble tile work is started in the bathroom. In the kitchen, new cabinets are installed, along with a center island. Also: a tour of the historic Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Stone and tile specialist Nick Tagios returns to install the countertop on the kitchen island in the penthouse apartment. Tagios takes us through all the steps of bracing and epoxying the Pietra Cardosa marble surface.
Next, Bob checks on the trimwork being done in the back bedroom. Bob also looks on as the sliding closet doors and shelving are installed.
Finally, work is also underway in the bathroom, and Lenora Campos from Toto is on-site to show off the new fixtures that are part of Toto's Mercer suite.
A new high-strength MacLock deadbolt system is being installed on the entry door to the second-floor apartment in this episode. This state-of-the-art locking mechanism is perfect for city living and designed to more efficiently prevent break-ins.
In the main living space of the third floor apartment, a new Solserene acoustical ceiling from Owens Corning is being installed. This product involves a sheathing of cloth material stretched over insulated panels to reduce noise.
Out front, Bob catches up with Jed Walentas to talk about the work being done on the exterior. The pair take a look at the process of masonry tinting that is being done to restore the façade.
The roof, deck, and bathroom remodeling near completion. Included: a tour of famed Coney Island.
With major construction nearly complete in the penthouse apartment, interior design is ready to begin.
Project manager Chris Vila joins artisan Jonas Everets to learn more about the faux Marmorino finish that is being applied to the walls of the penthouse. A combination of marble dust, pigments, and plaster, Marmorino takes a bit of artistry to apply and gives the space a unique look. It is a multi-step process that involves masking-off the work area, applying a base primer coat, a top coat of tinted plaster, and finally a wax finish.
Next, Bob joins designers Jonathan Adler and Darren Brown to talk about their plans for the top-floor apartment. And finally, Bob travels into Manhattan to visit Adler's retail store in the SoHo shopping district.
Bob tours the entire building to review the warehouse rehab. Before entire, Bob and project manager Chris Vila talk about the preparations underway for the new ground-floor commercial storefront.
Al Henriquez and the crew from Two Trees Development are hard at work installing the doorjamb and cement stairs. Meanwhile, Dave Andersen from Pasvalco, a New Jersey-based stone company, explains the creation of the unique stone steps leading into the building.
To everyone's delight, celebrity chef Jacques Torres makes a quick cameo, when he delivers some treats from his neighborhood chocolate shop.
Inside, Bob points out the finished Toto USA bathroom suite on the second floor and the Owens Corning QuietZone Solserene Acoustical Ceiling on the third floor.
On the fourth floor, Bob looks around the finished space with the designers, Jonathan Adler and Darren Brown. Lighting designer Markus Earley also joins Bob, before he completes his tour by appreciating the state-of-the-art Dacor kitchen appliances.
Bob Vila and crew travel to the Berkshires, located in western Massachusetts, for the prefab construction and on-site assembly of a modular home.
Bob Vila talks on-site with contractors—and in Scranton, with Simplex Industries—about the manufacture and assembly of pre-cast foundation panels.
The work underway includes roof assembly, subfloor installation, wall framing, and drywall application in the main living areas of the home.
Work continues at the Simplex Industries plant in Scranton, PA. The interior finishes are being installed (hardwood floors, kitchen cabinets and counters, etc.), along with the windows and exterior siding.
The main sections of the modular house arrive from the Simplex factory, and the building lot quickly transforms into a home site.
The project site is buzzing with activity. As the assembly of the home's main sections nears completion, shingles are installed and stone veneer is applied to the foundation.
The metal roof system is fabricated and set into place. Included: a tour of The Mount, a lavish retreat formerly owned by Edith Wharton.
Easy-to-install crown molding is installed, along with a gas fireplace. Meanwhile, decking gets underway outside.
Progress continues to be made on the exterior of the modular mountain retreat.
Bob Vila takes a final tour of the interior. Also: a visit to one of the Berkshires' artistic centers, Shakespeare and Company.
Bob Vila makes his first visit to Elm Court, a historic home in Lenox, MA, abandoned for 50 years before restoration.
Bob Vila continues his tour of the fully-restored rooms at Elm Court in Lenox, MA.
Bob Vila takes his final tour through Elm Court, paying special attention to the fully restored sections of the exquisite historic mansion.
