Progress

Three blocks to Soul Fish. Three blocks to Java Cabana.  Four blocks to Café Ole, Tsunami, Beauty Shop, Alchemy, Sweet Grass, Strano!, et al). Three blocks to the fairgrounds on East Parkway…

This home is so close to so many amenities. And, just in case you have not heard, there are big plans for the redevelopment of the old fairgrounds. A large, engaged crowd recently attended a meeting at the Kroc Center (just five blocks away) as the City presented its proposal for a $160 MM reworking of the fairgrounds into a huge youth sports complex. The impact of the 155-acre tract and surrounding areas will be very significant.  Even a casual observer would say, Cooper Young has probably never been a hotter market. 

Progress on the home has fired up and over the past three weeks the renovation has really moved along. The ceilings, walls and trim are painted--it is amazing what a good coat of paint can do. The original wood double hung windows, which did not work upon arrival, have all been dismantled, repaired and returned to working order. The storm windows covering them were already in good condition. 

The kitchen has taken shape and the cabinets are now in place. On the East wall, we installed them from floor to ceiling, taking advantage of the 10' ceiling height. And about the kitchen--just when we thought we had settled on a final design, we changed it again to allow for the better use of space, an improved traffic flow and more storage.

The whole-house fan in the hall is now working and will give supply lots of fresh air on fair weather days. The pocket door for the bathroom, and the sliding barn style door for the living room are installed. 

We found some great paver stones for use on the front entry and in landscaping. Once they are in place, this should pull together some existing outside design features. 

The plumber comes next week to install bath and kitchen fixtures. The tile was laid this past week and we are very pleased with the work. The bathroom, while small, will live large.

Altogether the whole house lives large. Those who have been inside cannot believe it is just over 800 square feet. Once we have the courtyard outside the kitchen added, it will be just right.