Oct. 7, 2022
Demolition and renewal. When the new super, John, arrived at my Lower Manhattan co-op eight years ago, he quickly impressed shareholders with his talent and initiative and with the red, white and blue Captain America shield that suddenly appeared on his office floor. Until John uncovered it, this 20-inch iron disk with a star in the middle had been hiding in plain sight under layers of gray paint applied at least since 1979, when the Depression-era bank storage building was converted to residential lofts.
New York City attracts people who appreciate its history and yet can hardly wait to knock it down and start over. This cycle of demolition and renewal plays out at our co-op, where shareholders appreciate the beauty and history of the buildings exterior, yet inside our apartments we remove any hint that something existed before us. The exception is John, who enjoys seeking out and restoring items that hold memories of our buildings past. Because of his interest, we now know that the Captain America shield in his office is actually an iron hatch that once allowed for deliveries to the coal room under the floor.
Our own Building Museum. While the shield certainly is the most dazzling of his finds, John has collected enough items from the buildings endless renovations to line a shelf in his office that I call the Building Museum. The most recognizable are two empty beer cans Budweiser and Schaefer circa 1960 that were discovered inside a demolished apartment wall, their obsolete pop tops and contents long gone. Next to them is an iron chisel embedded in a piece of stone and cement from the buildings original entry steps that were tossed out during our 2016 lobby renovation. Hanging above the shelf is a beautiful shiny copper orb. John retrieved it and two other leveling floats when we replaced the buildings original wooden water tank in 2019. When John finds the time to restore all three floats to their original luster, perhaps the trio could hang in our lobby as a gleaming industrial version of a Calder mobile.
In the basement sits the buildings original bank vault not a safe, but a vault the size of a New York studio apartment. Its spectacular, with thick steel doors and locking rods the width of foam exercise rollers. Unfortunately, its in our commercial tenants space, and thus out of Johns reach. And yet. When a new standpipe needed to be installed in the basement, two metal rods had to be removed from the vault door to make room. Theyre not much to look at, but theyre the only pieces of the vault John could get for the museum so far.
Succumbing to the inevitable.While I admire Johns appreciation of things past, I, too, eventually chose modernization over preservation. After more than two decades, my husband and I realized that our memory-filled apartment had devolved into a storage space for unused stuff, well-worn furniture and unreliable old appliances. When the children moved out, we started a gut renovation.
Although he was not our super at the time, John would have been pleased that our demolition revealed an artifact not to be appreciated and removed but rather appreciated and left in place. On the perimeter wall behind the Sheetrock were the faded signatures of those who had come before us, including, I hoped, the original builders from 80 years earlier.
My husband and I considered altering our designers drawings so as to expose the old signatures in our new living room. But we learned that just as New Yorkers have to knock it down, builders have to build it up. So when the drywall crew arrived, my family and the workers gathered in front of the old signatures, Sharpies in hand, and signed our names under theirs. Then all the signatures were covered with a sheet of new drywall. Maybe theyll be rediscovered during the next gut renovation.
Visit link:
At This Manhattan Co-op, the Super Is the In-House Historian - Habitat magazine
- Pacific Hall Update | Week of Nov. 13 - Pacific University - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- The Versatility of Drywall in Architecture: Pros and Cons - ArchDaily - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- Homeowners are converting garages into everything but parking spots - The Philadelphia Inquirer - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- Gallery: See what's under construction in downtown Ithaca this fall - The Ithaca Voice - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- TikTok Highlights The Pros Of Suspended Seating In Your Kitchen - House Digest - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- Children of a generous heavenly Father | WORLD - WORLD News Group - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- $11M approved to prepare new cell to dump waste at Hartland landfill - Times Colonist - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- 32 Things To Help Make Your Home Look "Better Than Move-In Day ... - BuzzFeed - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- How to Hang Drywall in 8 Steps - This Old House - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- How to Hang Drywall Like a Pro (DIY) | Family Handyman - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- Local General Contractor - Garcia and Sons Construction LLC - April 13th, 2023 [April 13th, 2023]
- MX64 Installation Guide - Cisco Meraki - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- How Much Does A New Outlet Installation Cost? - Forbes Advisor - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- I could hear the cat crying from somewhere in here: Woman says cat was stuck in wall for 3 days after contractor put new drywall up - The Daily Dot - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Routt County Health and Human Services building project 'as close to plan as you could hope' - Steamboat Pilot & Today - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- She reported sexual abuse on the job. The boss told her it was consensual. - Minnesota Reformer - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- ACCS Innovation Center to be open in February - Yahoo News - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- ACHS teacher receives $50K Harbor Freight Award The Taylorsville Times - Taylorsville Times - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Industry Partnership Achieves Positive Results in Pilot Project Using Mushrooms to Decarbonize Construction Waste - Yahoo Finance - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Event space coming to former home of Marietta's Gone With the Wind Museum - Yahoo News - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- North Wilkesboro Speedway - ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS - Materials and Construction - Speedway Digest - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Have You Seen This Tiny House Stolen From Downtown Kalamazoo? - wkfr.com - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- SCC Lincoln Renovation On Track To Be Complete In Six Months - KLIN - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting? - Bob Vila - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- JLC LIVE Announces First-Ever 'Next Live' Presenter Contest, Offering Skilled Construction Professionals the Opportunity to Compete for a Leading... - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- BOSSICK: Filling the need; A look back at construction of Memorial Hospital - shorelinemedia.net - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Global Cleanroom Technologies Market Report 2022: Stringent Regulatory Framework in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries is One of the Key... - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Gibson Gleanings: 'Stay Warm, Safe and Dry' contractors available to help - Conway Daily Sun - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Flash Fiction: The Faade Renovation Thats Going Well - The New Yorker - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Best TV wall mounts and brackets for 2022 in the UK - Good Housekeeping - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Looking to save on home repairs? Your labor is free; 2 Cleveland-area nonprofits offer great resources to hel - cleveland.com - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Weed for the People: Catalyst Cannabis focuses on community, equity and accessibility - Studio LBP - Long Beach Post - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Eleventh Circuit affirmance of fee award demonstrates the long reach of an MDL - JD Supra - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Why summer is the ideal time to waterproof your basement - The Georgia Straight - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- GAMING the SYSTEM: The Scam-part 2 | Claremont Courier - Claremont Courier - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Roche brothers of Columbus consider themselves 'biological farmers' - Wisconsin State Farmer - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Flood damage has meant Bloomington firefighters have to work out of a temporary location - The Herald-Times - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Could 3D printing be the future of homebuilding? See this demo house - Bankrate.com - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- 20 products under $20 to help clear the clutter out of your home office - CNN - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Perth-Wellington municipalities to split 2.1 million in infrastructure funding - BlackburnNews.com - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Signs a Roof May Need to Be Replaced - Digital Journal - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Moorhead's Armory Event Center expected to be ready for parties in September - INFORUM - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- In Loving Memory: Obituaries Of The Week June 27, 2021 - Smokey Barn News - July 2nd, 2021 [July 2nd, 2021]
- Chubbuck City Hall remains on schedule for mid-July grand opening - East Idaho News - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Akron group rehabs properties and reputation of underserved Summit Lake neighborhood - WKYC.com - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- It's crazy-hard to find a decent, available contractor but word of mouth is still your best bet - Pacific Northwest Inlander - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Memorial plans are in the works for John O'Neill - Lewiston Morning Tribune - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- 5 home repairs you can DIY and 5 you should leave to pros - Newsday - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Patrick Industries, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2020 Earnings Release and Conference Call Webcast on February 11, 2021 - pdclarion.com - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- (Source: WABO Roofing) Work with the leading roofing company in Houston, Texas - PRUnderground - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- Daytona's beloved City Island library gets new protections from ravages of flooding - Daytona Beach News-Journal - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- PAL: New Board Of Directors, Clubhouse Renovations - Port Washington News - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- How to Design an Entry That Keeps Your Winter Mess at Bay - The New York Times - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- This Warm and Bright Accessory Dwelling Unit Was Built to Highlight the Garden - Architectural Digest - February 4th, 2021 [February 4th, 2021]
- David W. Trefren - The Saratoga Sun - The Saratoga Sun Homepage - January 27th, 2021 [January 27th, 2021]
- Contracts Signed For Attorney General's Residence And Renewable Energy - Government of the Virgin Islands - January 27th, 2021 [January 27th, 2021]
- Building Finishing Contractors Market 2021-2025: by Key Manufacturers with Countries, Type, Application and Forecast Till 2025 Murphy's Hockey Law -... - January 27th, 2021 [January 27th, 2021]
- Brand New Home with Basement Suite - paNOW - January 27th, 2021 [January 27th, 2021]
- Creating Privacy in Your Flex Apartment or Studio - Uloop News - January 27th, 2021 [January 27th, 2021]
- Pandemic hasn't curtailed progress on University of Iowa Museum of Art - The Gazette - January 24th, 2021 [January 24th, 2021]
- Repair phones, tablets, computers, and more with this #1 best-selling precision kit at under $11 - 9to5Toys - January 24th, 2021 [January 24th, 2021]
- Best Utility Knife Reviews 2021 - Pro Tool Reviews - January 24th, 2021 [January 24th, 2021]
- Building Finishing Contractors Market Outlook, Industry Demand and Supply, Key Prospects, Pricing Strategies, Forecast and Top Manufacturers Analysis ... - January 24th, 2021 [January 24th, 2021]
- Still a 'Grand' vision | News, Sports, Jobs - The Daily Times - January 24th, 2021 [January 24th, 2021]
- Top 10 Best of Screw Eyes Leading Brands Only 2020 - Best gaming pro - January 3rd, 2021 [January 3rd, 2021]
- How to Hang Drywall: Installing Drywall Easily and ... - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Three New Project Kits from Crescent APEX Provide the Tools You Need to Get Common Tasks Done Right - Herald-Mail Media - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- A conduit for flood relief: Calvary Baptist Church has distributed almost $250K - Midland Daily News - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Patrick Industries, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Taco Metals, LLC - The Elkhart Truth - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Global Building Finishing Contractors Market Expected to reach highest CAGR in forecast period :APi, Performance Contracting, Cleveland Construction,... - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Police Addition Costs to Increase - The Jefferson Chronicle - December 4th, 2020 [December 4th, 2020]
- Jail medical wing renovation expected to be ready end of November - Rome News-Tribune - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Once flooded by Harvey, the new home of AIA Houston and the Architecture Center is almost open - Laredo Morning Times - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- 5 tiny offices that let you work from your own backyard - Insider - INSIDER - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Behind the scenes of Butler's science complex construction - The Butler Collegian - October 20th, 2020 [October 20th, 2020]
- Impact of COVID-19 on Drywall and Insulation - The Shutdown of Non Essential Construction Left Many Construction Projects Unfinished -... - July 4th, 2020 [July 4th, 2020]
- Evin at Oconomowoc on track to finish by October - Greater Milwaukee Today - July 4th, 2020 [July 4th, 2020]
- Around the House: Cover up cracked patio with a new deck - Colorado Springs Gazette - July 4th, 2020 [July 4th, 2020]
- Building trade skills and a new home, Oakland Schools cuts ribbon on student house project - The Oakland Press - July 4th, 2020 [July 4th, 2020]
- Ace is the place with the Mean Mask Lady - The Bakersfield Californian - July 4th, 2020 [July 4th, 2020]