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Inside Out: Tom's Pre-quel

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Name: Tom
Location: East Village
Size: 600 sqft, tenement duplex

Tom just bought the top two floors (and roof) of a late 19th century tenement. It doesn't seem like much right now, but boy is it going to be great!

Tom enjoys a bit of the raw unfinished look, so when he walked into his newly purchased apartment, he had no hesitation to start ripping out the walls. While he doesn't shy away from DIY demo...

Do you have an idea for a house tour? Let me know! jill@apartmenttherapy.com

For all Inside Out tours, click here!
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he knows when it's time to pass on the job to a professional architect and contractor. Tom has insisted on keeping as much of the original infrastructure as possible, if not moreso. He is looking forward to his exposed brick bathroom/shower, exposed beams in the master bedroom and living room, and all original floorboards. A central wooden staircase will link the two floors internally. Stay tuned as we follow the transformation of these two little tenement floors into one custom made home!

Favorite element: the history embedded in the building and the roof deck
Years Lived In: owned for 6 months, not yet lived in
Biggest Indulgence: wall radiators

Comments (7)

Courage Tom! Rennovation is not for the faint at heart!

posted by michael d bailey on 2007-08-15 13:07:23
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hey tom -- these photos are eerie! i'm also doing a gut renovation of a 600 sq ft apartment in an old tenement building in the east village (3rd st between aves C and D), and this looks exactly like my place at the moment -- walls, ceilings, floors.

only problem i've run into: a 2'X8' section of the brick wall i'm exposing is new and unsightly (must have been patched at some point) and i'm wondering how best to antique it. (anyone?)

good luck --

jeff.

posted by jeffjay on 2007-08-15 13:12:41
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Wow, you've got a project on your hands. Keep us posted.

posted by art on 2007-08-15 14:02:21
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I would recommend underfloor heating. It's such a small space, it wouldn't be that expensive and it would save on heating bill in wintertime.

posted by art on 2007-08-15 14:03:33
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Wow, it looks like a really interesting project you have there. Do you have a rough floor plan for what the finished product will look like?


Also, how do you find properties like this? Do you speak to a realtor, search online- how do you find them?

posted by tallguylehigh on 2007-08-16 08:39:29
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can't wait to see how it will take shape. would you please post a floor plan with dimensions?

posted by godsfool on 2007-08-16 11:13:04
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Can't wait to see how this progresses, especially the roofdeck. We started out with a similar barren roof like yours.

Here are some photos of our almost finished roofdeck:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremyhollis/sets/72157601456578114/

posted by darwin on 2007-08-16 12:25:09
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