Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Baltimore, Maryland (PRWEB) December 04, 2014

The south end of Charles Street was once a rather unattractive industrial area that lacked the same notoriety that the rest of Charles Street has long enjoyed. Over the past few years, South Charles Street has been undergoing a major transformation. The first major improvement was a new luxury apartment community known as 1901 South Charles that opened in 2012. This community brought 193 luxury apartments and a clean, modern look to what was once a blighted industrial site. Currently under construction, 2 East Wells is another major improvement to the area and promises to bring 153 industrial-chic apartments and 6,000 square feet of retail space along Wells Street.

The site at 2 East Wells was formerly the home of a large warehouse and office building that was adjacent to the 1800 block of Charles Street, the 1800 block of Light Street, and the unit block of East Barney. The buildings were razed and the property was environmentally cleaned. Construction on 2 East Wells began in late 2013 and should be complete in early 2015.

The buildings exterior will feature several different types of material to give the look of multiple buildings. The first floor retail space will feature glass fronts and there will also be streetscape improvements along the perimeter of the building which will drastically improve the look of the area.

2 East Wells is classic Baltimore, with its warm brick faade, industrial-style, floor-to-ceiling multi-pane windows and, of course, roof decks with endless city views says Josh E. Fidler, Co-Chairman of developer Chesapeake Realty Partners.

The interior will feature a mix of Studio, 1 and 2 bedroom luxury apartments with spacious floor plans and 9 foot ceilings. The finishes will include hardwood floors, granite counters, clean steel appliances, rich wood cabinetry and each apartment home will feature a full-size washer and dryer.

The community will boast a lengthy list of world-class amenities including resident-controlled access, garage parking, two rooftop decks, a state-of-the-art rooftop fitness center, a furnished interior courtyard, and a residents club with coffee bar, fireplace, big screen TVs, free WiFiand much, much more.

Whats even more impressive is that in recognition of todays environmental sensibilities, 2 East Wells Apartments in Federal Hill have been built to LEED Silver standards. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In order to be certified, the community must achieve standards for high efficiency heating and cooling systems, energy efficient appliances, high efficiency hot water heating, energy efficient lighting, and indoor environment quality, just to name a few.

Pre-leasing for 2 East Wells apartments in Federal Hill has already begun and interest in the community has been extremely high. If the pre-leasing activity is any indication of future popularity, 2 East Wells is likely to be Federal Hills hottest new address. For more information about 2 East Wells, visit the communitys website at http://www.2eastwells.com

Excerpt from:
2 East Wells Apartments in Federal Hill Bring Industrial-Chic to South Baltimore

Mayor Paul Soglin worries that Madison's main drag, State Street, is becoming overrun with bars and restaurants.

So Soglin is contemplating taking regulatory action to ensure that the mix of retail remains strong on this historic commercial strip.

"What's happening is, we're getting more and more uses that are what I call 'beverage-oriented,' everything from coffee shops to restaurants and bars, as well as bars that pass themselves off as restaurants," Soglin says. "The retailers cannot afford the rents. They cannot compete with the coffee shops and bars."

The mayor says he doesn't have any answers, but would like to start a conversation about the future of the strip, possibly calling for a moratorium on any new bars, restaurants or coffee shops.

"I think the solution is to have a community-wide discussion on the future of State Street," he says. "Do we want a State Street that resembles Sixth Street in Austin or one that resembles the historic State Street, which is more focused on diverse retailers, whether they be paper goods, gifts or novelties."

Austin's Sixth Street is often compared to State Street because it's a thriving college commercial district. But Austin's street is much more of an entertainment district, with large clubs and music venues. "If you go to Sixth in Austin, you can go an entire block and the only retailer you'll see is something that reminds you of Times Square, selling licenses plates or snow globes with the Alamo," says Soglin.

A long-term solution will take a couple of years to develop, Soglin says, but he identifies two possibilities: an "absolute ban on new square footage for liquor licenses" or an overlay zone, which would regulate the mix of businesses.

Soglin says he's resisted banning new liquor licenses, because that inflates the value of existing licenses. But, he adds, it's increasingly tough for retail to survive on State Street. "I'm looking for options that will secure the present uses on the street before we go over a tipping point where we lose most of the retailers."

Sandi Torkildson, owner of A Room of One's Own bookstore on Gorham Street, has long raised concerns about bars and restaurants pushing retail out of the area. She says cities like Boston and San Francisco have laws that require certain types of businesses to get conditional-use permits, to protect retail space.

Mary Carbine, the executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District, says that retail stores are in a period of transition, not just downtown, but nationally, as "brick and mortar" stores face growing competition from online vendors.

The rest is here:
Is retail getting squeezed out of State Street?

Published on December 04, 2014 Sackville's only National Historic site home to university president, vice-chancellor

SACKVILLE, NB Mount Allison University has announced a $1.5-million gift dedicated to preserving and reviving an important part of campus and Canadian history.

Submitted

Mount Allison University graduates Robert and Sue Winsor recently donated the funds ($1.5M) that made the restoration of Hammond House possible.

Montreal residents and Mount Allison alumni Robert and Susan Winsor donated the funds that made the restoration of Hammond House possible. The house is Sackvilles only registered National Historic Site and the former residence of famed painter John Hammond. It is once again the official residence of the university president and vice-chancellor.

We are pleased to be able to restore Hammond House, one of only a handful of National Historic Sites in New Brunswick, said Robert Inglis, Mount Allisons vice-president, finance and administration. The project helps preserve a significant home for the University, and the wider community. We thank the Winsors for their generous gift to Mount Allison.

Susan Winsor said Hammond House is an important part of Mount Allisons history.

The presidents house is a busy intellectual and social venue at a school like Mount Allison and we are pleased to support this project and see the house become a hub of activity on campus once again, she said.

University president and vice-chancellor Dr. Robert Campbell and his family host an average of 60 public events each year, welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni, authors, artists, and athletes to Hammond House. These kinds of opportunities provide the unique learning experiences and connections for students for which Mount Allison is known.

In recognition of the gift, the double parlour on the main floor of Hammond House will be named Winsor Lounge. This area is the main venue for events and gatherings hosted by the president and his family throughout the year.

Visit link:
Mount Allison alumni give $1.5 million to Hammond House

Restoration work on the Washington Monument in Baltimore's Mount Vernon Square was nerve-wracking and painstaking, but well worth the wait.

Mobile users tap here to watch video

The Washington Monument is the spot to which Baltimore turns every holiday season for a spectacular light display, but it is also a place of national significance. When the cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1815, it became the first public memorial to honor George Washington.

But sometimes even a masterpiece needs a touchup. There are thousands of pieces of marble on the structure, and most had some kind of damage from age or deterioration or constant use. Ultimately, the restoration team has had to replace only about three of the stones.

"Every time they lift one of the 1,000-pound pieces of stone, it's just a little nerve-wracking," said Lance Humphries, the historian leading a $5.5 million monument restoration project for the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy.

Since work began in January, Humphries has been standing by as crews lift and reposition nearly every piece of marble all the way up to the statue of George Washington.

"It just shows that we care about these things which are important to the city," Humphries said. "This is a symbol of our city."

The team has also shored up and repointed the entire structure, replacing thousands of rusted-out iron support brackets, the staples holding it all together, with stainless steel. The crews have installed new electrical systems, including power for the holiday lights, and finally fixed the roof, which had been leaking since the 1840s.

Last week, crews were in the home stretch of their battle against 200 years of water damage and delayed maintenance. The bulk of the work that remains is on the inside. The historic stucco and plaster finishes in the public space have been hiding private messages from the past for the last two centuries.

"One of our earliest discoveries were the signatures in the basement from 1819 to 1829, probably just tourists who came here," Humphries said.

Excerpt from:
Restoration work shores up Washington Monument

Thomas Ondrey, Plain Dealer

MEDINA, Ohio - Ohio's attorney general sued anow-closedMedina roofing company, accusing it of violating state consumer laws by taking money without doing the promised work.

Attorney General Mike DeWine sued Joseph Allen, of Fairlawn, and his Medina-based business, A Ki Restoration, for violations of state consumer protection laws.

The office said it knew of 24 consumer complaints. It estimated consumer losses at approximately $100,000.

The company's phone number has been disconnected.

In announcing the suit, which was filed in Summit County Common Pleas Court, the attorney general warned Ohio homeowners to check the Better Business Bureau records of home repair companies before they hire. The office also urged people to pay no more than a third of a home-repair contract in advance.

Read this article:
State sues Medina-based A Ki Restoration over unfinished home roofing jobs

The Tasmanian Government has been questioned about how it will meet the cost of replacing the two Spirit of Tasmania ferries.

The Government has announced the TT-Line will spend tens of millions of dollars refurbishing the existing vessels and plans to reduce fares.

Fares on the state-owned ferries will be cut as part of an effort to grow the state's tourism industry.

On Monday, cabinet signed off on plans to reduce fares on the Bass Strait passenger ferries by almost 15 per cent over four years.

The Tasmanian Government hoped the plan would attract an extra 64,000 passengers and inject $220 million a year by 2023.

There will be 42 extra day sailings by 2018 and and the two ships on the run between Devonport and Melbourne will be refurbished by late next year.

The exact cost of the upgrade has not been revealed, but Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said in a statement it would be in the tens of millions of dollars.

It will include refurbishment of the dining and bar areas, new seating, upgrades in cabins and wi-fi and internet streaming access.

The Government still intends to meet a commitment by the previous government to replace the ships by 2023.

Greens MP Nick McKim has used a parliamentary hearing to question where the money will come from.

Originally posted here:
Spirit of Tasmania ferry replacement plan questioned as fare cuts flagged

Laura Gaskill, Houzz Contributor

Have the whole clan coming to stay during the holidays? If youre wondering where on earth to put everyone, these ideas can help. From chic sleeper sofas and daybeds to trundles, bunks, hide-a-beds and air mattresses, see which of these solutions can work for you.

An attractive sleeper sofa. There are some really lovely sleeper sofas on the market today. If you have a choice, place one in the den or family room rather than an open living area your guests will appreciate being able to shut the door.

Overnight guests coming? How to be a great host

Privacy tip: Use a screen. If your guests must sleep in the living room, especially if your living room does not have a door that shuts, its nice to offer a folding screen for privacy. Set up the bed for your guest in the evening and position the folding screen so he or she wont be disturbed if you walk by in the morning.

Slim sleeper sofa in the master bedroom. If you have a large master bedroom, adding a petite sleeper sofa instead of a chaise or an armchair can be a smart move. If you have a family with a child coming to visit, you can offer your bedroom to the guests and take the smaller guest bed yourself.

Find a new sleeper sofa to add to your space

Bunks behind a barn door. If you host big groups of overnight guests often, this can be a smart solution. Built-in bunks are tucked into a living room wall and disguised with sliding barn-style doors here.

Comfy sectional. Just any old couch will not do, but a generously sized, firm sectional with chaise sections can work as a sleeping spot for a guest or two especially kids.

Air mattress on the floor. Placing an air mattress in a smaller room, like the den or office, is best. This way your guests will have privacy, and you can get the bed set up ahead of time.

Follow this link:
Tips For Squeezing In More Guest Beds

Hardiplank siding installation
Here we are installing hardiplank color plus fiber cement siding on a multifamily project at North Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

By: Crown Builders

Read more:
Hardiplank siding installation - Video

Roofing Dallas TX Call 214 503 7663
http://www.scottexteriors.com, We are your Roofing Company Dallas in Texas. Call Us Today at 214-503-7663 or Visit: Scott Exteriors 10531 New Church Road Dallas, TX 75238 United States ...

By: Jean Staten

Read this article:
Roofing Dallas TX Call 214 503 7663 - Video

Creating A Video For Your Roofing Business
Creating A Video For Your Roofing Business and see what a video for your roofing company is so important - http://roofingbusinessblueprint.org - Learn some great information about videos using...

By: Roofing Business Marketing

Excerpt from:
Creating A Video For Your Roofing Business - Video