Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Diners in downtown Grand Rapids now have a new option when it comes to outdoor eating and drinking.

Three restaurantsGrand Rapids Brewing Co., McFaddens Saloon, and Stellas Loungewill be the first downtown to feature the new outdoor patios, all three are owned by Barfly Ventures.

Each patio has room for about five tables to seat roughly 25 people.

The parklets were made possible through apartnership between Barfly, Grand Rapids Downtown Inc., and the Downtown Development Authority in an effort to bring more people downtown and offer more, unique dining options for patrons visiting the area.

Its really designed to get people out in the streets, and really activate the city and make it feel more alive, said Chris Knape, spokesperson for Barfly Ventures.

By bringing people out, literally onto the street and replacing what had been kind of a boring parking space is now a place thats alive with people having a good time, having some drinks and food.

Each parklet costs about $26,000 to build and install, half of which is paid by Barfly, while the other half is covered by the Downtown Development Authority. Its a concept Knape says could very well branch out beyond restaurants to include other downtown establishments and storefronts.

We see it as a great partnership opportunity for the city because we do think it brings in a lot more life, he said. Hopefully people will dine here, have a drink, and theyll continue down the street and also patronize some of the other businesses in downtown.

Reaction on the streets downtown Wednesday among people out walking was mixed when asked by FOX 17 about the new parklets and how they would affect the area.

Ive seen the way people drive down this street I wouldnt want to get run over in one of those things, said Danica Huizenga while expressing her concerns about the patios being situated right on the road.

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Parklets debut in downtown GR, some concerned about safety, loss of parking spots

The green and white Cindy's diner sign has been a fixture on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock for the last 60 years. But the Googie-style sign is deteriorating, and the diner's new owners, Monique King and Paul Rosenbluh, are hoping the public will want to help save the sign.

King and Rosenbluh, who own Firefly restaurant in South Pasadena, took over the diner in January and reopened its doors in April. They've kept the original booths, wallpaper and countertops inside, from when the diner opened in 1948, but King says the sign outside is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the mid-century landmark.

"We felt like the luckiest people in the whole universe when we got it," King said. "Its a beautiful sign, its vintage, original and there is just something so important about preserving it and taking it away from being just a big pigeon roost."

King and Rosenbluh started aKickstarter campaignto raise the $16,250 they say is needed to restore the sign. The two are hoping to fix the rusted metal, attach a new neon "open" sign, structurally reinforce the sign and replace the sign's letters.

"The Kickstarter comes in because it's not just going to be finding the cheapest sign guy around the corner and having some sort of plastic thing made," King said. "We need to bring in somebody that really understands, more of a preservationist, than just the cheapest bid out there."

Depending on how much you donate, Cindy's Kickstarter rewards range from a four-course chef's table dinner to having a blue plate special named after you.

"We are commited to keeping this sign, we just dont have $17,000 to do it," King said. "We're keeping the faith that we are going to reach the goal."

King and Rosenbluh also gave Cindy's original diner menu a makeover with their take on classic diner food.

"People that are really looking for an old-school greasy spoon have found us to be a little bit gentrified, or too hipster for them, but we're not doing foie gras or foams or anything like that," King said. "It's eggs and potatoes, we're just using cage-free eggs and doing homemade pancakes and waffles."

1500 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, (323) 257-7375, http://www.cindyseaglerock.com/

The rest is here:
Quest to save the 60-year-old Cindy's diner sign in Eagle Rock

A cheer of "Go Vols!" Tuesday afternoon welcomed in the next generation of Vols, the class of 2018. Some have been waiting to call themselves volunteers for years. "I've been dreaming of coming to Tennessee sinceI was 8 years old to play softball here andI love the atmosphere. I love the people here. They're so nice," said Catherine Holmes, aUTfreshman.

Others are eager to explore a brand new city.

"I'm excited to make new friends and be on my own since I'm so far away from home. It's going to be different but I'm excited for it," said Erica Shin, another UT Freshman.

As students are walking on campus, many will see some new buildings, but both new and returning students will see construction across campus including the UTStudent Union. That's supposed to be finished in a few years. So far mostly freshmen have seen the newest additions on campus like the Fred Brown Residence Hall, but they aren't the only ones new to Knoxville.

It's the first year for some restaurants on the strip like BurgerFi. Managers say they're up for the challenge of feeding Vol Nation.

"Well we're excited and hope we get it right," said Alan Regenbrecht, General Manager of Burgerfi Knoxville. Still for some freshmen, they've got some adjusting to do.

"I have one class on the other side of campus and then another class 15 minutes later to the other side of campus," said Holmes. UT is in the middle of its welcome week.It shows students how to get involved on campus and make them feel comfortable.

It will wrap up Saturdayat 8:00 p.m.with an Orange and White movie night.

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New UT students, restaurants prepare for new school year

Aug. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Millionaire Hiroshi Horiike, who bought a four-bedroom, six-bath Tuscan-style mansion in Malibu, California, talks with Bloomberg's John Gittelsohn about his decision to sue Coldwell Banker and the seller's agent after discovering that his home had a third less living space than he'd been told. Both Horiike's broker and the seller's agent worked for Coldwell Banker. Horiike won an appeals court ruling that the seller's agent had a duty to protect his interests. Coldwell Banker, a unit of Realogy Holdings Corp., is asking the California Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. (Source: Bloomberg)

Millionaire Hiroshi Horiike spent two years searching California for a dream home, one grander than any he could find in his native China.

After visiting more than 80 properties in the Los Angeles area with an agent from Coldwell Banker, Horiike paid $12.25 million in cash for a four-bedroom, six-bath Tuscan-style mansion with a swimming pool, spa and guest house on 5.1 acres (2.1 hectares) overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

There was just one catch. After settling in, Horiike found the Malibu home had less living space than hed been told -- a third less. It had 9,434 square feet (876 square meters) instead of the 15,000 square feet shown in marketing brochures from the sellers agent, who also worked with Coldwell Banker.

Horiike, who also goes by his native Chinese name Peng Hong Ling after adopting a Japanese name as an adult, claimed he was cheated and sued the agent and the brokerage. He won a state appeals court ruling that sellers agents have a fiduciary duty to protect buyers interests, not just those of their clients, when theres only one brokerage involved in a deal.

If left standing, the decision could compel disclosure of confidential client information or force brokerages to drop out of transactions where they represent both buyers and sellers, threatening commissions on tens of thousands of deals.

Hiroshi Horiike at his Malibu, California, mansion with his three dogs: Shogun (the gray Weimaraner); Samurai (white Akita); Jiji (black lab). Horiike is suing Coldwell Banker because its agent marketed the house as 15,000 square feet, but it's only 10,000. Close

Hiroshi Horiike at his Malibu, California, mansion with his three dogs: Shogun (the... Read More

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Hiroshi Horiike at his Malibu, California, mansion with his three dogs: Shogun (the gray Weimaraner); Samurai (white Akita); Jiji (black lab). Horiike is suing Coldwell Banker because its agent marketed the house as 15,000 square feet, but it's only 10,000.

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Chinese Millionaire Roils Brokers Over Shrinking Mansion

Brooklyn, New York (PRWEB) August 20, 2014

Brooklyn-based lighting supplier and manufacturer LED Waves is pleased to introduce an upgraded version of the Amazon Waterproof Flexible LED Strip Light, their best-selling linear lighting solution for wet or dry applications.

The Amazon is especially popular with professional lighting designers because it transmits a more pleasant, higher end quality of light over mass-produced LED strips. LED Waves is now offering spools in 5 meter lengths with lead wire ends to better serve this market. Technical specifications including its ETL safety rating and its simple instructions for cutting, connecting and controlling remain the same.

The most significant change is the lower retail price of the Amazon. Previously retailing at approximately $12.20 per foot, the newer strip is now much more affordable at $5.48 per foot.

This price reduction was made possible by streamlining their online selection of LED light strips to only their best selling color temperature options: 2700K (warm white) and 4000K (neutral white). LED Waves has prepared large quantities of these strips, affording the company a bulk discount which is passed onto their customers. As is the case with all LED Waves products, other color options are available by special order.

Delivering over 100 lumens per foot at 4000K and >85 lumens per foot at 2700K, the Amazon is best suited to provide ambient lighting along bars, under cabinets, or around reception areas and nightclubs. For higher output, as needed for indirect lighting, LED Waves recommends the more powerful Rio Grande Waterproof LED Light Strip. (A similarly upgraded Rio Grande debuted last month, featuring the same quality construction and mechanical specifications as the Amazon, but offering 200% more light output.)

Custom cuts and pricing by quantity for LED light bars and strips or other LED Waves products are available through the Contact form at LEDWaves.com or by calling 1(800) 986-0169.

Excerpt from:
Lower Pricing and New Specs for LED Waves Amazon LED Light Strip

Kemp, TX (PRWEB) August 20, 2014

The GVP-48-2L-LED-D from Larson Electronics is similar to our popular explosion proof LED fixtures that provide an LED alternative to fluorescent fixtures. These LED fixtures produce more light output with longer lamp life and are vapor proof and impact and vibration resistant. The lamps in this vapor proof fixture are specially designed LED T8 series bulbs which produce 2,415 lumens and have a correlated color temperature of 5,600K. These fixtures are designed for operators who wish to replace fluorescent fixtures with a unit that offers better light output, longer lamp life with reduced maintenance costs as well as lower operating costs.

By eliminating the ballast that is normally associated with fluorescent fixtures, the weight of the fixture is significantly reduced and a slimmer profile is created. With solid state LED light tubes, this fixture draws less than 0.5 amps of power while offering durability and versatility that common fluorescent fixtures cannot match.

The integral aluminum heat sink tube backings provide cool operation and long LED life, while a simple latching system seals the lens cover to the housing and provides easy access for re-lamping. These units are designed to be surface mounted or hung from cable or chain and includes built in mounts. The GVP-48-2L-LED-D operates on 120 volts AC and is dimmable with dimmer switches such as the Leviton 6633-PLW. This fixture is ideal for indoor/outdoor applications and suitable for use as general area lighting, shop lighting, work space lighting, garage and warehouse lighting, and anywhere a rugged and dependable fixture with high output and efficiency is needed.

The solid state design of the LED lamps provides this fixture with a longer operational life without high maintenance costs, said Rob Bresnahan with Larsonelectronics.com. The two LED tube lamps in this unit provide more output and longer lamp life than that of a fluorescent fixture.

Larson Electronics produces a full range of industrial and commercial lighting equipment, telescoping light towers, explosion proof lighting, and LED work lights. To view the entire Larson Electronics line of industrial grade lighting solutions, visit them on the web at Larsonelectronics.com. You can also call 1-800-369-6671 to learn more about Larson Electronics lighting products or call 1-214-616-6180 for international inquiries.

Link:
Dimmable 46 Watt Vapor Proof LED Light Fixture for Outdoor Applications Released by Larson Electronics

An artist's impression of the new Wedgwood headquarters.

ARCHITECTS involved in the overhaul of Wedgwood's headquarters believe the finished development will attract "a plethora" of tourists from across the globe.

The 34 million master plan was designed for the 281-acre estate by Brownhill Hayward Brown (BHB).

It includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, contemporary company offices and a significant expansion of the Wedgwood Visitor Centre, which includes a new partnership with the Wedgwood Museum.

The majority of the existing factory will be demolished, whilst the remaining factory and outbuildings will be refurbished before three extensions are added for the new visitor facility.

The ceramic manufacturing facilities will enable significant increases in capacity to help safeguard existing positions and support future growth.

A linking corridor between the museum gallery and the new extension will ensure that the anticipated 100,000 visitors each year can take in the whole Wedgwood experience under one roof, including a flagship retail concept store, tea rooms and a restaurant.

Funding for the project has been assisted by a grant of 5.1 million from the Regional Growth Fund, whilst a residential development of 209 houses will be built by David Wilson Homes.

Andrew Hayward, director at BHB Architects, in Lichfield, said: "One of our primary aims was to ensure that the facilities were designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind whilst also making the finished site a real destination for the plethora of visitors and tourists that Wedgwood attracts."

Work on the site is expected to be completed by early 2015, with the Wedgwood visitor experience fully open by Easter 2015.

See the original post:
Architects design new Wedgwood HQ with efficiency in mind

CrossIron Mills mall is getting bigger.

Construction will begin on the one million square foot shopping centre in the new year to create an additional 46,000 square feet of retail space.

With greater Calgarys tremendous population growth rate and high disposable income, we are capitalizing on the opportunity to expand CrossIron Mills to welcome more world-class premium outlet brands that are seeking a truly successful retail destination with a proven track record, said John Scott, senior vice president for Ivanho Cambridge, the company that owns the mall.

The $60 million expansion will relocate the food court and increase the food vendors from 14 to 16 and provide an additional 200 seats. It will also create more space in a high-traffic area for additional retailers, said Scott.

By expanding and relocating CrossIron Mills hugely popular food court, were increasing retail opportunities for outlet brands in two prime areas within the centre, he added.

Work will start in January 2015 and is expected to be complete in two phases with the first phase opening in spring 2016 and the second the following spring.

CrossIron Mills opened in 2009 and covers more than 200 specialty stores and brand outlets.

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Mall to expand

(PRWEB) August 20, 2014

According to a new market research report "Smart Glass market by technology (Electrochromics, SPD, Liquid Crystal, Microblinds, Thermographic and Photochromics), by application (Architectural, Transportation, Solar power generation, Electronics & others), by geography - Global Forecast to 2014 - 2020", published by MarketsandMarkets, the value of Smart glass market was worth $1581.4 Million in 2013, and is expected to reach $5814 Million by 2020, at an estimated CAGR of 20% from 2014 to 2020.

Browse 131 market data Tables and 61 Figures spread through 520 Pages on "Smart Glass market - Global Forecast to 2020". http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/smart-glass-market-907.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomization.asp?id=907

"Smart Glass" is also known as "Switchable glass". It is a kind of glass which changes its light transmission properties when provided with stimulus such as light, voltage or heat. In its application to windows, smart glass is also referred as 'Smart windows' which can control the amount of light passing through them. When activated, the glass changes from transparent to translucent, blocking some or all wavelengths of light. In this way, a chromogenic smart window responds to heat, light and voltage.

"Smart Glass" from its early introduction in 1986, has evolved enormously and witnessed a commercialization after 2000. Traditionally, applications of Smart Glass were limited to a few experimental projects but now potential applications of Smart Glass has reached various sectors such as architectural, transportation, power generation (solar) and electronics & others.

The architectural segment is recognized as a major market for smart glass. Due to its ability to allow or block the light and (thereby heat), smart glass has been increasingly used in commercial and residential buildings in the form of windows, doors, sky lights, partitions and so on. In addition, transportation sector (automotive, bus/rail, aerospace, marine) is another significant market which holds the potential for growth, in terms of demand, for smart glass. Adoption of "smart windows" in aviation sector is started by Boeing Company. This aviation player used smart windows in 787 Dreamliner aircraft to offer passengers customize luxurious experience. In order to further analyze the integration of smart windows in Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, a case study based on the same is included in this report.

The technological development is expected to lead the growth of smart glass in various commercial applications. Smart glass technologies covered in this report are, Thermochromic, Suspended particle device (SPD), Electrochromic (EC), Liquid crystal (LC)/ Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), Photochromic and so on. In addition to this, the latest, emerging smart glass technology 'Micro blinds' are analyzed.

It is expected that in the coming years, healthcare sector will adopt smart glass products in order to achieve healthy and natural ambience in cost efficient manner. Need of energy efficient products, presence of key industry players will continue to be the driving factors for making Americas and Europe as the major market places for smart glass. Also, APAC and RoW are expected to show rapid growth in coming years due to the presence of developing economies such as China and India.

The report has segmented the Smart Glass Market by technology, application and geography. It provides thorough analysis of the present market scenario and its projection till 2020. The report also captures the market roadmap with market size estimates, revenue forecasts, value chain, leading players, and their key developments, strategies, and profile. Besides, major smart glass technologies have been discussed in the report. Whereas, the geographical segmentation section gives the Smart Glass Market for various geographical regions namely: North America, Europe, APAC, RoW and Latin America.

Continued here:
Smart Glass Market by Technology Worth $5814 Million by 2020 New Report by MarketsandMarkets

Wednesday, August 20, 10:35 AM EDT

Compiled by Max Marbut

In 2011, 77-year-old James Aldridge hired a contractor to repair a damaged roof and perform other home improvements.

The contractor was given close to $30,000 to complete a number of projects throughout the house. Shortly after being hired, the contractor did not return to the job.

The house was left with a leaking roof, torn-out kitchen, unusable bathroom and a hazardous carport connected to the house. The property was not safe enough for Aldridge to continue living there. He notified police and the contractor has been arrested.

However, the money was not recoverable and Aldridge could not afford to pay another contractor to complete the repairs. He has been living with a family friend while looking for a solution to his dilemma.

Aldridge found help from Paul Davis. The restoration firm decided to donate the home improvements through the companys Restoring America program, which provides restoration and repairs to many residents in Northeast Florida.

The work will include demolition of the carport, replacement of rotten wood and stabilization of the structure, removing and replacing the roof, installation of kitchen cabinets, countertops and backsplash, rewiring circuits for appliances and installing a bathroom sink and toilet.

Paul Davis employees are volunteering and working alongside trade partners, including Stonebridge Construction, a local firm that donated materials to complete the roof.

Each year, we partner with building professionals and support team members to restore a well-deserving candidates home within our community, said Nate Moore, project manager with Paul Davis Restoration. When we heard about what happened to Mr. Aldridge, we immediately knew he would be a perfect candidate and we are happy to help him.

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Nonprofit news: Paul Davis Restoration helps homeowner who was taken advantage of by contractor