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Reviewing the Completed Demolition

The furred out walls from the 1940s, the oringinal lathe and plaster, and all the extra building materials have been removed from the 1890s Brownstone, leaving the original brick party walls. This allows for rigid insulation along the walls and built-out framing for the new windows. There has been a discovery during demolition -- original cornice work all around the perimeter of the front room, tthat was hidden by a drop ceiling, was found in near perfect condition. The plan is to restore it and skim coat the original ceiling, building back the areas where sleepers were hung to support the suspended ceiling. Now that the drop ceilings have been removed, the ceiling heights are 12.5 feet throughout. Looking up, Bob marvels at the quality workmanship of the craftsmen from the 1890s whose joistwork with cross bracing is still evident. Alongside the original joistwork is the cobbled job from a 1940s conversion that will need to be remedied during reconstruction.

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Installing Steel-Stud Framing Now Playing

Installing Steel-Stud Framing

Installing the Chimney Liner Now Playing

Installing the Chimney Liner

Leveling the Floor and Installing the Subfloor Now Playing

Leveling the Floor and Installing the Subfloor

Reviewing the Completed Demolition Now Playing

Reviewing the Completed Demolition

Clip Transcript For:

Reviewing the Completed Demolition

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" We're down to the bare bricks of the party lost. And we have removed not only all the old furring and lath and plaster from here. But on this. Back portion here where we had a 1940s. -- out wall that had. Radiator recessed into it and we've left a couple of things in place but. Mostly we're down to bare brick this'll give us an opportunity. To wherever necessary on an outside -- add some rigid insulation and it'll also give us an opportunity to. Frame to receive replacement windows this again is in 1940s. Contraption. That will be placed. We'll get rid of the room air conditioner will put in a huge double hung window which will flood the room with light and then I guess. The main thing to talk about in here is that. We had a discovery in the process of demolition we took out. -- dropped ceiling and found this cornice work that goes around the whole perimeter of this room. And it is in impeccable condition dirty and city but it's not crack that's not broken anywhere and it's through each one of these little brackets is what's referred to as a -- billion. So we will endeavor to. Restore all of this the ceiling itself. Probably can be skimmed over if you see all the holes that are up there that's where they had stuck in. Vertical pieces of wood that came down two feet to where the ceiling was dropped those were called sleepers and they would actually hold up. The that the new ceiling that was put up in the 1940s and this will be beautiful when it's restored. And one of the great things here's the ceiling height throughout this floor through apartment is about twelve and a half feet. Which is remarkable while we're looking up there this is the original joist work. Carpenters in the eighteen night. With the best materials. Doing a fabulous job of framing everything cross bracing everything so that there's no motion and squeaking but then look over here to the left where in the 1940s. Someone else and I'm not going to give them a title did that."

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