Week three of the renovation is in full swing. It really seems to be moving quickly- demo done in four days, and then the next four included drywall and electric. Now, the drywall and paint will be continued, which means in another two weeks, the space will look entirely different.
Two days into demo, this is what the ceiling looked like. Ew.
And now, it has changed to this.
Bye bye, drop ceiling! Hello, 14 feet of swoon-worthy space!
This week, I learned that the terrazzo in the front 10 feet of the store can be restored. I'm very excited to see how it's going to look, once uncovered. Below is the terrazzo in one of the back rooms, and I love the colors, don't you? Now I just have to pick flooring that will go nicely with this terrazzo, since the majority is going to be another surface. Perhaps big coordinating tiles laid at a 45 degree angle?
If you aren't familiar with terrazzo, it's basically marble chips embedded in concrete. Terrazzo was typical in spaces like this one in the 40's and 50's. As this space was built as a post office, we're finding that the finishes used to make this space wear well with constant use are still in good shape 60 years later. Partially because they have been covered up for decades, but also because this building was built to last.
And who built this post office? Turns out, it was my attorney's father! I had met with him several times over the past month, and when I finally decided to take this space, I was describing it and he told me that not only did he know which one I was referring to, but that it had been one of the first spaces that his father's company built in the late '40's. His father and brothers built half dozen of these post offices and leased them to the government. He told me of the others that are still in use, and I even toured one several weeks ago to see the original finishes and how the space was used. There are all sorts of quirks in these post offices, including a special door that lead up to a catwalk. The postal inspector was the only one with a key to that door, and he could sneak in and watch the workers from above. The catwalk even extended into the bathrooms so the inspector could see if carriers were flushing any mail so that they didn't have to do as much work on their route! Boy, times have changed.
The mail flushing sounds like something Newman would do on Seinfeld!
Posted by: Shera | June 02, 2011 at 11:06 AM
"Newman."
Posted by: Allison | June 02, 2011 at 02:15 PM
I don't know if all POs still have the catwalks but I know the larger distribution centers do. My daughter toured one in connection with her job for the Department of labor. Any estimated date for the opening? I'm amazed at how quickly the work is proceeding. Already contemplating a weekend trip which will also incleUde a visit to the Amish country. I've been to Lancaster County Pa (former sister in law lives in Reading). I was always impressed by how beautiful the young women look without a lick of make up - the healthy lifestyle I guess.
Posted by: Donna | June 02, 2011 at 05:10 PM
Love it, Love it, Love it!!!! Keep the pictures coming....you are making copies for a scrapbook, right? The building contractors, the materials used in the original structure, the history? I can't wait to see it finished!!!
Posted by: April | June 02, 2011 at 07:11 PM
I LOVE the purse kit I bought. It has opened a whole new technique for me. I was afraid to try a felting project. This was fun and people are really impressed that I made the purse myself~
Posted by: Val Perry | June 07, 2011 at 09:27 AM
I'm 'tickled pink' about your good news and can hardly wait to see the finished product -- and play with all the pretty yarn!
My husband and I lived in Lakeside years ago and East State Blvd. was our 'shopping center'.
Posted by: Carole McCormick | June 09, 2011 at 04:28 AM