Before + After Pictures: The Waterfront Condominium, Part 2

Many moons ago, I promised to share the elusive before photos of one of my very first projects, The Waterfront Condominium. I finally came across the pictures recently when we were packing, and I just now had a second to scan some of them. There were quite a few, so you can expect a Part III of this Before + After in the future. While I'm proud of what I learned here, this was a looong time ago, and there are many things that I'd do differently today. In any case, the oldie (circa 2001ish) pre-digital camera pictures are below. Check out the retro photo book style presentation, complete with Scotch tape and everything. (Believe it or not, I actually worked at firms in college where they still made these. That's what I get for rolling into the world right before the onset of the 80s. If you turned 30 this year, too, holla.) Keep in mind that these really aren't true before pictures, since most of the demolishing was well under way. Plus, the new windows and doors had already been installed. The real befores were full of flea ridden carpets, rotting cabinetry and moldy layers of drapes -- along with the random roach motel. The neighbors wouldn't come near the place. To say it was hideous would have been too generous. Anyway, take a gander at what I whipped up, and feel free to let me know what you think. (Seriously, whether it elicits feelings of mild disgust or encourages you to high five me, I really want to know.)

To see the spaces -- from way back in 2001ish! -- as featured in DigsMagazine in February 2004, click here. (Their article's After pictures of the place are a waaay better quality.)

Double click on the photos to view them close up.

Dining Room + Kitchen
before on the left, after on the right

The concrete torn up in front of the windows show where there had been an exterior wall that stretched from one side of unit to the other. The space outside of that wall, by the windows, was originally an enclosed patio space. The concrete was floated to match the interior floor level, and the ceilings and walls were refinished. All of the windows (and the door) are new.

Kitchen
before on the left, after on the right

The entire unit had popcorn ceilings which were scraped off and refinished. Talk about messy.

Kitchen
before on the left, after on the right

Emerald pearl granite countertops, pumpkin cherry cabinets, European hardware.

Kitchen + Entrance
before on left, after on right

Originally a narrow galley kitchen, we removed the walls. The floor cabinets wrap around the structural column on the left. The two walls on either side of the water purifier carried the main plumbing and electrical lines. Both had to be unexpectedly replaced. Replacing the main plumbing line has happened in several units that I've purchased that were built in the 1960s. Be sure to be prepared for this, and let the building's manager know that they should be ready too.

Dining Area

before on the left, after on the right

Guest Bathroom

before on the left, after on the right

Guest Bedroom

before on the left, after on the right

I designed the desk and had it built into the wall with brackets anchored to the concrete. It appeared to float.

Master Bedroom

before on the left, after on the right