We have been following the restoration of 245 Lenox (north of 122nd Street) for some time and some of the detail work on the facade now seems to be coming along. When restoring brownstone surfaces, a scratch coat is applied first to dry so that the second coat of concrete and sand mixture can adhere to it when the weather gets warm enough. The top photo shows the workers analyzing a column out front that had its scratch coat covered in the stucco-like mixture (at left). The right column went through a similar process but had the fluted grooves carved in at some point. The amazing thing is that it's all done by hand, so this is truly an art form. The middle photo shows the same view yesterday and both columns are ready to go. One of the final steps would eventually tint the entire surface to the desired brownstone color. The last photo is the neighboring building at number 243 which has yet to go through this transformation. All photos by Ulysses
also featuring a way cool lamp hanging under the portico.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this done where the cement is cast and allowed to set and then the contractor creates the detail with a cutting tool like an angle grinder in the hard cement, much like a sculptor working with stone. These guys should be members of the masonic lodge as they really are modern day masons and craftsmen.
ReplyDeleteOne criticism of their work is they have added no brown coloring to the sand cement mix leaving the cement its natural grey color. The contractor will paint over the grey cement facade with a brownstone colored paint. In time the paint will ultimately come away and look terrible as the grey cement shows through. It does not cost much for the brown cement coloring but most contractors omit this.
ReplyDeleteThe contractor doing the rennovation, (also the owner) has screwed over many many homeowners in harlem over the the last several years. 15 to be precise. I would be more than willing to show anybody multiple instances of what I'm talking about, including the owner of this blog.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. Really glad to see the restoration of that beauty. And I, too, love the lamp! Nice touch.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know more information about the contractor, 12:08am. We are interviewing contractors, and he was one that was highly recommended...
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like more information about the contractor post another comment with some contact information so I can show you what we're talking about. I have hundreds of photos from multiple properties as well as reports.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know who recommended them considering that just about everybody he has done work for over the last several years would love to see him prosecuted and in prison for fraud and theft of materials and labor!
I haven't included my contact info for obvious reasons, but will respond to you right away if you are interested.
could you please send an email to manhattansrealtor@gmail.com? I'm curious about the contractor/owner as I am currently showing some of their properties and would prefer to know history before renting something bad to a client.
ReplyDeleteThanks!