Sunday, January 3, 2016

Fixing Holes Where The Rain Gets In

We can't seem to escape the construction. My Mother The Dowager Duchess lives in an apartment complex in Brooklyn that has been under repair/improvements for years. After the scaffolding was erected years ago, the start was delayed. Then followed Hurricane Sandy, which caused huge amounts of damage, which put the previously planned brick and concrete repairs and terrace/balcony renovations on hold. Things finally got back under way over the past year and are now nearly completed. But the hammers, saws, and drills woke us 6 days a week during our summer spent in New York. We were so happy to return home to our Mediterranean peace and quiet.

And then the scaffolding went up on our building. The stucco is being repaired and painted. The two-month project is now in its third month of hammers, saws, and drills. It looks likely to last a total of four months. Wednesday, the scaffolding finally moved around to our end of the building. I was told they wouldn't be working Thursday through Monday, so was surprised to open my eyes Thursday morning to see a vision of two men floating up past the front bedroom window. I guess I'll have to close the blinds. Serenity now! (Click the images; I promise you won't hear the noise.)

The Mediterranean in Winter
LOOKING UP AFTER THE SCAFFOLD PASSED THURSDAY MORNING.
ONE BUILDING, 12 FLOORS PLUS PENTHOUSE,
45 APARTMENTS.

The Atlantic in Summer (Brooklyn)
GOOD MORNING OUTSIDE THE KITCHEN WINDOW.
FIVE BUILDINGS, EACH WITH 24 FLOORS;
517 APARTMENTS PER BUILDING.
LOW WHITE BUILDING AT CENTER, AND STRIP MALL,
WILL SOON BE REPLACED (SEE NEXT IMAGE).
RESIDENTIAL AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (TOP).
UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS (BOTTOM). HMMM.


I'm taking the time for a number of things that weren't important yesterday...

16 comments:

  1. 'The two month project is now in its third month...', haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew:
      The portero laughed when they said it would take two months. He's a wise man.

      Delete
  2. Wondering if they are contracted or get paid by the hour!!
    Last two very similar indeed......the plot thickens.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wonder which is worse... construction noises or barking dogs and screeching children? Maybe that's like oranges and apples.. but it's enough to take one's hearing aids out and leave them on the shelf until the darned stuff is over!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sharon:
      I have to admit, I prefer construction noise.

      Delete
  4. Sounds like something "nefarious" is going on I tell ya!!

    or not!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ron:
      And to top it off, there are always apartments undergoing major renovations. And odd how no matter where the work is being done, it always sounds like it's right above or below us.

      Delete
  5. People on hanging scaffolds outside your window are always sort of scary. You don't really expect to have your privacy invaded when you are well above street level! Hope you and SG are coping OK. But most importantly - how is Dudo coping? I expect that Musy is unphased.
    Another great music selection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilma:
      They've been trained to be so discreet, too. At my mother's, they worked most weekends, which I didn't know at first. Until I was lying in bed on the 16th floor and three guys slowing passed by my window. I waved. They pretended not to see me. I didn't wave this time, but they also pretended not to see me.

      Delete
  6. I love high building because I live in one of them. Lovely song..

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    Replies
    1. Gosia:
      I do too. We live on a low floor so don't have the expansive view my mother has, but it's still wonderful.

      Delete
  7. Maybe you and the DD can do a 'Battle of the Scaffolding'?

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    Replies
    1. Bob:
      The DD wins hands down. Did you see the size of that building?

      Delete
  8. That would drive me bananas - I am sound sensitive and sleep every day with a mask and earplugs just to fall asleep (and I live in a very quiet neighborhood). Maybe the Spanish are faster at building repairs than in NYC? I doubt it though. Happy New Year!

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    Replies
    1. Cheapchick:
      The noise from outside is not as bad as the noise from inside. It seems someone is always renovating an apartment. We're about to start and will show them!

      Delete

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