The Power House Art District (PAD) in Downtown Jersey City, the old Hudson & Manhattan Power House and a rendering of what it might look like in the future (below).

Some aesthetically pleasing materials for historic renovation / restoration.  RestoreDirectory.com.  The top two retail for $28 a square foot and the bottom two retail for $38 a square foot.

Recently installed by a contractor for a customer.  Great craftsmanship, but aesthetically not my choice.  Well, there is wide plank simulated porcelain flooring and giant subway tiles.

Brick 2 family row house on approximately 22’ by 100’ lot sold for $1,189K in Downtown Jersey City, Van Vorst Park Historic District, 4Q2009. 

Believe it or not, the below left hand two 3 by 6 tiles are simulated carrara and the two 3 by 6 tiles on the right are real carrara.  Difficult to tell the difference at first glance.  The real carrara is definitely superior in feel and aesthetics when held in your hands, but if durablility and resistance to staining is your concern the simulated carrara maybe an alternative not to mention a fraction of the cost.

Frame 2 family row house on the market for $619K in Downtown Jersey City, Hamilton Park Historic District.  Weichert Realtors.  Not too many frame row houses.

Photos of Brooklyn Heights fron the NY Times, ”Living In Brooklyn Heights”.

Photo of a brick row house on the market for $2.95 million in Brookyn Heights.

9.5’ Wide Row House Sell For $2.1 Million in Manhattan, ”NYC’s ‘skinniest’ house sells for $2.1M” , Associated Press.

Unable to find a mantel top to fit this fireplace mantel, we had to have it replicated for a cost of $340.  Top photo is end result and bottom photo is a template.

Article in New York Post, ”Duke 5th Ave. manse goes on block” shows $50 million row house on the market at the corner of 5th Avenue and 82nd Street in Manhattan.

New York Times, ”Just How Much Steam Do REITs Have Left”, some points of interest:

Dividends that average near 4%
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (PEB), a REIT that currently owns no property

These old pocket doors were stripped down and new track and mechanics were installed.  Stripping cost $500.  Sanding cost $300.  New track and mechanics cost $1000, labor and parts.  That is a total of $1,800.  New hardware has not been included.  Hardware and mechanics purchased at Simon’s Hardware 421 Third Ave., New York, NY.  Stripping performed by Dip N Strip, Hackensack, NJ.

Restoring an old fireplace mantel can require a lot of messy work and if you are missing any parts you will have to either search for original parts or have them reproduced.  This mantel and a duplicate mantel on the parlor floor of the same building required 4 days of cleaning, scraping and a light sanding to remove all the yellow/black soot and dirt.  Tile Lab Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper was applied and then Soft Scrub w/Bleach was subsequently applied with water and a very fine sandpaper.  The sand paper did remove the polished finish but it was the only way to get the marble this white.  One mantel is missing the marble keystone and top. 

Made with Love Artisan Bakery and Cafe, located on Jersey Avenue in Downtown Jersey City, serves coffee and bakery goods made with organic ingredients.  Organic bakery items at this establishment have a low keyed unique feel and taste.  Not too sweet yet delicate and delicious. 

The coverage and tint are decent.  Unfortunately after painting an entire house with this paint, I went back to tape and cut all the edging and the Freshaire Choice paint seperated from the wall when I removed the painters tape.  This paint does not bond very well with the underlying paint or primer and has a chalky texture.  I painted houses professionally when I was a college student and I would NOT recommend this paint despite its eco friendly properties.