5201 W. BELL PLAINE - STARTUP

5201 W. BELLE PLAINE

5201 belle plaine front elevation

Our next renovation project is now underway.  Located in a great residential section of Portage Park just a few blocks west of the recent Cullom project  The single family home is a one story, stucco clad bungalow built in 1912.  We are giving it a facelift and complete renovation for it's 101 year anniversary. 


demolition -- piles of insulation, lath, plaster, etc.

The first floor has been completely gutted down to the wood studs.  Most of the interior walls will be removed to create an open floor plan with multiple living areas and the required services spaces.   A completely new second floor addition will transform the current building into a 2800 square foot, two story residence with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.  The first floor will be about 1,450 square feet and will include a front sunroom, living room, dining room,  home office / bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, family room, breakfast room and mud room.  An interior stair leading to the new second floor will be located at the front entry.  Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry room and a furnace room will complete the second floor.  Two new roof dormers located on the east and west sides will help to create the required volumes for the bedrooms and bathrooms. 



front elevation without overgrown bushes and trees

By just removing the dying trees and the overgrown bushes,  one elderly neighbor has already commented on how much better the house looks.  The gas company has installed new gas lines and has fortunately re-sodded the parkway.  In order to avoid the upcoming winter weather,  I have done some landscaping on the front and back of the house.  



rear yard landscaping - juniper, wintercreeper, porcupine grass, boxwoods, silver maple and cistena plum bush.
 

 

front yard landscaping - rhododendron,boxwoods, hostas, winercreeper and long needle pine

The basement foundation walls were cleaned and sealed and the interior wall framing is being assembled. The lower level will have another family room, bonus room and large utility room with storage and a rear exit to the outside. 

basement wall framing

The existing garage and slab have been removed.  Next week a new concrete slab will be poured in preparation for the new two car garage.  Wall framing will continue in the basement and first floor.  The roof tear-off and second floor will start by the end of the month.


We will have the house renovation complete by early 2014.  Check back for progress and updates.  Please inform any friends or associates who might be interested in a modern, open plan renovated home in Portage Park.