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Exciting news for homeowners: for the first-time ever, This Old House is coming to New York City. Bob Vila Kevin O'Connor & Co. are currently looking for a home to renovate in the area ("a great old house in need of help, with plenty of things to save and update"). Some more details on what they're looking for:
The project's scope must be "just right"— not a whole house, but more than just a kitchen. The renovation must be completed in about 4 to 5 months, with construction beginning as early as August and finished by December. The ideal project should already be underway with design plans and have the ability to be “fast-tracked.”Renovations are funded by the homeowner (though the show likely gets some nice discounts), and there are more details here if you are seriously considering it. It would be nice to see the Anthony Avenue mansion in the Bronx get some love, or the rooftop house in Williamsburg (though the show would like for the entries to be "historic"). What other homes could use some touching up?
For renters with homeowner envy and network TV, episodes featuring the NYC renovation porn will air on PBS starting early 2009.
Photo titled "Bob Villa" in DUMBO via SdosRemedios's Flickr.
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Ummm, Vila (notice the spelling) left the show in '89.
Thank you, other islander. I was just about to say the same thing.
And yes, that means Norm Abram is coming too, for those of you who are true fans.
They really should fix up that old Federal-style rowhouse on Greene St. just south of Houston. it is an absolute beaut but has been boarded up for as long as I can remember. But I definitely salivate over it every time I walk by.
I nominate the Madison Grange for a renovation. Granite countertops would look fab in that old kitchen.
I am so excited-- I love Norm and Tom Silva and Rich Trethewey and the whole gang! I bet they'll go to local manufacturers and artisans for those other features. And this is an opportunity for a NYC architecture firm, too, I imagine. Awesome!
"the ability to be “fast-tracked.”
HA HA HA! This is New York City, not some hick town out in the burbs. No way can this be started in early August and be done by December. It will take that long just to get the permits and a reliable plumber. The last item might be an oxymoron.
I turn the channel when it comes on. It means my cooking shows are over.
Kevin: "So Norm, tell me what's happening today. We seem to have run into a bit of a setback since last week."
Norm: "You're absolutely right Kevin. It appears that crack addicts have systematically punched holes in all of our dry wall and removed the copper piping. They also did a good job of stripping our bathroom fixtures."
Kevin: "I hear that's a common problem in this part of the country, but I thought we took steps to prevent that."
Norm: "We did, but apparently not a good enough job. Anyway, we expect Rich out of the hospital any day now as soon as the swelling in his brain is down."
Kevin: "Great! Let's go see what's happening in the kitchen."
Someplace in Sunnyside gardens
This whole thing could turn into a great parody based on ^ Dave's ^ beginning sketch. This will teach those people outside NY to stay in their happy valley homes and spread weed and feed on weekends.
How about a half hour episode of some guy sitting on a chair down at the building department waiting for a jerk, oops I meant a clerk, to call him? And at the end of the episode the office is ready to close and he is told to come back tomorrow.
true, let's see them get a building permit. not only will they tell you the office is closed but the next day they'll say the computer is down.
besides haven't this been done already, not TOH but one of Vila's spinoffs.
I want more Asians on Ask TOH, I like to see Rich flirt with them. must be plenty of Asians in Boston with all them post grads. and Black homeowners, too.
I don't see Norm on the show much, he's busy losing weight. and, I've read heroin is coming back and with the poor getting poor, I hope they have a 24 hour guard because those webcams won't cut it.
What 24 hour guard? The whole thing would have to be built in a week to meet the schedule. Plus there are all the idiots on the film crew and the lighting people and makeup and movie support trailers parked up and down the street and then they can't get deliveries because the street is blocked off and then there is a water main break a block away and a four alarm fire on the next block and a double murder suicide two doors down. Finally the president decides to make a brief trip to New York to visit the ambassador from Guba Guba which backs up to the property in question.
GOOD LUCK!
Oh did I mention the crane collapse at the condo they are building across the street?
To continue after Dave's episode:
Tom: We're going to do something different today, Norm. We are going to redo a new home that is out of character with the rest of the neighborhood.
Norm: I think they call them "McMansions" or "Starter Castles".
Kevin: Norm, what you will realize is a loosely regulated building industry here. Basically, if you had enough money, you can do whatever you want. Thanks to ex-NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani, our 2 locally hired engineers have the capability to certify plans without so much as a DOB review.
Tom: Yes, Kevin. This allows us to bypass the Department of Buildings, and get started right away.
Norm: Wow. No [BEEP].
Tom: We've hired Sano Demolition to help quickly tear down the house and clear the lot.
Norm: What are the plans?
Kevin: Tom will be razing the obnoxiously garish structure, and replace it with the same type of house that was once there....only restored to its former glory.
Norm: That sounds great, guys. These knockdown builds are quite common....only this is a bit of role reversal. I think the neighborhood would appreciate getting rid of the unsightly McMansion.
Kevin: You would think, Norm, but that doesn't seem to be the case. It seems that the local NIMBY's who protested the McMansion is also against our plans as well.
Norm: Jeez, it's always something, isn't it?
Tom: Guys, I don't mean to cut you off, but I've got a lot of [BEEP] to do, and I have to get started. I've got to find a supplier here for the slate tiles that match the other roofs.
Kevin: No problem, Tom. We'll check in on Ty Pennington, and see what he is up to these days.
"...Norm, you hearing something?"
"Whaaa? Whoa! Whoa! get out!Get out!"
"Wha...?"
In unison: "A crane!"
"DA CRANE! DA CRANE!" cried Tattoo in a startled voice.