Kiggins House Remodel

Updates for September 29 thru October 11th

2008-11-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

October 11th.:
The old roof is being torn off and replaced.

October 4th.:

October 3rd.:
A peek at each area of the outside. Lots of work to be accomplished yet but weather is not cooperating well either. . .

September 29th. :
Top front painted with new color. Bottom part with undercoating and windows covered in preparation for final coat of paint.

September 27th.:
South side of house gets paint scraped off in preparation for undercoating. . .

Note:

2008-11-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

OK, I did take photos last month --will try to get them up soon. I have been sick and also had to serve on Jury Duty for a week. Hope to get the backlog up this week.

September 26-- Kiggins Re-model

2008-09-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

I was a little disappointed that they were not finishing the front of the house painting today but I guess the weather had something to do with it.

Looks like the scaffolding is up for work on windows on the south side of the house.

Removing the paint from window frames. . .

I don't remember seeing this hole cut for a window in this part of the house. . .

Oh no! It looks like the window got broken -- the tree is a reflection in the window and obscures the crack somewhat. . .

September 25th -- Kiggins Re-model

2008-09-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

I tried to get these up yesterday so I can stay current but blogger was down for repairs so here they are today, a day late. Later today, I will go over and see what new things are happening and post them tomorrow hopefully.

September 24-- Kiggins Re-model

2008-09-25T00:03:00.000-07:00

These photos show various workers doing different jobs to get the front of the house painted the new color now that the undercoat of white is dry. The window sills are also painted. Isn't it starting to look beautiful again? The front porch is stating to take shape. The beautiful original woodwork is noved over on the left side to make the porch accessible from the front and not the side -- see original photo at the top of this blog for differences. The side of the house is still being prepared for the undercoat of whit paint.

September 23-- Kiggins Re-model

2008-09-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

Not many changes to other parts on the outside but now the front has the white undercoating on and it is ready to paint. They are trying to get things on the outside finished before the rains come. . . won't be long now.

Kiggins House Re-model September 12-22

2008-09-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

Note to workers at Kiggins House Remodel:
If you leave a comment , please sign your name in comments box. You don't have to ahve a blog, you can click on anonymous and leave a message. If you want a larger photo than I made here, leave an email and specify which one and I can email you the regular size photo.

I am grouping these photos, some made into a collage, all on this post in order to try to be able to post regularly on the correct days after this IF blogger cooperates. Ü It will start with the latest at the top and go back to September 7th. I don't always get over there each day but at least several times a week. A lot of prep work is happening inside and around the back where the stairwell was removed and the outside is being repaired and scraped so that it can be painted before the heavy rains come. Part of the third floor outside has been painted already -- in previous posts, you may have noticed a an undercoat of white and then the color the house will be now. The left side of the house porch roof is being repaired where the column was removed to separate it from the left approach steps -- see photo at top of blog to compare . . .

September 22

September 21

September 19

September 18

September 17
A pile of new lumber has been delivered --maybe to help rebuild the porch?

September 16

September 15

September 13

September 12
This was the day the last of the area that contained the fire escape stairs (when it was used as an office) was removed. It is lying on the ground. . . What a difference it makes to the house to have it gone. It was not a part of the original Kiggins House. Mr. Wood had to "cut off" part of the back of the house as it would have hung into the street. . . although the street is a dead end into the park, "city rules are city rules! The re-model is making the back of the house look bigger. The only part of it I will miss is the glass door (on the park side). It had an arbor over it and I liked how stylish it looked. . .

September 10th -- Kiggins House

2008-09-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

September 6 -- Kiggins remodel Update

2008-09-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

Friday, September 5, 2008 Kiggins re-model

2008-09-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Framing for the balcony porch at end of garage and above it.

This and following two -- scraping old paint in prep for new colors.

Old office furniture from the building hauled out to porch. It had been used for offices before Mr. Wood got the house.

Testing of new paint colors on front of house.

Dormer on third floor painted white. . .

Lots of outside walls remodeling.

More scraping in photo above and below.

View from the park. . .

September 4th --Page 3 of Kiggins Re-model update

2008-09-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

I can't remember what this is. . . sorry!
On the wall of staircase to third floor. . . A CLOSET. . . behind that bannister railing!
The stairs to the third floor are in a curve because there is no landing as they angle directly left.
I was curious about the cabinet so I opened it. Plenty of storage room here!
Staircase bannister to the third floor. . .
There were many doors that opened like this and one could crawl from ne room to the other if they wanted to. . . there were 4 such doors that opened into another room in the front of the house on the top floor that will become the office for Mr. Wood. Two of the door come from other rooms and two enter into it with crawl space.
This and the next three photos are the future office of Mr. Wood on the third floor in the front of the house.

This is a room on the west of the third floor. It will be their home entertainment room. They plan to install a large TV with speakers and comfortable seating to watch movies. It will be called "Kiggins Theater" after the person who built the home originally and also had a theater network also called Kiggins Theater, one of which is still operating in Vancouver. (I have lived here since '85 and have never gone to see a movie at the Kiggins downtown. Think I will have to look into that!) Mr. Wood said that he will put the Kiggins memorabilia on the walls there.
A shower is being installed here.
View out window looking south.

This is another southern view, looking towards the Columbia River. It has a special meaning because this house, when built by Mr. Kiggins on Evergreen Avenue, was located right across the street from The Academy. CLICK to enlarge. . . You can see the word, "ACADEMY" on the smokestack next to the Shilo Inn and to the right, the buildings of The Academy, whch are directly across the street from where the Kiggins house was moved from on June 1, 2008.

This is a view of the framing in the eastern part of the basement behind the garage. It will be living quarters for Mr. Wood's Mom.

This is where the garage will be-- in front of the apartment for Bruce's Mom.

September 4th --Page 2 of Kiggins Re-model update

2008-09-12T00:06:00.000-07:00

These are the stairs to the 2nd floor -- just above the window seat from the last posting.
There are several rooms here and one will be the laundry!

This is some more of that wallboard from the original house -- small pieces of wood put together with cement.
In the front of the house, two rooms will be their daughter's bedroom/living area.

The rest of these photos are from the 2nd floor but I am not sure what is what. The Master bedroom is in the back of the house connected to an outdoor terrace. . . right now all the rooms look the same and since I didn't write down what I was taking photos of, I am not positive of which room is going to be what for some of these.

Southern view from second floor.

September 4th --Page 1 of Kiggins Re-model update

2008-09-11T01:36:00.000-07:00

Mr. Wood told me last week that he would give me a tour of the house INSIDE next week. Today is Thursday, September 4th and it had not happened yet. I walked around the house and took these three photos:

Then, as I was walking around to 24th St. to take one more, Mrs. Wood saw me and we chatted for a bit. I mentioned that it probably wasn't going to happen like he said but I could wait. . . haha (The excitement of seeing inside was killing me and here it was already Thursday of "next week!") Just then Mr. Wood came around to where we were talking and asked "if I was ready." He wasn't sure (after my fall in July) if I could climb on a ladder to get into the house. I told him I WAS ready(BOY! WAS I EVER READY!!!!!!!!) -- I didn't have trouble climbing -- just with uneven sidewalks that I wasn't looking at when walking!

He stopped to show me how easy the old paint scrapes off.
Look beneaath the dust and see the beautiful patterned woodwork floor.
This is a built in cupboard in the front entryway where the living room and on the opposite wall of the fireplace..
This is a divider wall between two doors that opened into the former kitchen/dining room (I think.) It will be closed off on the left.

Left doorway. . .

Right doorway--notice the framing is the same throughout the house.
This is the living room. Straight ahead is the fireplace. There is a mantel that will be re-attached when work is finshed. The metal screens for the fireplace were stolen. (See one of the first stories on this at my other blog.) Notice the woodwork around the ceiling and down the walls.
This is the front entryway. The door is on the left side of the house -- the old Kiggins house had a stairway curving up to the front porch on the left.

This view is taken from a diagnal view of the room through the front windows. The stuff on the porch is from bult ins that were removed from the house already and other parts of the old house, like the column. Not sure if that column will be used again. . .

View from living room looking towards the back of the house.
Off the great room (living room) and to the left is the staircase. Not sure if this was original or put in later since it looks like the wood pattern extends under the staircase. Notice the multi-paned windows that open out and the BENCH underneath the windows! The view is over to the south where the Wood's have their present home that they remodeled also.

Right side doorway into the kitchen.
New framing in the kitchen area.

Side of the old kitchen dining room that faces Arnada Park.
This shows how they made the walls before wallboard was invented. All those tiny boards had to be "glued" together to form the "wallboard."
Not sure about this photo -- think it is a hallway view. Notice the wood on the floor here. . .
Can't remember but this might be a new bathroom area.
Southern side of the porch which I think he said will be a sun porch on this side.

Side of the balcony above garage that will face onto Arnada park. It will be enclosed.

Do you see Mrs. Wood down below?
Close-up of the fireplace marble. It looks like ceramic tile behind it.
The original fireplace in this 101 year old house.
Pattern of the beautiful inlaid wood can be seen under the dust. What a shame it was to have it covered with carpeting!

Bench and windows going up the stairs to the second floor.

Kiggins House remodel --Wednesday, September 10

2008-09-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am behind in posting daily shots but all are uploaded and scheduled for posting, each day on one post except the tour inside which will take three days because of the large amount of photos. Hope to keep up when these get all online. Thanks for visiting.

September 4th -- Kiggins Re-model update

2008-09-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

September 3 Update Kiggins House re-model

2008-09-10T09:32:00.001-07:00

The things on the porch were hauled out from the old kitchen and won't be used in the house. There is also a porch column which I have no information about its use again.

August 31-- Kiggins House Re-model Update

2008-09-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

First time I have seen the front door opened. . .

More August 30 update -- Kiggins House Re-model

2008-09-10T08:41:00.002-07:00

Temporary security.
The third floor in the back will be their personal movie room called Kiggins Theater after the man who built the house and started a chain of theaters named Kiggins, one of which is still operating in Vancouver.

Painting color samples to choose color for house that was consistent with history of house and their choice for today. CLICK on photo to see the colors better.

The back part will eventually disappear. It was added on and is not original part of the house. It held the staircase that was required for fire escape when the house was made into offices.

August 30 -- Update Kiggins Re-model

2008-09-10T08:21:00.001-07:00

View from Arnada park.
View from 4th Plain and I-5 Freeway area.

August 29 update -- Kiggins House Re-model

2008-09-10T07:52:00.001-07:00

This bench has nothing to do with the remodel of the house except that one of Mr. Wood's workers brought it one day and told him tht people could sit on it while waiting for their tour of the house! They will leave the bench in the yard because Judith collects benches and will move several others to their new place when it is ready to occupy.

August -- 3 update-- Kiggins House Re-model

2008-09-09T02:02:00.003-07:00

August -- 2 update -- Kiggins House Re-model

2008-09-09T01:41:00.000-07:00

August update -- Kiggins Re-model

2008-09-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

August 1 -- Kiggins Update

2008-09-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

Work continues on the chimney and the 2nd floor over garage.

July 31 -- Kiggins House Re-model

2008-09-08T19:11:00.003-07:00

Even tho my injuries bothered me, especially my sprained hand, I went over to take more photos. Today, they were preparing to work on the chimney. The scaffolding is in place and the bricks are delivered also.

July 30 -- Kiggins re-model update

2008-09-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

Work is progressing but I have no idea what is happening. This was the day of my accident and I went over and took three quick photos and went home to take care of my injuries.

July 25th -- Kiggins House

2008-09-08T17:23:00.000-07:00

Lots of little details preparation throughout before the re-modeling can get going full speed.

The framework for the basement room for Grandma. Looking thru the side window.

This entrance is going to be eliminated. I am sure the beautiful glass door will get used somewhere else, if not in this home.

NOTE:

2008-09-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

Something is the matter with blogger. I scheduled this post -- which I now removed -- temporarily for December and it posted it tonight in September. It will get posted again when I get the rest filled in that come first.

Update. . .

2008-09-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

I am still behind by a month of photos but I am trying to get them online. If I don't make comments with photos now, I might add some later. Sometimes it is the littlest details I notice that are different. Much work is being accomplished inside the house now. I was given a tour of the inside yesterday and have many photos from it which will get online asap AFTER I catch up with older photos. Bruce certainly has some wonderful plans for his future home.

Thanks for your patience. If you drop by to see what's happening, please leave a comment. Thanks!

July 22--Kiggins House

2008-09-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

Just views all around the house. . .

end of July --4--Kiggins House from 4th Plain

2008-09-04T16:59:00.002-07:00

end of July --3--Kiggins House

2008-09-04T16:40:00.003-07:00

end of July--2 -- Kiggins House

2008-09-04T16:06:00.001-07:00

end of July -- Kiggins House

2008-09-04T13:56:00.001-07:00

Just some views another day after the house was on the foundation.

4th Plain View -- Kiggins House

2008-09-04T00:21:00.000-07:00

These were taken from 4th Plain and I-5.

late July -- Kiggins House update

2008-09-04T00:07:00.000-07:00

Sometime in late July --Kiggins Re-model

2008-09-03T23:09:00.001-07:00

The back part of the old stairwell that was added on and not an original part of the 101 year old house will be removed to fit over the garage so that it doesn't extend into the street even tho it is a dead end street.

Did you notice the metal strips are finally moved up into place to connect the house and the foundation?

This shows portion of the back entrance that will be cut off to fit on property line and not hang in the dead end street. The basement will be living quarters for Mr. Wood's Mom and the garage.

This and that . . . and retaining wall and stairway . . . July

2008-09-03T22:15:00.001-07:00

More July updates. . .

2008-09-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

Just taking note of work being done/needed. . .

Yes, the beams are being removed right now!

2008-09-03T19:46:00.000-07:00

First the east and west beams are hooked up and removed to a waiting truck. . .

Then the north and south beams are removed. Almost not enough room in the park next door to manipulate the machinery!

One last photo with the beams removed and the house sitting on the foundation.

BEAM removal day!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

YUP! It's a new day and the beans are still there.

View all around after long day. . .

2008-09-03T18:12:00.001-07:00

This is how the Kiggins House looked after the beams were all lowered into the "window cells." Tomorrow, the beams will be removed.

Beams Removal Prep. . . finally!

2008-09-03T17:51:00.003-07:00

Ok so this did happen yesterday but it is related to the beam removal so am placing it here. See how the beams went right into the "window wells" when they were gradually lowered?

End of working day clue. . .

2008-09-03T17:28:00.001-07:00

I had arrived early, saw all the vehicles and workers arrive after me and now it was the end of the working day and the beams were still not removed! It would be another exciting day tomorrow! At least, I had a clue as to how it was going to be done.

It's still a mystery . . .

2008-09-03T17:03:00.000-07:00

I was watching the proceedings of the beam removal when my eyes were directed to the left of me. A fellow got out of his vehicle and installed this "pole" on the part of land the city owns adjacent to the park, above the freeway. I had no idea what he was doing but thought I would find out. I never did because as soon as he got it all rigged up, HE TOOK IT DOWN and left!!!!!

I included it here in case it has anything to do with the Kiggins Re-model. Someone will probably know even tho its a mystery to me . . . just like most of what they are doing for the re- model. I just see changes and record them with my camera.

Note about July 12th . . .

2008-09-03T00:45:00.000-07:00

I have been uploading for over 7 hours and am not finished with the photos from July 12th yet. I was at the site all day long waiting to see the beams pulled out from under the house. Lots had to be done first and during the process. More to come. . . one day I will be caught up and then just have to add daily visits stuff. That will be a good feeling. Thanks for your patience if you are watching the process on this blog.

Front Loader arrives to remove posts from "porch area"

2008-09-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

While the house was still being lowered to the foundation, a front loader arrived to dismantle the beams that held the "front porch" together before Mr. Wood put the pillars in place earlier today. The old porch was left behind when the house was first moved because it would get a new style porch at its new home.

A man worked fast at the dismantling process and soon they were dumping the beams into a truck to haul away. The Kiggins House is starting to look like a home again!

Inch by inch, house is lowered to the foundation wall

2008-09-02T22:13:00.002-07:00

These are various stages of the house being moved to the foundation. You can see that in some of the other photos I also uploaded under another heading. It was all so methodical! I wondered how they could pull out steel beams from between a house and the foundation and discovered why there had been various temporary "windows" made in the foundation.

July 12th update -- compressors at work

2008-09-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

The side beams were placed adjacent to "window" openings in the basement so they could be lowered to them and the house could rest on the top of the foundation when they were removed through the "windows" later. These are some close-ups of the work.

July 12th update -- compressor

2008-09-02T19:26:00.001-07:00

This is the machine that controlled the individual compressors under the beams to lower them slowly inch by inch. It was a long, all day job!

Kiggins House Update -- more from July 12

2008-09-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

Bruce is sizing up the area where the brackets for the porch posts will be installed and then he completes the task.

Update

2008-08-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

Life in general, including an accident, got me behind in posting on this blog and I hope to catch up soon. I keep taking photos but not as often as I wanted to do so. I hope to change all that real soon.