Weeks 4 & 5: April Friggin' Showers!!!

Okay, the last week and a half has been slow because of record rain here in Richmond! I'm not kidding when I say it's rained four of seven days each week! Sooooo not cool!

Despite the set-back dealt by Mother Nature we were still able to make progress. The foundation bricks are up and looking magnificent!

There is one small issue...the front of the house is on a crawl space while the back is on slab. Once the course of bricks were layed out it ends up being like a 3 1/2 foot drop between the front of the house and the back of the house (or like 7 steps!!!) Dat ain't no good!! But, once again, Builder Rick came to the rescue. He's decided to change the back of the house from a slab foundation to a crawl space. Raising it by two feet means we'll only need like 2 or 3 steps to get down to the back of the house. Yippee!

Week 3: Let's Get Ready To RUUUMMMMBBBBLLLEEE!!!

Okay sports fans this is the week we've all been waiting for!!! After 8 months of planning, approving, desiging, bidding, redesiging, permitting and waiting...we've finally broken ground!!!

The momentus occasion happened on Monday, April 14 at around 8am. There was a circus of activity happening at Casa L'Armour! Earth movers, cement troops and eager looking construction types.

The process wasn't 100% without incident, though.

My lot originally had a house on it that was torn down in 1999. Well, when those jokers tore down the house, instead of carting away the construction debris, they simply buried it in the land! So as the footing folks were digging they kept hitting rocks that were left over from the old house. (Big pain!) It was fine on all the elevations except the south elevation. They had to dig down 8ft to reach solid dirt. Rick the builder says that's gonna cost me money! He always says that! Bastardo!!!

Anywho, I'm still dizzy with excitement!!!

Week 2: Floor Plans and Flags

Okay yall, so it was a slooooow week at Casa L'Armour. Apparantly the survey company Joliffe & Associates flaked and took a week to stake the house on the property. I know this is what happens in construction but I'm sooooo ready to get started I can't see straight!!!

We did make some progress on Friday when those punks finally came out and adorned my site with these precious little yellow flags. So now the footings guy can come out on Monday and dig the footings.

Progress, sweet progress.

In the meantime, here are the floor plans for the new spot. Enjoy!

Week 1: Permits and Trees

Things are picking up this week! (Yay!)

We got our building permits on Monday! It happened in RECORD time (by City of Richmond standards). If you know me you know I was all over Rick the Builder to get started digging up dirt. But stupid rain has us delayed and will likely be able to dig footings next week.

In the meantime, we were able to take down two trees this week. I'm kinda sad because I really like the big tree in the front. But the roots are gnarled and tangled into the sidewalk and would pose an issue with the foundation. :(

Here's a pic of the lot with the tree down. Like a relaxer...still need to touch up the roots. :)

Hi-Tech Imagery

This is a "photo realistic" rendering of the new crib! It was a nightmare going through the Architectural Review process (they had to review and approve the plans before I could get the building permit). They have VERY strict criteria for what can be built in a historic district.

Note the Hardiplank and Hardipanel siding! Note the wood clad windows! Note the standing seam metal roof! Exquisite!!!

My 40 Acres (Mule Sold Separately)

This beautiful piece of terra firma is my brand new lot in Church Hill! For those of you unfamiliar, Church Hill is Richmond's first historic district. Among its many attractions are St. John's Episcopal Church, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous "give me liberty or give me death" speech, and Chimborazo Park, site of the Civil War's largest military hospital.The area features restored antebellum homes ranging from modest cottages to the magnificent mansions of some of the neighborhood's original residents, the managers of the Shockoe Valley factories. These handsome homes reflect influences of Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian architectural styles in their construction.

My lot is situated 2 blocks from E. Broad street (a short walk away from the famous Hill Cafe). It measures 33' wide by 125' deep (this is really large by Church Hill standards).

My builder says that it should take about four months to complete the build (ha!). I don't think anybody believes me but that's what he says. We'll see. Stay tuned!