A New Casa In 2018 - June Construction Update

So here we are  in June of 2018 and we are STILL under construction.  We have watched so many projects begin and be completed around us and here we are.  Still building! What gives?  Well, the last two months have seen all our guys move up to the roof and complete an "add on" project.

Why an add on in this stage of the project?  Well, once we had the ceiling of our main living level in place we stood up there and saw the view.  The same exact view that we saw almost 12 years ago when we purchased the property.  The view that no one knows is there.  The view that was the one big reason we bought this steep narrow little lot in the first place.

We also knew we needed a few things that were not included in the area of the main house.  A laundry, additional storage space and a utilities(hot water, water pressure pump) location.  This 4th level location provide a place for all that.  So, we pitched the idea to our builder and he came back with a price.  NO price he came up with was going to be a good one at this point but we knew that this additional work would make a good house GREAT!  Plus, since we had open permits and a crew onsite we would be in a position to get the work done with a whole less hassle and cost than if we did the work down the road a couple years.

The addition is really four parts.  1. A perimeter wall around the open/interior courtyard that is open to the living level downstairs.  The wall will provide security and still allow for light and ventilation.  2. A laundry room/bodega space.  We needed a laundry and the bodega provided some securable storage space that would have some ventilation. 3. Utility space with an area for Ashley to work on whatever she can dream up.  The water pressure pump and hot water heater needed a dedicated space that would be out of the elements.  4. Outdoor terrace.  THE spot. Ocean view and sitting area and a location for a small bar/sink and future grill.

The perimeter wall is pretty much that.  Allow light and ventilation and provide security.  One side of the perimeter is a row of steel posts.  Sturdy enough to repel a zombie attack and cool looking as well.  At some point this courtyard will have a see through polycarbonate roof to allow light in and keep rain, debris and people out.  The roof will come down to the tips of those spikes.

Looking toward the front of the house from courtyard.  Window will be over bar/sink on the side.

Laundry/bodega door to the left, door to front terrace on right.  Living room below.

Courtyard wall towards neighbor's property line.  Pappelillo tree provides a canopy of sorts.

Steel spikes separating Ashley's work space and courtyard.  Doorway on left goes into courtyard.

Covered utility location.  No, not sexy but a great part of the add on.

600+ sq ft rooftop terrace with ocean view

Looking back toward terrace door and future bar/sink location.  Steel spikes visible.

From the street no one even knows the space exists and is totally unexpected when seeing the reaction of friends who have come by to take a look.  The terrace area certainly needs some seating and shade.  That will come someday in the future.  Plastic chairs and an umbrella for a while.  Some of these pics are a few weeks old but for the most part they are ready to finish floors, seal and paint walls.  The crew will then make their way to the lower house and out the front to finish exterior items.  We are told two more weeks.  We will see but we feel like we are soooooo close!  More soon.

A marked up plan.  The only one I could find.  Ocean view to the bottom of drawing.