Ghost Stories

We pass them everyday without giving them a second thought. Their influence on our consumptive impulses has long since passed. Yet they linger - fading over time until their clouded message loses its connection to our modern world... These few samples are tucked away in alley ways and side streets - no longer frequented by the retail public that were once drawn in.

We're Beaming!

Gloss black paint has been applied to the exposed iron I-beams that support our roof. The exposed ceiling joists have been stained and sealed and we are very pleased with the way the colors compliment each other. The original brick surfaces add additional contrast to the newly finished ceiling components.

Neighborhood Relic

Our recently exposed sign was last painted in the early 1970's. This is a northeastern exposure and has weathered remarkably well. A similar sign painted on the southwestern end of the building endured direct sunlight and was forever needing a touch-up. Earlier photos of the sign referenced our plumbing roots - pipe, valves and fittings. In this rendition, only industrial supplies are highlighted.

The sign was painted repeatedly over the years and served for all intents and purpose as our only visible advertisement. As lowly wholesalers, the Brammall name was spread by word of mouth and reputation throughout Southwest Michigan's thriving industrial community.

No TV. No radio. No print media. Just people talking to people. Hmmmm.

As we return our focus to the exterior of our building the nagging question remains: what to do with the sign? Remove? Re-Paint and restore? Or seal as-is and capture the moment -this snapshot of our past... ?

Sealing the Ceiling

We have begun to finish the exposed wood joist ceiling in one of our units (#2). Above left, an un-finished view and below, the same view after being stained and sealed. We are pleased with the warmth and dimension that the stain has provided. The painters have reluctantly acknowledged that the task is more than they expected - they must finish two vertical sides of a joist as well as the cross braces and the horizontal ceiling itself - more than 3 times the effort over a simple drywall ceiling spray job!

The Inside Story

From the interior of the cinder block space shown in the prior post, new light falls on a previously dark interior. This space will become a kitchen and living room for what we affectionately refer to as UNIT FOUR. At 1300 square feet, the view from the unit on to the roof-top deck expands this space dramatically. Your basic ranch home picture window - NOT!

A New View...

Picture yourself on a roof-top deck located between two buildings. You have walked out from a landing area at the top of the stairway from the first floor. The deck faces northwest, overlooking railroad tracks and a soon to be completed golf course practice complex. On your left a cinder block wall gives way to a series of windows that opens up a spectacular view for one of our residential units.

Rooms With a View

From the outside, headers are installed along the block wall prior to window installation. The area to the right of this wall will become our lofts' roof-top patio area. In the distance a blanket of snow conceals the verdant green of the driving range of Benton Harbor's soon to be completed Habor Shores Golf Course.

The newly installed windows provide welcome light to the warehouse interior.