Today we FAILED our plumbing inspection! After everything is complete, during inspection the system is pressurized and tested with a manometer. It didn’t work hold. It has an ever so minuscule leak. We had to take off every single toilet, sink and shower to get it to work. We are the only State in the…

I really love this picture of Minneapolis, AND you can see the Oaklands. It is the reddish building under the arrow about halfway down (underlined in red) Thank you @Heather McCarty for sharing this photo. The picture was taken in 1959, the year the Oaklands was renovated from an apartment hotel, to an apartment. Lots…

Look at how these Dutch houses lean!!! Now I don’t feel so bad about the walls and floors at the Oaklands. After tons of effort from us, our showers, windows, toilets, and floors are all still a little skewed at our historic building. However, if the Dutch can deal with it for 400 years, well…

This door, as far as we can tell, and we are pretty sure, is original and in its original location. In this building, that is utterly remarkable. It goes to the coal room in the basement, which is now our electrical room. Will cleaned it up and got it working again. It’s the only one…

Five days of snow. We are so grateful to have a roof and heat. We didn’t have that this time two years ago

c.1906. 3,547 square feet. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths on 0.23 acre. Sold but was listed for $1,125,000! Thanks to Toby for sending this one in! Walking into this renovated firehouse, you'll know at first glance you've found something special. This 3-level, 3-bedroom home boasts not only a 2-car garage, exposed brick walls, European fireplace, and…

Greg is amazing! Today we passed our FINAL electrical inspection and it was a monumental achievement! Greg upgraded our building from 200 amps to land over 20,000 amps. He wired 250 circuits, pulled miles of wire, and went from one meter to 25 meters! He wired Hvac on the roof, 25 hot water heaters, hundreds…

The hallways at the Oaklands are going to celebrate the long history of the building and it’s architect. Part of that history are all of the trades that came together to bring it back to life. Working on an old building has unique challenges that take special people. Kamba and Amy are drywall finishers and…

Ezra and Christina donated doors salvaged from houses torn down in their neighborhood! Thank you, thank you! We have a cool project with them! Ezra and Christina have spent years restoring their Painted Lady. If you read the cool history plaque, you will be able to discern its connection to the Oaklands: shortly after the…