Morton Uptown Construction Thread

It was October of 2003 when this thing started!


It's been a long road ... too long! Let me start with a statement. I hate contractors!


I'll be short for now just to get it started. I had been planning a theater for 5 years. I have been on here for what maybe 10? longer? no idea it's been forever! Anyway I decided to contact DE and get a plan. Then I started calling contractors to give me bids. I needed to expand on the house so the initial was a bid for the expansion room. I got anywhere from $10K to $80K are these guys looking at the same plan? I settle on a contractor that had good feedback and seemed the most profession, not the cheapest but not bad. A 4 week build took 12 and in the end I had to compromise with him just to get him to finish. Along the way he and I almost came to blows, it was a very bad experience. Before we go into that let's just say that all I asked is for him to follow the plan. He didn't. In the end I had to do a lot of correction myself.


Next we hired out for sheet rock. Another day another bad contractor... never started, never got any money either! I learned to sheet rock.


Let me say I work a job that is 40-50 hours/week and I have a side business that consumes another 20-30. During seasons I coach my son, Little League right now, so that does not leave much time to work on the theater. So here I am 2 1/2 years later 80-90% complete.


What do I have? Lots!

Some hilites:

• I have a DE designed theater almost completely constructed. Following all of the usual guidelines where possible. Acoustic floor mat, green glue, double rock, no penetrations etc...

• Some amenities in the theater, Custom built sconces by a premier artist in Houston(he designed all of the metal work at Cabo and that giant sax on Richmond), Electric curtains, 4 different star ceilings in 4'x6' panels(work in progress still), the column bases are getting veneered and stained.

• I have a small lobby with a custom built candy counter w/two glass display areas, 8 port soda fountain, popcorn machine, hot dog machine etc...

• I have a ticket booth that is actually my equipment closet the entire front of the TB is hinged to open and allow access. The TB is has an air return above for heat extraction.

• I have a very nice lightbox and about 25 posters, and custom lighted concession stand pricelist sign

• More replica movie props than you can shake a stick at, everything from lightsabers to The map fromt he Goonies, Austin Power's Mojo and the Jurassic Park Cryocan!

• All of my equipment... Sony HS20, Yamaha DSPA1, NHT Evos all the way around, Sunfire sub

I am sure there are a ton of things I'm forgetting... anyway before anyone says anything I've nickle and dimed my way through this, scraped off ebay and been rather thrifty. Also spreading it out over the course of several years has helped in that area. I still need seating... Anyway how about some pics...