Builder Dave Adams gazes up at his work outside 74-76 Monmouth Street Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
When a contractor drew gasps and cries of architectural foul by putting chintzy residential windows on a prominent century-old Monmouth Street storefront a year ago, an attorney for the building’s owner promised the whole whole mess would be fixed and the building would “look beautiful when it’s done.”
Well, redbankgreen was walking by earlier this week and the work appears to be just about complete. And the new contractor hired to do the work and the building owner are both confident that it all looks as beautiful as promised.
The old windows that were dubbed a mistake by the building’s owner. (photo by John. T. Ward)
“I’m pretty proud of this,” said builder Dave Adams who’s been doing construction and renovations in and around his native Red Bank for decades. “Honestly, doesn’t it look nice?”
The windows on the building at 74-76 Monmouth Street have been replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass and black metal trim on the ground floor and a row of overhanging retro metal sconces along the top.
Adams also said he had done extensive work to preserve the rest of the facade, including restoring the detailed brickwork and cornices on the top floors. He said he shot down an architect’s idea to put stucco on the facade as has been done with a neighboring building to the east. 
“You want to try to keep the old original look,” he said looking up at the top of the facade and the cornice. “Look at this, look at how much detail – the soldier course, coins, then you got the patina up there. That was all raggedy with holes in it. This place is going to look sharp.”
When we asked if he had installed the windows that drew widespread scorn, Adams’ eyes nearly popped out of his head. “F— no!” he replied.
The building houses Elsie’s Sub Shop, Fernando’s Shoe Repair, and a third vacant storefront where the windows were installed.
The windows installed last winter sparked astonishment from the downtown business organization Red Bank RiverCenter and others, including the building’s owner, Tish Reddington, who also owns Elsie. She said they were the result of a misunderstanding with the previous contractor.
She said she is very happy with the work that’s been done and how the building looks. But she’s asking Adams to make sure he adds one thing before he’s completely finished: replacing the classic screen door that Elsie’s has always had in the front entryway since the shop opened in 1959. Customers are already asking where it went, she said.
With an extra bit of determination in her voice, she said: “There will be a screen door on Elsie’s.”
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
