I don’t know what to say, other than that 2025 is not going at all to plan. Back in the long-ago days of 2024, I had intended - even looked forward to - documenting every step of transforming 9 North Bondgate from a sticky, rundown takeaway into a beautiful creative space. Clearly that hasn’t happened. I’ve struggled with the whiplash of transitioning between the wreckage of my past professional life and the possibility of a future I don’t quite understand.

The end of the calendar year invites reflection. I’m not gonna lie, it’s frustrating that we’ve reached the end of December and - on the outside at least - the building looks pretty much the same as it did nearly a year ago.

I continue to be amazed by how s l o w l y this project progresses. I haven’t posted an update for a bit because it hasn’t felt like there’s been an update to offer. But a few people have asked about progress, so here we go.

My expectations about more progress at the building post-strip out proved faulty. Not completely false. But there hasn’t been the injection of momentum that I’d hoped for, either.

And suddenly the strip out is complete! It’s remarkable what a team of burly builders can accomplish in a few short days.