In the Dayton’s Bluff historic district, husband-and-wife homeowners are opening their future “forever home” to the public this weekend — but be warned, while hard hats won’t be required, they will be offered, and for good reason.

Cory Vandenberghe, a digital marketing manager for Gander Outdoors, and his wife, Tia, bought the original Schornstein Garage — an old stair-railing shop at 216 Bates Ave. — from the city of St. Paul last November. They have been hard at work restoring it since.

The 1912 commercial building was one of several properties in the area that faced demolition if no buyers committed to historic restoration could be found. The Vandenberghes are documenting their progress online at therailingshop.co.

216 Bates could be conveyed to a developer in 2017 pic.twitter.com/v4u3LrAJnL — FredMelo, Reporter (@FrederickMelo) October 11, 2016

“It’s about halfway done. It’s got a new roof, it’s got new windows, it’s got stairs,” said Cory Vandenberghe, who received approval from the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission to effectively tear down half the structure and rebuild it to the property line. “For someone visiting, they’d be able to see how old and new come together.”

The Vandenberghes will open their future home to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday as part of the annual Minneapolis-St. Paul Home Tour (MSPHomeTour.com).

Since 2013, the city has acquired more than two dozen vacant properties for rehab in Dayton’s Bluff through the “Inspiring Communities” program. Several were later bought by Historic St. Paul, a preservation group, or other private parties. The Schornstein family ran several commercial enterprises in Dayton’s Bluff, including a grocery and saloon.

“There’s quite a few projects just in our three-block area around Bates that are geared toward historic preservation and are underway,” said Vandenberghe, who received a $178,000 subsidy from the city for the restoration work at 216 Bates. “It’s a nice start, but it doesn’t finish the project, by any means.” Related Articles Bonnie Blodgett: Winter here is too much for Mirror Bush, but not for Golden Prince, in case you were wondering

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Not every property will survive.

In December 2015, the city council voted to overrule the Heritage Preservation Commission’s decision to deny the demolition of 716 Wilson Ave. — the “Schornstein House,” which dates to 1912. The house, which shares the property line with the Vandenberghe property, has yet to be demolished and remains vacant.