Deb Kuntzi, left, executive director of the Hauberg Estate, and Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms check out the newly renovated Andrew’s Place apartment on the second floor of the Hauberg Carriage House, 1300 24th St., Rock Island, on Monday, Dec. 16. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Deb Kuntzi says she is convinced that a ghost is hanging around the newly renovated Adam’s Place apartment located on the Hauberg Estate at 1300 24th St. in Rock Island. That three-bedroom apartment – on the second floor of the carriage house on the historic mansion estate – was the center of attention on Monday, […]
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Deb Kuntzi says she is convinced that a ghost is hanging around the newly renovated Adam’s Place apartment located on the Hauberg Estate at 1300 24th St. in Rock Island.That three-bedroom apartment – on the second floor of the carriage house on the historic mansion estate – was the center of attention on Monday, Dec. 16. Dozens from the Rock Island community attended a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the new apartment.
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A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held Monday, Dec. 16, for the newly renovated Andrew’s Place apartment on the second floor of the Hauberg Carriage House, 1300 24th St., Rock Island. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Here are some glasses in the newly renovated Andrew’s Place apartment on the second floor of the Hauberg Carriage House, 1300 24th St., Rock Island. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is the kitchen of the newly renovated Andrew’s Place apartment above Hauberg Carriage House, 1300 24th St., Rock Island. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is the dining room of the newly renovated Andrew’s Place apartment on the second floor of the Hauberg Carriage House, 1300 24th St., Rock Island. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is one of the bedrooms of the newly renovated Andrew’s Place apartment above Hauberg Carriage House, 1300 24th St., Rock Island. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is one of the hallways of the newly renovated Andrew’s Place apartment above Hauberg Carriage House, 1300 24th St., Rock Island. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
That three-bedroom apartment – on the second floor of the carriage house on the historic mansion estate – was the center of attention on Monday, Dec. 16. Dozens from the Rock Island community attended a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the new apartment.
Andrew’s Place is named after Andrew Reitz, the driver for the Denkmann Hauberg family for more than 50 years. Mr. Reitz, his wife and three children lived in the apartment during his employment.
“This is a well use of the space. … I can see a lot of hard work went into this place,” said Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms as he toured the kitchen of the apartment Monday.Andrew’s Place is named after Andrew Reitz, the driver for the Denkmann Hauberg family for more than 50 years. Mr. Reitz, his wife and three children lived in the apartment during his employment.He retired from his job with the family in 1932 at the age of 72, and died on Jan. 29, 1940, according to information on the Hauberg Estate website. But his spirit is still roaming the rooms and hallways in the apartment, said Ms. Kuntzi, executive director of the Hauberg Estate. “We believe Andrew is still around here,” she said, adding that she hopes the ghost of Mr. Reitz likes the renovated living space.During Monday’s ceremony, it appeared all the living guests were impressed by Andrew’s Place.Work started on the 2,400-square-foot apartment in July 2023, with new plaster, paint, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and refinishing of the original wooden floors.
$125,000 raised for work
Renovations were funded with $125,000 raised by Friends of Hauberg Civic Center Foundation through private donations and a Moline Regional Community Foundation grant; and $25,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the City of Rock Island for the fire sprinkler system.For many years, the apartment was available to rent to City of Rock Island employees. But since about 2015, the apartment space has been empty, said Ms. Kuntzi.Now, after the extensive renovations, Andrew’s Place is available to vacation renters and is listed on Airbnb. (Go here for more information.) The vacation home rental site has Andrew's Place listed for $680 a night. Here’s what the Airbnb website said about the remodeled space: “Andrew's Place is located at Hauberg Estate, a 10-acre historic landmarked property in the middle of a quiet neighborhood. This 2,400-square-foot spacious and unique apartment is on the second floor of the Carriage Haus, which was the Hauberg family's driver's home. You can watch the deer as you relax on the loggia with your favorite adult beverage. The apartment is decorated in the 1910 prairie style design with touches of Victorian to create a very special atmosphere.”“Revenue generated from renting Andrew’s Place will go toward other projects such as The Children's Art Garden and Formal Rose Garden (at the Hauberg Estate),” said Ms. Kuntzi, adding that she hopes renting the apartment will generate at least $120,000 a year for those projects.Ms. Kuntzi and other Hauberg officials said they are looking forward to renting out Andrew's Place, but they want to make sure renters know some important rules – no parties, no dogs in the renovated apartment.
Andrew’s place amenities
Here are some of the features in Andrew’s Place:
The 16-month renovation project began with new plaster in every room of the apartment by Andrew Waller, who also painted each room using paint that matched historic colors of the arts-and-crafts period. “It’s been a long 16 months, but this place looks great,” Ms. Kuntzi said.
She found 19th-century-period furniture and appliances from estate sales, Facebook marketplace and donations over the past few years for the apartment.
Care was taken to restore and keep many original features, including white pine trim; stamped tiles; a large, glass-front hutch in the kitchen; flooring; and the bathroom sink and bathtub.
In addition to the three bedrooms, the apartment has a living room, formal dining room, kitchen, butler’s pantry, full bathroom, laundry room, reading nook and a glass-enclosed sunroom that provides sweeping views of the Hauberg Mansion and estate.
Modern touches include a new, flat-screen TV in the living room, and a new washer and dryer. But most of the appliances are from another era. For instance, the kitchen has a massive refrigerator from 1928. Ms. Kuntzi and others shared the tough struggles to get that appliance into the second-floor apartment.
There is also a very old stove in the kitchen, old wooden furniture throughout the apartment including wood-framed beds in each bedroom. Some of the special touches include the words “Andrew’s Place” on a glass panel above a doorway in the apartment entrance; and a sign that reads “My friends, welcome to the other side of the rainbow.”
The maple and Douglas fir wooden floors were refinished by Jim Barrows Flooring. Continental Fire Sprinkler Company and Getz Fire Equipment Co. installed the fire suppression system. Crawford Company installed a central air system, Electrical work was done by Tri City Electric and American Electric. Hensel Plastering performed work. Lucy Hotchkiss installed the friezes and L&W Bedding supplied the mattresses and upholstery work.
Ms. Kuntzi said she firmly believes the ghost of Andrew Reitz is still looking over his former home. She also hopes the spirit likes what has been done to fix up the apartment and put new life into the dwelling.“He’s here. We know he’s still around here,” she added.
