HGTV’s ‘Windy City Rehab’ teaming up with new contractor to resolve permit violations

After getting slapped with stop-work orders and losing the ability to pull permits, the star of HGTV’s Windy City Rehab is approaching city officials—and engaging a new general contractor—to get the second season of the popular home-flipping show back on track.

“I am working closely with the City of Chicago to repair and amend any and all permits with our new general contractors,” wrote host Alison Victoria, whose real last name is Gramenos, in a recent Instagram post. “The building department says they are pleased with our efforts and we will continue to work closely together to move in the right direction.”

The new general contractor was not named. It’s also unclear what this means for show personality and business partner Donovan Eckhardt, whose company Greymark Development acted as Victoria’s previous GC.

The city recently denied Eckhardt’s appeal to have his permit privileges reinstated and intends to revoke his developer and contractor licenses for a year. Eckhardt has the right to re-appeal the decision.

According to the Chicago Department of Buildings, 11 projects associated with Windy City Rehab worked without permits or beyond the scope of what was allowed. Its hosts were also cited for failing to comply with safety codes, employing unlicensed workers, and selling properties without completing final inspections.

Department spokesman Gregg Cunningham confirmed to the Sun-Times that Victoria was taking steps to correct the situation. “She is making an effort to clean her permit applications up,” he told the newspaper. “We appreciate the efforts to come into compliance.”

The second season of Windy City Rehab is currently in production in and around Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood and will feature a number of properties including the former Miko’s Italian Ice building at 1846 N. Damen Avenue.

The new episodes are expected to air in early 2020, based on Victoria’s recent social media post.