Brothers build their "dream homes" in downtown Sandusky

SANDUSKY — The Windau brothers built their dream homes: a place where they, their wives and extended families can enjoy one another's company, and comfortably, smack-dab in downtown Sandusky.Siblings Ed and Steve Windau recently finished a two-year-long, top-to-bottom renovation at 221 E. Water St. near Boom Town Coffee.Other than drywall, electric and masonry work, the brothers completed all other major construction tasks themselves.Siblings Ed and Steve Windau renovated their family's former business at 221 E. Water St. in downtown Sandusky to become a luxury-style duplex, where each of them live with their wives. Each unit totals about 2,500 square feet.The structure formerly contained their family business: Windau Plumbing, Heating & AC, which began operating from this very space in 1976.Now it's a luxury-style duplex, with each unit totaling about 2,500 square feet. Each unit features three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, spacious kitchens and a deck. Ed and his wife, Cindy, live in one area; and Steve and his wife, Marilyn, reside in an adjoining space."We worked here our whole lives," Ed said. "Now we're going to be here for the rest of our lives."Siblings Ed and Steve Windau renovated their family's former business at 221 E. Water St. in downtown Sandusky to become a luxury-style duplex.They also share a rooftop deck, overlooking Shoreline Drive, and a grand entranceway, with stairs leading to both upper-floor apartments. In the lobby area, there's a family history section, with pictures and newspaper articles framed and lining walls. There are many homages to the brothers' parents, George and Virginia Windau.All told, Ed and Steve invested about $415,000 of their own money on two related residential projects: this one and at a neighboring structure, 219 E. Water St., which they also transformed into an upscale apartment for another tenant. The latter job ended in 2017.A photo collage shows the transformation of 221 E. Water St, near Boom Town Coffee in downtown Sandusky.Both brothers committed their capital to the properties after feeling encouraged with Sandusky's ongoing rejuvenation occurring throughout this past decade."We love it down here," Ed said.Storey then addressed his next comments regarding the project's significance for Sandusky."This project is the epitome of what we are trying to accomplish, and the level of craftsmanship and detail that was poured into this rehabilitation is stunning," he said. "It's a beautiful second act for this building, and, just like Bob Hare and others are doing right nearby, these kind of building blocks are great for the city of Sandusky, and we hope are the catalysts for others to follow in 2020 and beyond."From left, Ed and Cindy Windau stand with Marilyn and Steve Windau inside the former Windau Plumbing, Heating & AC building in downtown Sandusky. The Windau brothers recently finished a renovation to turn the space into a duplex, where they and their wives now live.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Siblings Ed and Steve Windau created two apartments out of the structure that contained their family business, Windau Plumbing, Heating & AC, on East Water Street in downtown Sandusky.Siblings Ed and Steve Windau renovated their family's former business at 221 E. Water St. in downtown Sandusky to become a luxury-style duplex, where each of them live with their wives. The duplex includes plenty of space for family to stay while visiting.