WICHITA — For years, Ileana and James Monarez have been renovating houses, duplexes and apartments, but their latest remodel now has them looking for a break.
“This one has been a big project,” Ileana Monarez says of Harrison Apartments, the 18-unit apartments they renovated at 125 S. Seneca in Delano.
“But it is something that maybe in the future is going to pay off.”
The Monarezes are partners in J and J Associates with James’ brother, John.
Ileana Monarez also sells real estate for J.P. Weigand & Sons.
She says no one has been in the 1925 apartments for a couple of years.
The Monarezes added a new roof, plumbing, electricity and windows.
“We kind of made it a little bit contemporary,” Ileana Monarez says.
But she says they also kept much of the apartment’s character instead of making everything new.
“They don’t look perfect.”
Monarez says she and her family noticed how many businesses were coming to the Delano area but didn’t see that many apartments.
“This was one of the reasons that made us buy this building in this area,” she says.
Previous J and J renovations have been downtown. Ileana Monarez says they like the Delano and Old Town areas.
But they don’t have any more renovations planned for now.
“We’ve been doing this for six years, so it’s time to take a break,” Monarez says. “It’s time just to relax.”