Windy City Rehab

From bodybuilding bouncer to TV craftsman on ‘Windy City Rehab’ — what’s next for Ari Smejkal?

Smejkal, 60, parted ways with the popular HGTV show this year after seven seasons. He’s got big plans, and they don’t include working on TV.

By Mitch Dudek

Movies and TV

‘Windy City Rehab’ craftsman Ari Smejkal announces retirement

The news was revealed on Tuesday’s episode of ”Windy City Rehab: Alison’s Dream Home.”

By Miriam Di Nunzio

Windy City Rehab

Alison Victoria begins work on ‘sexiest home ever’ — her own

The HGTV star debuted ”Windy City Rehab: Alison’s Dream Home” on Tuesday night in which she’s designing her new mixed-use Chicago dwelling.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

Windy City Rehab

‘Windy City Rehab’ dabbles in new construction for season finale

Host Alison Victoria designs a $1.5 million home from the ground up on the season 3 finale.

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

‘Windy City Rehab’ gets a curveball on home design

The Bell’s home in Beverly, which is actually not the suburbs despite the episode title, needs an update, and host Alison Victoria is ready with ideas.

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

Gold Coast condo gets a makeover on ‘Windy City Rehab’

Ted, a close friend of host Alison Victoria’s, bought a condo in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, and it needs a major update. Here’s how Victoria tackled the project.

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

‘Windy City Rehab’ heads to Evanston for new construction

Host and designer Alison Victoria helps a couple expecting their first child build their Evanston home from the ground up.

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

Clients are back in the mix for Alison Victoria, ‘Windy City Rehab’

For the first time this season, host Alison Victoria takes on clients and helps hem build their dream home on a tight budget.

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

Alison Victoria turns her attention to Atlanta loft for ‘Windy City Rehab’

Will the “Windy City Rehab” designer pack up and move to a rehabbed Atlanta loft?

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

Goodbye Chicago, hello, LA! ‘Windy City Rehab’ goes coastal

In the third episode of the third season, host Alison Victoria helps a Los Angeles realtor rehab a 1920s Hollywood Hills home.

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

Is Alison Victoria, host of ‘Windy City Rehab,’ moving on from Chicago?

As the third season of the hit HGTV show continues, Victoria has taken on a more humble tone when it comes to profits — or lack thereof.

By Mitch Dudek

Windy City Rehab

‘Windy City Rehab’ Season 3: down with the old, up with the new in episode 2

Here’s what happened in the second episode of Season 3 of the HGTV series.

By Alison Martin

Windy City Rehab

Former ‘Windy City Rehab’ star Donovan Eckhardt’s defamation suit is dismissed

An attorney for Eckhardt’s former co-host Alison Victoria Gramenos said she ‘always tried to be truthful in relating her experiences with Donovan, and she is pleased that the California court rejected Donovan’s claims.’

By Mitch Dudek

Windy City Rehab

‘Windy City Rehab’ season 3 lands next month on HGTV

Host Alison Victoria announced the news via Instagram on Friday.

By Alison Martin

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Windy City Rehab

When a $2.2M home sale fell through on ‘Windy City Rehab,’ Alison Victoria found a buyer to bail her out: Her boyfriend

The HGTV show cut two versions of the episode in which Victoria boasted she “knocked it out of the park” after the rehab and sale of the Lincoln Park home. She made no mention of the new buyer’s identity.

By Mitch Dudek

Windy City Rehab

Lawsuit claiming home on ‘Windy City Rehab’ was plagued with leaks ends in settlement

The suit by Anne and James Morrissey over their defective Lincoln Square home originally sought $1.36 million.

By Mitch Dudek

Alison Victoria’s Bucktown home sold Monday for $2,145,000.

Windy City Rehab

‘Windy City Rehab’ star Alison Victoria Gramenos sells her Bucktown home for $2,145,000

Like the show itself, the home has its own set of controversy, drama and legal battles.

By Mitch Dudek

Alison Victoria and Donovan Eckhardt of HGTV’s “Windy City Rehab.”

Entertainment and Culture

‘Windy City Rehab’ co-host files defamation lawsuit in California

Donovan Eckhardt’s suit had been tossed by a Cook County judge who ruled Eckhardt’s contract requires disputes be resolved in California. In his suit, Eckhardt says his false portrayal on the show was the worst humiliation of his life, causing sleeplessness and loss of appetite.

By Mitch Dudek

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Windy City Rehab

All homes featured on ‘Windy City Rehab’ have now been sold

The last home to remain on the market sold Monday for far less than the original asking price.

By Mitch Dudek

Windy City Rehab

Defamation lawsuit filed by ‘Windy City Rehab’ co-host dismissed by Cook County judge

The judge said Donovan Eckhardt’s contract with showrunners called for litigation to be handled in California courts.

By Mitch Dudek

Windy City Rehab

Feuding stars of ‘Windy City Rehab’ agree: We need help splitting up

The pair have asked a Cook County judge to appoint a receiver to “wind down” their shared business interests, essentially a third party to oversee their financial divorce.

By Mitch Dudek

Windy City Rehab

Former ‘Windy City Rehab’ host Donovan Eckhardt drops a zinger in feud with Alison Victoria

In an affidavit filed last week, Eckhardt tucked six seemingly pointed words inside a parenthesis.

By Mitch Dudek