The Truth About HGTV's Windy City Rehab Finally Revealed

The HGTV series Windy City Rehab sees designer Alison Victoria and contractor Donovan Eckhardt work to flip houses in Chicago, which is something that Victoria has wanted to do since she was a kid.

It may be the show that made Victoria a star, but she has been working on TV for years, first as a behind-the-scenes designer on House Crashers, and later in front of the camera on Kitchen Crashers and Hotel Impossible. From the first time the stars met to the controversy the show has faced, let’s reveal the truth about Windy City Rehab.

#HGTV #WindyCityRehab #RealityTV

A lifelong dream | 0:00
Starting at home | 0:57
Betting big | 1:31
The ghost designer | 2:21
Not the first home | 3:30
A chance meeting | 4:24
Not afraid to take risks | 5:21
The truth about the ratings | 6:14
What the experts think | 6:52
There goes the neighborhood | 8:02
Got a permit? | 8:53
Patching things up | 10:09

[mh.]

I moved away from the Chicago area over 30 years ago. I'm simply floored at how much these homes are going for in Chicago.
The homes she renovates looked like tear downs when I was a kid. I Never thought they would ever be worth so much money years later.

[sandrarawn]

🇨🇦🙋♥️ Hello Allison from Ontario Canada. Allison I'm sorry to hear about everything that you've been dealing with! Your by far one of the best and my personal favorite designers I've ever seen! Your designs are so stunning Allison. Watching everyone of your Reno's I possibly can, I feel like we viewers get to know yous on a personal level of sorts. Allison, one of the many traits I've learned about you is your determination, kindness, straight forwardness when needed, lol, but above all is your strength! I so hope you'll keep the shows keep going! You can get past all of these challenges! I absolutely love your shows and besides it's
always been your show! Stay strong and keep doing what you love and are amazing at Allison! The world loves you! Sincerely Sandra from Ontario Canada!

[jameskaplan]

I love her. her style, her design, her go get it attitude. A very gifted individual.

[cherylw]

Love her and her designs.. too bad about Donovan I thought they had good chemistry. I’m glad the show is back.

[pattijohnson]

I'm so sorry for her! Her style is spot on, especially for Chicago. She's in my prayers and I look forward to new shows.

[gospelgirlgraceforliving]

I love Allison Victoria her designs are filled with historical charm filled with her heart & her love of her home Chicago. I loved her in Kitchen Crashers on HGTV. Windy City Rehab is her baby her love for what she does shows in her work. My heart broke at this seasons show, Alisons pain in finding out that Donovan was cheating her & their business. I thank you for showing that process I felt like it was happening to me. I cry as Alison cried, hell I cried when Alison didn’t just to find out someone that you trusted has betrayed you and caused the pain that Donovan did. My prayers are with you Alison. You will win, you will win.

[lindalentz]

I love watching her ! She does beautiful work ! She doesn’t give up! She is a businesswoman who knows what she wants and how to get it done. Bravo young lady !

[sandrarawn]

Allison, your truely the Best. Your my favorite designer of all time! You can do this on your own Allison! You are the show! You are the best! 🇨🇦🙋❤️🙏

[bihans]

I can't watch the old episodes knowing Donovan turned out to be such a scamp. And to see how close the two of them were, such an unbelievable shame.

[smallfootprint]

Love the show. Hope they get their problems cleared up so we can get on with the beautiful remodels.

[loristromberg]

I’ve watched some of the episodes and quickly decided the contractor has no clue about estimates or construction. Every expensive screw up falls on him for not supervising the construction.

[davidhunternyc]

I'm watching Windy City Rehab and I've been researching the problems that happened between Alison, Donovan, and the city of Chicago. According to buildings department records, “Windy City Rehab” projects violated city code by:

Working without permits at 11 different properties.

Working beyond the scope of pulled permits at 11 properties.

Failure to comply with safety codes related to issues such as electrical wiring. In early April, two different electrical code violations were issued at one property.

Failure to contact the city to obtain certificates of occupancy at two different properties.

Hiring workers who are not licensed, certified or registered by the city at 11 properties.

Lying on a permit application at 11 properties.

Failure to correct a substantial “defect, error or deficiency” at one property.

Performing work that poses an “immediate or imminent threat” to the safety of workers or the public at 11 properties.

This list is extensive. For Alison to go on TV and cry crocodile tears that she didn't know wreaks disingenuous to me. According to Alison she is "just the designer." She is just the designer visiting every property and she is not aware that she and Donovan hired workers who were not licensed and certified? Hogwash. Both Alison and Donovan were cutting corners to maximize profits and she knew what she was doing. Since Alison's name is tied to the LLC she is responsible for knowing. I don't doubt Donovan stole money but how could he steal over $800, 000 and Alison not know about it? "He's the finance guy and I'm the designer" isn't going to cut it. Now that the owners from previous properties are suing Alison & Donovan for shoddy construction is again the fault of both. Alison was working without permits at 11 different properties. She can't feign naiveté. Alison was a willing a culpable party to the infractions. Alison and Donovan were penny wise but pound foolish and they got caught. Still, I hope that Alison will learn from her mistakes and that those workers whom have not gotten paid will be well compensated. Don't just think about yourself, Alison, think about all of the other people your misbehavior affected. After all of this I wish you the best of success.

[gailsgig]

Her partner was such a drag! I am glad they separated. He was never at her level!

[agencycarloscastillo]

Being in this business, I have to say that this is one of the most REALISTIC approaches to a "flip" show that exists. In fact, it isn't a "flip" show. These projects all take +6 months to complete. All permitted, her numbers are very accurate. A "flip" would consist of a project that would be turned over in under 90 -120 days. Allison spends big time money for these projects. This show and "Restored" are the best of the bunch.

[myriamvargas]

Allison Victoria is the Best Flip and restored house show!🤗💯🇨🇦🌎🕊 God bless you Allison!🕊☘

[davidhunternyc]

HGTV is culpable too. Alison & HGTV knew that Donovan was operating without a license. It was on the show. Why would HGTV continue to allow filming? Why didn't HGTV vet Alison's and Donovan's credentials before they started filming? Alison is a designer but she is a builder too as her name is on the LLC. Have you seen Anna & James Morrissey's videos and photos of their destroyed home? It's horrifying. It's not just one homeowner but all of the homeowners are taking legal action against Alison & Donovan. I don't doubt that Alison was a victim to some extent but she also turned a blind eye and she knew that the workers on the jobs were not licensed. This is not my opinion. The infractions from the Chicago Buildings Department are in black & white for all to see. Windy City Rehab is a nationwide TV show. What, you think that Alison walked in on the jobs and had no idea? Alison got caught. Her attempt to compensate homeowners is a way for her to save face. Listen, I don't wish Alison or anyone else harm. I don't wish her to fail. I just want her to come clean and apologize for her wrong doing. For Alison to shift the blame and point the finger at Donovan is disingenuous. Perhaps it's the fault too of the homeowners for not hiring a building inspector before purchasing their homes. I'm not sure what the protocol is when purchasing a home that is rehabbed but let this be a lesson to everyone who is involved.

[susanzanardi]

Wow I am a poor small town girl & although I believe she does gorgeous design, every time I see all the $ she spends it makes me feel like "whoa, no way!" It makes me appreciate Good Bones, Fixer or fabulous etc! Good luck big town girl!

[vividblack]

I like her energy and humor, but what’s most impressive is her honesty and ethics ... this woman is the real deal! I love Windy City Rehab and I hope that we can all look forward to many more seasons of it! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[dennisgannon]

Hey Donovan, in the old days in Chicago you would be wearing concrete boots at the bottom of the Lake.

[CulturalBackgroundsStudyBible]

I would love for Alison Victoria to design our 1st home!!! She has a heart for cheaper homes and he whined so hard when she pushed for Bridgeport. He said so many random statements during the show that were prophetically indicative of his character. Look at how he always stared at Alison like he hated her while she was consistently the positive cheerleader.