Pioneering in the Urban Wilderness
Stratton, Jim. New York, NY: Urizen Books Inc., 1977, 208 pp.
A fascinating look at the phenomena of renovating dilapidated urban lofts into to livable homes and alternative art spaces throughout many U.S. cities but with a focus on New York City. Jim Stratton’s writing is loaded with colorful stories derived from direct experience transforming these sometimes extremely rough buildings. In addition to accounting for construction and utilities challenges, he describes the threat of building inspectors, and concerns about other tenants that call attention to illegal renovations by being careless about moving construction materials in and out during daylight.
Via Temporary Services’ Self-Reliance Library
