High Rise: How 1,000 Men and Women Worked Around the Clock for Five Years and Lost $200 Million Building a Skyscraper

Rating:
Summary: A primer in high stakes game of high rise development
Review: For a person who rarely finishes a book - I didn't put this one down. I must admit that I happen to know what the above review meant by quote about the May 13th deadline to get the FAR, but all concepts such as this are explained by the author in simple terms so a complete novice can follow along. This is a true story about a N.Y. developer in the mid 1980s with a small amount of money on his own who sets out to develop a skyscraper in Times Square and unfortunately due to the 1987 stock market crash and subsequent recession looses it all, including his development company. Author develops the many real persons who where involved in the story and the book is very humorous and one can't even believe all the comedy of errors that befuddles the development - i.e., if it weren't true it would be funny, but sadly they lost it all after years of hard work. If one wonders what motivates a developer, an architect or wants to understand the entire process of development of a skyscraper project such as this, read this book! This is a truly gut-wrenching drama of the highest sense.

Rating:
Summary: A primer in high stakes game of high rise development
Review: For a person who rarely finishes a book - I didn't put this one down. I must admit that I happen to know what the above review meant by quote about the May 13th deadline to get the FAR, but all concepts such as this are explained by the author in simple terms so a complete novice can follow along. This is a true story about a N.Y. developer in the mid 1980s with a small amount of money on his own who sets out to develop a skyscraper in Times Square and unfortunately due to the 1987 stock market crash and subsequent recession looses it all, including his development company. Author develops the many real persons who where involved in the story and the book is very humorous and one can't even believe all the comedy of errors that befuddles the development - i.e., if it weren't true it would be funny, but sadly they lost it all after years of hard work. If one wonders what motivates a developer, an architect or wants to understand the entire process of development of a skyscraper project such as this, read this book! This is a truly gut-wrenching drama of the highest sense.

Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting
Review: This book really delivers with an interesting story. On the face of it I was not that excited to pick up a book about the construction of a building and the finance side but this book made it interesting. The whole process from the buying of the land, getting financing, and the construction are told very well by the author. He does a good job of making sure the reader keeps in tune with the issues and does not let you get lost in finance speak. You really come away from the book understanding the process and the people that were involved. It is also a kick to see the building in real life as I did on a trip to NYC last summer. This book is well put together and keeps the reader interested through out. I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in how building is built today.

Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting
Review: This book really delivers with an interesting story. On the face of it I was not that excited to pick up a book about the construction of a building and the finance side but this book made it interesting. The whole process from the buying of the land, getting financing, and the construction are told very well by the author. He does a good job of making sure the reader keeps in tune with the issues and does not let you get lost in finance speak. You really come away from the book understanding the process and the people that were involved. It is also a kick to see the building in real life as I did on a trip to NYC last summer. This book is well put together and keeps the reader interested through out. I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in how building is built today.