Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

This book offers unique insight and a behind the scenes look at the dealings and problems of building a modern high-rise office building in New York City. Everything is documented here - arguments between architect and developer over cost savings, ways building code regulations are circumvented (not making the building any less safe though) to dealing with a big name commercial real estate broker.

High Rise also demonstrates how difficult and complex it is to build in New York City - if the building this book was written about was based in any other city besides New York, it probably wouldn't be as much fun to read.

An excellent book for anyone who wonders what goes into building an office building - for both those inside and outside of New York City.

A '"must read" for anyone who has been associated with building construction, especially in New York--I was a facilities manager/construction coordinator of a private school in Manhattan for 20 years--for this is one of the most amazing, entertaining, (and agonizingly humorous books) available.
Carol Smilgin