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Cinderella Stories

The renovation of the city’s commercial buildings through the combined efforts of private investment, local public policy, federal tax abatements and other factors is the subject of Cinderella Stories. Eight major landmarks are followed by sections on ‘Storefronts & Facades’, ‘Lofts & Interiors’, and ‘Apartments’ with most including ‘before’ photographs that show how neglected or thoughtlessly remodeled these buildings had been. The book ends with a “Happily Ever After’ summary of how renovation of individual buildings leads to revitalization of entire districts, with examples including Five Points South, 4th Avenue North, Woodlawn, Smithfield, and The Theater District, among others. A total of 60 transformations are presented photographically along with a brief history and construction details, making a compelling argument for the conservation of worthy buildings.