The Loft Law

Charow spent the past two years creating his first photography book about artists living under the protection of The Loft Law. The law, enacted in 1982, granted protection and rent control to thousands of artists who were living illegally in commercial and manufacturing zoned lofts in neighborhoods like Soho, Tribeca, and the Bowery after the manufacturing industry left New York. Two years ago he found a map of the remaining protected buildings, rang hundreds of doorbells, and photographed and interviewed over 50 artists who are still living in these incredible lofts to this day. As New York faces an unprecedented amount of empty commercial space, this is perfect timing for this incredible untold story.