Cramped But Cool Studio: Rent Controlled in Midtown Manhattan

Perhaps only people who have clung to rent-controlled apartments in New York City can understand Jonathan Saunders' entries in our Cramped But Cool Studio showcase.
For ten years, photographer Jonathan Saunders has lived and worked in a first-floor, 28-foot by 9.5-foot railroad studio in midtown Manhattan, close to "just blocks from the very magazines I work for."
    Saunders says, "It could be larger, as I am really out of room for just about anything. In fact, I just removed the stove for a new bookcase to house my photo book collection."   
    One closet has a small area for clothes and 4x6 print envelopes. "The other closet is all the old portfolios/bags and random supplies." His handmade couch "sits on 4 files of more 4x6 prints and a two level shelf for books that don't fit in the new bookcase. Before i put up all the shelving, I actually wallpapered the space with old prints or test strips from my color printing days. As time went on, shelves got built in front of or the walls became layered with images. When the walls were full, it went to the ceiling. I lie on my couch in there sometimes and its nice to see images versus a blank wall."

Below his sleep loft is a mini studio with backdrops and a softbox. "Then the desk I built as well: 2 printers, drawers for supplies, 2 RAIDs, Imacon and the computers. I had the larger fridge removed and have a mini fridge/microwave." 
    The upside: "It really is an ideal spot. The location has tons of restaurants all around here on 9th Ave. 51/52 streets. Is is close to all the train lines, all the magazines, banks, post office and offers a quick jump out of the city via the Lincoln, and most of all, is rent controlled. I end up staying with my girl friend pretty often and the economic downturn has made me rethink buying for while, so for now, it really cannot be beat. It is also dead silent in here, thanks to old construction."
The downsides are also numerous. The apartment gets no light, so "12am is the same as 12pm really. So take a workaholic and place them in the dark, they become a simple insomniac. I've sat here engrossed in my work only to realize its 4am. So too long in here and my schedule gets all silly. One PE at a news magazine knew this about me and would call me super super late and let me know how my story was going to run and if I got the lead image or not sometimes, it was wonderful. The landlord here is really insane and my list of complaints on record with the city is quite long, all in an effort to turn over tenants to increase the rents. The last one I'll share is the electricity, there are only 6 outlets, so the management of that is also bordering on the humorous."

Comments

[Timothy Archibald]

Awesome profile.

I've been in this space and always felt this apartment needed to be preserved in the Smithsonian as a view into an un-edited photographer's brain.

The size and scope should allow it to be given the same anthropological considerations as the Unibomber's cabin.

Best-

TA

[Ziv]

"So take a workaholic and place them in the dark, they become a simple insomniac."

I love that line.

[Thomas Locke Hobbs]

These are the most amazing photos I have ever seen.

Please post larger versions.

[Terry Clark]

I LOVE this space! It reminds me of home. Oh that's sad. Never mind.

[David]

Ah.... the old tidy sheet over the pile of junk trick eh?!