In Chandler, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix, more than a dozen subdivisions are unfinished because of the economic downturn. The developer of this abandoned model home, Michael Roberts, chief executive of Charlevoix Homes, intended to turn a 35-acre former alfalfa farm into a community of 92 luxury houses, with prices starting around $500,000.
Photo by Edgar Martins
During the boom, Charlevoix Homes grew to 32 employees; it was recognized in 2006 by the state’s small-business association as one of the “50 Arizona Companies to Watch.” According to The Arizona Republic, Roberts’s wife hosted a show about real estate on a local television station. Last August, Roberts filed for bankruptcy protection, listing $118 million in debts. A fence has been erected to protect the three unfinished model homes from damage.






The Old Gray Lady yanked the photos after skeptical readers deteted "fauxtographic" manipulation. For far more serious cases, search for "The Reuters Photo Scandal", "Green Helmet Guy", and "Red Cross Ambulance Incident".