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Home | Friday 16th January 2009 | Issue 662

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AND FINALLY

Climbing the property ladder the unconventional way: The Da! Collective are moving up in the world. Early last year the champagne squatters were evicted from a Mayfair mansion, worth over 6 million quid, owned by the billionaire Duke of Westminster.

But, proving that squatters in London don't have a Monopoly on low rent dives on the Old Kent Road, this enterprising group of well heeled cheeky game players took a Chance and nipped round the corner (not passing Go or collecting £200) for some more Free Parking - taking residence in a £22.5 million property instead!

Far from living the lifestyle of the idle rich though, the artists collective has been cracking open the Community Chest by holding open house workshops on everything from tree house building to 'Deschooling Society'. Who knows, maybe they'll paint the place red and open it as a hotel.

The alleged owner tried to evict the squatters but failed to prove he was the, er, owner! The next hearing is not expected until late in the month and if housing prices continue to crash at the current rate then by the time they get them out, the gaff will be worth as much as a two-bed terrace in Whitechapel. More info at www.temporaryschool.org

Keywords: london, squatting


 

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