Architecture
Living the High Life: The Evolution and Features of Loft Apartments
Loft apartments meld past with present, with stylistic characteristics closely related to their construction and historical use
A loft doesn’t refer only to the space under the roof in a building; but by definition, a loft is also an unpartitioned floor over a factory, warehouse, or other commercial or industrial space. A loft apartment, by extension, is the conversion of this space for residential use. As architects, developers and designers repurpose abandoned 19th-century buildings that feature lofts into residential apartments, they synthesise the past and the present.
Artists pioneered the idea of loft living in 1960s New York when they turned unused warehouses and factory floors into minimalist live/work spaces. Once legalised, this form of adaptive reuse in urban-industrial areas established a new standard in desirable residential living. Architects and designers have taken advantage of the features of the warehouse and factories they’ve converted, and loft apartments have come to be associated with an industrial style and look that is urban and rugged yet ultimately sophisticated.
Artists pioneered the idea of loft living in 1960s New York when they turned unused warehouses and factory floors into minimalist live/work spaces. Once legalised, this form of adaptive reuse in urban-industrial areas established a new standard in desirable residential living. Architects and designers have taken advantage of the features of the warehouse and factories they’ve converted, and loft apartments have come to be associated with an industrial style and look that is urban and rugged yet ultimately sophisticated.
Between the 1930s and 1960s, SoHo also contended with the pressure of plans to build an expressway through the neighbourhood and in 1962 the City Club organisation recommended large parts of SoHo be razed for new housing.
While neither plan was ever realised, much of SoHo stood abandoned by the 1960s as lofts proved to be useless and undesirable in a neighbourhood zoned only for light manufacturing and commercial use.
While neither plan was ever realised, much of SoHo stood abandoned by the 1960s as lofts proved to be useless and undesirable in a neighbourhood zoned only for light manufacturing and commercial use.
However, one section of the community did find the lofts desirable and soon droves of artists moved into the area, valuing the large, open spaces, expansive windows and low rents. They lived in raw industrial spaces without fire protection, sanitation, vents, heating and hot water. Throughout the 1960s they fought to improve conditions and legalise loft dwellings; a right they won in 1971 when the residence of certified artists in the manufacturing buildings was legalised.
It is interesting to note that the law that any loft rented, leased or purchased in SoHo must have one certified artist-in-residence still stands today – although its enforcement is questionable.
It is interesting to note that the law that any loft rented, leased or purchased in SoHo must have one certified artist-in-residence still stands today – although its enforcement is questionable.
The 1971 rezoning established a precedence for the adaptive reuse of non-residential urban areas. Cities around the world have followed SoHo’s lead allowing the conversion of empty warehouses and factories into apartments, hotels and offices.
Indeed, over the last three decades, the gentrification of once-industrial neighbourhoods has seen them transformed from deserted to desirable.
Indeed, over the last three decades, the gentrification of once-industrial neighbourhoods has seen them transformed from deserted to desirable.
CHARACTERISTICS OF LOFT APARTMENTS
The characteristics of the loft apartment are closely related to its construction and historical uses.
Location
With the history of housing in the 19th century, loft apartments are often located in inner-city neighbourhoods and suburbs.
Features of industrial style
The characteristics of the loft apartment are closely related to its construction and historical uses.
Location
With the history of housing in the 19th century, loft apartments are often located in inner-city neighbourhoods and suburbs.
Features of industrial style
Expansive windows and high ceilings
Industrial buildings had high ceilings to accommodate equipment and ductwork, and expansive windows to provide lots of natural light for workers.
This conversion of a light manufacturing warehouse to an artist live-work loft apartment is flooded with light due to the high ceilings and wall of windows.
Industrial buildings had high ceilings to accommodate equipment and ductwork, and expansive windows to provide lots of natural light for workers.
This conversion of a light manufacturing warehouse to an artist live-work loft apartment is flooded with light due to the high ceilings and wall of windows.
Open spaces and mezzanines
Lofts also had large, open floor plans to accommodate equipment. Those floor plans have remained in many loft apartments and flow over one or multiple levels.
Floor plans can be fluid and ever-changing and areas are defined by function (for example, dining areas and living areas) or temporary partitions.
Lofts also had large, open floor plans to accommodate equipment. Those floor plans have remained in many loft apartments and flow over one or multiple levels.
Floor plans can be fluid and ever-changing and areas are defined by function (for example, dining areas and living areas) or temporary partitions.
Exposed structural elements
As industrial buildings, there was no need to give much thought to aesthetics and interior design. Consequently, posts, beams and other structural elements were visible.
Many loft apartments have kept these elements exposed. In this Tribeca loft, the timber ceilings and wrought-iron columns have been stripped back to maximise on the raw, industrial look.
As industrial buildings, there was no need to give much thought to aesthetics and interior design. Consequently, posts, beams and other structural elements were visible.
Many loft apartments have kept these elements exposed. In this Tribeca loft, the timber ceilings and wrought-iron columns have been stripped back to maximise on the raw, industrial look.
Exposed piping and ductwork
Exposing structural elements also applies to piping and ductwork, and these too have not been covered up or disguised in the conversion of old industrial buildings to loft apartments.
See more of this loft
Exposing structural elements also applies to piping and ductwork, and these too have not been covered up or disguised in the conversion of old industrial buildings to loft apartments.
See more of this loft
Other exposed industrial materials
Exposed brick – particularly exposed brick walls – is probably one of the most common characteristics of a loft apartment. However, exposed wood, iron, concrete, granite and steel also abound.
Brickwork inside the home
Exposed brick – particularly exposed brick walls – is probably one of the most common characteristics of a loft apartment. However, exposed wood, iron, concrete, granite and steel also abound.
Brickwork inside the home
Mixed mediums and finishes
Once renovated, redesigned and redecorated, loft apartments will often juxtapose traditional structural materials (wood, brick, concrete, iron, etc.) with modern finishes such as ceramic, leather and marble.
Once renovated, redesigned and redecorated, loft apartments will often juxtapose traditional structural materials (wood, brick, concrete, iron, etc.) with modern finishes such as ceramic, leather and marble.
Art collections
And lastly, art collections are a characteristic of the contemporary decoration of loft apartments (not all, of course, as it may not be everyone’s priority or cup of tea). This is closely linked to the occupation and habitation of loft apartments by artists in the 1960s.
High ceilings and expansive interior walls provide lots of space and lighting – ideal attributes for showing off artworks.
TELL US
Do you live in a loft apartment? We would love to see your pictures. Please post them in the Comments.
MORE
USA Houzz: Sneak a Peek at a Spacious Manhattan Loft
British Houzz: New York-Style Loft in the Heart of London
USA Houzz: Cube-Style Loft Makes the Most of Its Snug Size
And lastly, art collections are a characteristic of the contemporary decoration of loft apartments (not all, of course, as it may not be everyone’s priority or cup of tea). This is closely linked to the occupation and habitation of loft apartments by artists in the 1960s.
High ceilings and expansive interior walls provide lots of space and lighting – ideal attributes for showing off artworks.
TELL US
Do you live in a loft apartment? We would love to see your pictures. Please post them in the Comments.
MORE
USA Houzz: Sneak a Peek at a Spacious Manhattan Loft
British Houzz: New York-Style Loft in the Heart of London
USA Houzz: Cube-Style Loft Makes the Most of Its Snug Size
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The story of the loft apartment begins in SoHo, New York, a sought-after section of Manhattan that boasts an unrivalled collection of cast-iron architecture and some of the highest property prices in the United States. But SoHo has not always been a desirable place to live; in fact, through the 1960s to 1980s it was dirty, deserted and downright dangerous.
SoHo’s thriving industrial base in the 19th and early 20th centuries jam-packed the neighbourhood with buildings that housed factories and warehouses. But, come the modernisation of industry in the mid 20th century, the verticality of SoHo’s buildings were deemed increasingly efficient.