Manhattan Loft Style

The Block: Fans vs Faves has started and I'm totally addicted already. I just can’t get enough of the Manhattan Loft style. To tell the truth, I didn’t really know it was a style, I just thought lofts were an upmarket apartment (technically they are). So I thought I would enlighten myself a little and do a bit of research.

The evolution of the loft as an architectural style property has influenced the whole concept of the New York apartment, specifically due to the nature of its space. A loft implies a large, open space that usually results from a commercial building having been converted into multiple dwelling residential units. Some remain open areas with few internal walls, while others have been constructed into one, two, or more bedroom apartments.

Lofts can be varied ranging from minimalist style to far more opulent and sophisticated. Famous architects and designers have relished in the opportunity to transform these spaces into chic, innovative homes, setting the standard for the highly stylized architectural Manhattan loft.

Manhattan loft style began when striving painters, sculptors, photographers, clothing designers and others of artistic vision found huge empty spaces in old commercial buildings that were inexpensive. They were willing to live in non-residential neighborhoods in exchange for the low rents of these previously undesirable buildings that provided the room for them to develop their crafts into successes.

SOHO was one of the first neighborhoods where this took place in the late sixties and early seventies. As people began to occupy the buildings, a sense of neighborhood began to emerge. Small corner pubs and eateries opened and by the late seventies, SOHO had been transformed into a thriving community with art galleries, avant-garde restaurants and shops.

Many building owners and landlords recognized how appealing loft apartments had become to the general public. They began to renovate their properties into loft-style apartments throughout the entire city. While some retain the elements of the old commercial buildings, featuring 14 to 20 foot pressed tin ceilings, huge over-size industrial windows, exposed pipes and service elevators, new construction developments offer opulent luxury buildings complete with every state-of-the-art amenity from concierge services to health clubs and swimming pools.

The stuff of dreams, don't you think?

Images are of Colourist Rita Hazan's loft, styled by Nate Berkus, via Domino