Only 5-6 years ago in our country only a few knew what “loft apartments” mean. However, today more and more people with means are considering them as a good alternative to apartments in elite new buildings. In addition, some developers are now building residential complexes, stylized as lofts.
Loft apartments - what is it?
In the first years after World War II, old manufactories began to close en masse in the center of New York. Their buildings for a long time were abandoned, despite the fact that housing prices in Manhattan rose day by day. Then the idea arose to re-equip former factory floors for housing. Initially, in such apartments, which were called attics, people of art began to settle, mainly artists, who were attracted by the spaciousness and excellent illumination provided by large windows.
In the 1950s, lofts acquired the status of elite housing, prices rose at times, and they began to acquire successful financiers, top managers and famous lawyers. Today, in many cities in the USA and Europe, in the place of former industrial districts, which as a result of the expansion of settlements appeared in the city center, entire areas have arisen in which you can buy or rent loft apartments. Even a special style has formed, and some super-elite new buildings are specially designed for housing, equipped in the former production shops.
Benefits
A lot of questions are asked by those who think whether to buy loft apartments. What can housing provide in terms of comfort? First of all, these apartments can be redeveloped at will, without the need to coordinate changes with government bodies. It is equally important that they are usually located near the city center, in places with excellent transport accessibility.
What else can be said about loft apartments? What is housing costs an average of 18 percent cheaper than apartments in nearby buildings with a similar level of comfort and footage. In addition, they can also be used as an office or show room, which is strictly prohibited in our apartments in our country.
Underwater rocks
Now about the shortcomings. It must be remembered when acquiring loft apartments that such housing does not give a right to registration. This entails a lot of problems, starting with the inability to put children on the queue in the kindergarten, attach themselves to the clinic and ending with difficulties with finding a job. Thus, real loft apartments in Russia can only be purchased by those who are registered in another apartment. Another option is to register at the cottage, and live in “attic” apartments. Among the shortcomings of such housing is the fact that utilities will be provided to residents at the rates applicable to office premises.
Key Design Features
As already mentioned, in addition to the original ones, today many residential complexes are being stylized as lofts. The main design features in these apartments are:
- Lack of partitions. The first lofts attracted buyers who were mostly artists, namely spaciousness, so the main characteristic feature of such apartments is the lack of partitions. At the same time, zoning is actively used by using several types of finishing materials. In particular, usually one of the walls is painted a different color or left unplastered.
- Elements that emphasize the original industrial value of this room. In these lofts, it is usually not recommended to dismantle various tubes, wall stairs, large industrial fans, and other equipment. All this is painted in unusual colors and used in an unexpected way. If we are talking about apartments stylized as lofts, then designers decorate them with various items that can be found in landfills left in the places of destroyed industrial enterprises.
- Modern furnishings. If lofts are used as decorative elements in lofts, which are given a new life, then the most modern furniture is installed, most often chrome-plated in the style of minimalism or high-tech. At the same time, combinations of old and new are welcome. For example, you can install an old chest of drawers next to the dining corner, consisting of a table with a glass top and chairs made of shiny metal without upholstery.
- Window. The loft must have huge windows, preferably from floor to ceiling, which is not recommended to drape or decorate in any other way with the help of textiles.
Loft apartments in the capital
The first apartments of this type in Russia appeared in Moscow. Initially, they were not in demand. It was very rare to meet a family wishing to purchase loft apartments. Moscow appreciated the benefits of such apartments only when well-known businessmen began to rent and buy them for their grown-up offspring. They quickly became fashionable, especially since most of the first lofts were in the immediate vicinity of the center.
Among the first successful projects for remaking former industrial facilities into comfortable housing, one can mention Danilovskaya Manufactory and Manhattan House, housed in buildings of the late 19th and 30s of the last century, which quickly turned into one of the most prestigious residential complexes in the capital. And soon, buildings stylized as loft apartments began to be built. Moscow, therefore, has become in line with other world capitals, and Muscovites were given the opportunity to have a more diverse selection of housing options.
Loft Park - apartments in Moscow
Among the LCD business class of the capital, one can note a residential complex near the Golovinsky Ponds, created on the basis of the old buildings of the Yokish cloth factory. In Loft Park, depending on the building, you can purchase apartments at a price of 5.2 or 6.2 million rubles. The complex has a developed infrastructure with many public green areas, making living on its territory similar to life in an old manor.
Loft River Apartment
As for stylization, one of the best examples of such a housing option is located on the territory of the Moskvoretsky Park, just ten minutes walk from the Tushinskaya metro station. This is the Loft River Club Residence. The apartments are built according to the author’s project with features inherent in the attic style. In total, the complex has two residential buildings made of red brick, which have promenade zones along the facades and the possibility of access to the roof. There are 1,2,3-level apartments in which, if desired, fireplaces can be installed. Since the complex is surrounded by the territory of VSK "Burevestnik" on three sides, residents can use tennis courts, and their children have the opportunity to attend free classes in rowing and other water sports.
Loft Apartment in Saint Petersburg
Those who are familiar with the northern capital will confirm that there are many ancient industrial zones there, simply created in order to be converted into comfortable business-class housing. In particular, territories on the island of New Holland and on the Obvodny Canal are very promising from this point of view . At the same time, real estate market experts say that loft apartments in St. Petersburg are much less in demand than in Moscow, and only a few such projects are currently being implemented, including stylizations. The reason, most likely, lies in the ignorance and lack of proper advertising of such a new type of residential real estate for Russia.
Apartments on Vasilyevsky Island
Last fall, the sale of apartments in the Docklands residential complex was announced. This is a comfortable loft apartment on Vasilievsky Island, or rather a successful stylization for "attic" housing. The complex consists of several ten-, eleven-story buildings in which you can purchase 1,2,3-room apartments. In total, the buildings offer 527 apartments with panoramic glazing, with or without decoration. Most apartments offer superb views of the Malaya Neva. In addition to residential buildings, the complex has two towers where office space for rent of various sizes is leased, and next to it is a three-star hotel, designed for people coming to participate in business negotiations and various events held in the conference hall of the business center.