A true loft for New York City (or "hard" loft) is: a conversion
of a vintage factory or warehouse, having a harder edge of either
concrete construction, or "mill" construction of exposed
brick and original wood posts, beams and floors. Ceilings should be
over ten feet high at least. This is increasingly very important for
loft purchasers, as developers are now building condos with slightly
higher ceilings than in the past. It is the height that helps give
a loft the feeling of air and space. Larger windows and open concept
layouts also help. Ceilings are unfinished and pipes and heating ducts
are exposed. Do not expect to find a 1,000 square foot loft divided
up into two bedrooms and a den. It will much more likely have a kitchen
and a bathroom with the rest of the space left as one large open room,
which you can work with and use according to your own functions and
needs. Some people think a loft means you have a second mezzanine
level overlooking the floor below, but this is simply one style of
loft. The other great thing about lofts is that most of them are zoned
live/work, which makes it easier to operate a business out of your
home. Check whether there are New York or federal tax advantages
or write-offs available. Another type of lofts in New York City are newly
constructed lofts (or "soft lofts"), which are for the most
part "Condos With High Ceilings", and are examples of New York City condo developers trying to cash in on the popularity of lofts.
Most New York City lofts built from scratch have very little character,
and in most cases, the ceilings aren't even all that high. The quality
of construction is sometimes disappointing, and quite often the location
is really the only selling point, since vintage lofts are usually
a little off the beaten track, not in the best neighbourhoods of New York City.
New York City homes for sale
(introduction)
New York City condos
New York City cooperatives
New York City resale homes
New York City gated communities
New York City townhouses
Building a house in New York City
New York City new homes
New York City luxury homes
New York City lofts
New York City investment property
New York bungalows
New York City duplexes
New York City triplexes
New York City residential real estate
(attached)
New York City residential real estate
(detached)