Lofts: two storeys, one cool industrial vibe
Loft apartments made their début in 1950s New York. Since then, they’ve featured in innumerable popular films, including Ghost, Big and, of course, The Loft. They finally made it to Spain around the turn of the millennium, coinciding with the real estate boom. Today, a loft apartment is an ideal choice for couples or single buyers, but also makes a stylish studio or office. In some cases, it can offer a taste of luxury in the heart of the city or out in the suburbs.
Not every two-storey apartment qualifies as a loft, however. Those in the know say that certain indispensable qualities are needed to make the grade: an industrial history, an open-plan layout arranged over two floors, high ceilings and plenty of natural light, thanks to those iconic floor-to-ceiling windows.
The story of the loft apartment begins in New York City, in the former industrial districts of Tribeca and Soho. Amid soaring demand for affordable housing in the 1950s, old industrial buildings, warehouses and attic spaces were converted into residential apartments. Students and artists were among the first to catch on to their appeal; today, many have been transformed into exclusive luxury homes.
A loft can also be a good option for professionals in need of an airy, light-filled place to work, or entrepreneurs looking for their first office space. Indeed, many have been given new life as restaurants, boutiques, galleries or studios for designers, photographers and artists.
Perfect for residential or business use
If you’re a couple or a solo buyer longing for somewhere to call your own, or a business owner in the market for a chic new base, a loft might just be the perfect fit. At The Singular Space, we can introduce you to some very special examples, unique in their location, history or style.
One of them is this incredible home, the fruit of an ambitious architectural and engineering project that transformed an old 19th-century yarn warehouse into a bold, light-filled space for contemporary living. Located right in Madrid city centre, this is an extraordinary live/work space offering stylish open-plan living with outstanding specifications and an indoor pool.
Truly one of a kind, this surprising loft apartment is hidden inside a former convent in central Barcelona. The current owner of this unique property, with help from renowned interior designer Fernando Salas, has brought a real taste of her native New York to Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic, creating an open, elegant space with a distinctly industrial feel.
In the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, we find this impeccably presented three-storey loft housed in a listed industrial building dating from 1912, once a factory and warehouse.
