Differences Between Loft Styles

By Author: Rob Parker
Total Articles: 311
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You probably already know that as far as real estate is concerned, there are as many different ways to describe pieces of property as there are real estate agents. Most people can penetrate at least that far into the home buying maze; after all, the differences between lease, rent, or own and then condominium, apartment, or stand alone home are all fairly self explanatory.

However, underneath these basic terms there are a few more levels of classification. One description of a potential home that has only come into use in the last two decades or so is the loft. Lofts are typified by their urban location and their high ceilings. Originally, this was due to the fact that most lofts were a part of what had been warehouses or factories in downtown areas but which were left vacant.

These vacant spots had a surprising appeal to people looking for homes within urban centres but who could not afford the high prices or who did not like the idea of the communal living that comes with apartments and condominiums. Even more specifically, they were of great interest to the members of the artistic communities, as the ample space ...
... provided a lot of room for a studio and equipment. The loft revolution was born.

And of course, when anything becomes popular, it starts to get complicated. The loft market today is a large one, and there are several different terms that are applied to homes that are in the loft style. Let's try to clear up some of the terms.

Authentic Lofts: This term is applied to lofts which are genuinely a part of the makeup of an old factory or warehouse, and have been converted to living areas for rent or sale. They are also known as hard lofts. The trick with these lofts is to make sure that they are covered by residential and warranty standards.

Soft lofts. Soft lofts are a direct result of developers realizing the commercial appeal of the loft concept. They are not actually spaces originally contained in part of a larger building, but are buildings designed with the residential loft in mind. In other words, they are lofts built to be lived in, and did not originate as storage space. They also are known by several names, including New Lofts, Mezzanine Suites, and Loft Inspired.

Regardless of the style of loft, all of these domestic structures have the same commitment to open space living. They are easily accessible from the streets of any city, and are ideal for those who wish to combine work and home life.