Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Feb 11, 2019 13:13:08 GMT -5
I've been rubbernecking at real estate for sale in a couple of cities and I'm seeing alot of condominium "lofts" for sale. I don't have any experience with this kind of living space.
After looking at dozens of properties with awesome "staged" pictures and "tours" I've gotten to wondering:
1.) how do you keep all that exposed duct work clean? It runs thru every room/area. Surely dust/cobwebs eventually settles on top of them and spills down the sides. Surely the dust/cobwebs turns to grime anywhere the moisture/grease from the kitchen (or bathroom) collects/settles...
2.) How echo-y are those wide open spaces? And how does NOT having floor to ceiling walls around your bedrooms/den effect privacy/noise if more than 1 person is in the condo and doing something like cooking or watching TV or something else?
3.) Is only having one wall of windows/natural light comfortable? (I have a house with windows in every room so having windowless rooms that I would spend time in - seems odd to me. )
Who are the target audience for Lofts (and do people really live full time in them?)
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Feb 11, 2019 13:44:55 GMT -5
1) long handle swiffers and other cleaning implements (I work in pharma where we have high ceiling manufacturing areas where we have to clean the ceiling)
2) furniture and rugs would help. Depends on how noisy you are and quiet you want it.
3) one row of large windows might be more than you have with multiple windows. Depends a lot on layout
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Mrs. Dinero
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Post by Mrs. Dinero on Feb 11, 2019 14:05:09 GMT -5
Had a couple friends live in lofts when they were single. The noise wasn’t an issue. Floors were solid steel/concrete and walls were brick. It didn’t sound echoey either. No windows on 3 sides but the ones they had were enormous and let in plenty of light. I loved those lofts. Very cool.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Feb 11, 2019 16:40:34 GMT -5
I lived in a loft in TX. What I found with the high ceilings was that my living room was always cold in the winter and m6 bedroom was always hotter than I’d like during the summer. My electric bills were higher trying to keep my apartment comfortable.
Second issue was my only bedroom AND bathroom was upstairs. That meant any guests I had needed to go through my bedroom to use the bathroom......I just couldn’t close the door. I had my first orthopedic surgery while living here....it was challenging.
I didn’t have echos, but the downstairs noise seemed to travel up and become amplified.
I liked it, but wouldn’t do it now at my age.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Feb 11, 2019 23:08:12 GMT -5
I remember watching the series "Queer as Folk" a few years ago and the protagonist Brian lived in a cool loft in downtown Pittsburgh.
It sure looked nice.
I think lofts are meant for singles living alone, because there's no privacy.
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haapai
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Post by haapai on Feb 11, 2019 23:19:09 GMT -5
I've been rubbernecking at real estate for sale in a couple of cities and I'm seeing alot of condominium "lofts" for sale. I don't have any experience with this kind of living space. After looking at dozens of properties with awesome "staged" pictures and "tours" I've gotten to wondering: 1.) how do you keep all that exposed duct work clean? It runs thru every room/area. Surely dust/cobwebs eventually settles on top of them and spills down the sides. Surely the dust/cobwebs turns to grime anywhere the moisture/grease from the kitchen (or bathroom) collects/settles... 2.) How echo-y are those wide open spaces? And how does NOT having floor to ceiling walls around your bedrooms/den effect privacy/noise if more than 1 person is in the condo and doing something like cooking or watching TV or something else? 3.) Is only having one wall of windows/natural light comfortable? (I have a house with windows in every room so having windowless rooms that I would spend time in - seems odd to me. ) Who are the target audience for Lofts (and do people really live full time in them?) Could you share a few links or toss us a few breadcrumbs? I'm curious as hell as to what these spaces look like and how what you seem to be describing could possibly be turned into condos. How can you be the owner of a space that only has walls part of the way to the ceiling, or is that just a description of the internal walls of an otherwise discrete unit?
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Feb 11, 2019 23:23:46 GMT -5
I know a few people who live in lofts in Old Montreal. Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! ...and very, very expensive.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Feb 12, 2019 10:27:15 GMT -5
I've been rubbernecking at real estate for sale in a couple of cities and I'm seeing alot of condominium "lofts" for sale. I don't have any experience with this kind of living space. After looking at dozens of properties with awesome "staged" pictures and "tours" I've gotten to wondering: 1.) how do you keep all that exposed duct work clean? It runs thru every room/area. Surely dust/cobwebs eventually settles on top of them and spills down the sides. Surely the dust/cobwebs turns to grime anywhere the moisture/grease from the kitchen (or bathroom) collects/settles... 2.) How echo-y are those wide open spaces? And how does NOT having floor to ceiling walls around your bedrooms/den effect privacy/noise if more than 1 person is in the condo and doing something like cooking or watching TV or something else? 3.) Is only having one wall of windows/natural light comfortable? (I have a house with windows in every room so having windowless rooms that I would spend time in - seems odd to me. ) Who are the target audience for Lofts (and do people really live full time in them?) Could you share a few links or toss us a few breadcrumbs? I'm curious as hell as to what these spaces look like and how what you seem to be describing could possibly be turned into condos. How can you be the owner of a space that only has walls part of the way to the ceiling, or is that just a description of the internal walls of an otherwise discrete unit? I can't seem to copy links today. But, the partial floor to ceiling walls are internal to the unit which is only on one floor (there's no "upstairs"). I see this mostly in units that have only have windows on one wall. The internal wall to divide a bedroom or kitchen from the big room with the windows might only go up 3/4ths of the way to ceiling. I assume it's to allow unobstructed duct work and light to get to the room (or rooms at the back/interior of the unit). I think "loft" means different things. Some lofts are all one floor with really high unfinished ceilings (so you see the duct work and piping) and sometimes it just means there's upstairs rooms where you can look down on the floor below from the room(s). Most of the "lofts" I've been looking at are in either converted old (or warehouse) type buildings OR have been specifically built to have interiors that look like old converted buildings. ooooo I got the copy to work: You might have to scroll thru a couple of pictures to see what I mean about partial walls: (this appears to be a building designed/built to have exposed duct work.) www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/121-N-Martin-Luther-King-Blvd-Unit-305_Lexington_KY_40507_M41483-93617?view=qvHere's one with an open bedroom/living room floor plan (with partial walls): www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/535-S-Upper-St-Apt-422_Lexington_KY_40508_M40996-49764?view=qvFWIW: I keep thinking this could be a crazy cat lady paradise - just add some fun ramps and bridges and hide-y boxes up and around the rooms and down to the partial walls - and cats would be in heaven!!
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Pants
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Post by Pants on Feb 12, 2019 11:43:51 GMT -5
Those aren't lofts. Lofts are supposed to have... you know, rooms that are lofted.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Feb 12, 2019 12:33:26 GMT -5
Could you share a few links or toss us a few breadcrumbs? I'm curious as hell as to what these spaces look like and how what you seem to be describing could possibly be turned into condos. How can you be the owner of a space that only has walls part of the way to the ceiling, or is that just a description of the internal walls of an otherwise discrete unit? I can't seem to copy links today. But, the partial floor to ceiling walls are internal to the unit which is only on one floor (there's no "upstairs"). I see this mostly in units that have only have windows on one wall. The internal wall to divide a bedroom or kitchen from the big room with the windows might only go up 3/4ths of the way to ceiling. I assume it's to allow unobstructed duct work and light to get to the room (or rooms at the back/interior of the unit). I think "loft" means different things. Some lofts are all one floor with really high unfinished ceilings (so you see the duct work and piping) and sometimes it just means there's upstairs rooms where you can look down on the floor below from the room(s). Most of the "lofts" I've been looking at are in either converted old (or warehouse) type buildings OR have been specifically built to have interiors that look like old converted buildings. ooooo I got the copy to work: You might have to scroll thru a couple of pictures to see what I mean about partial walls: (this appears to be a building designed/built to have exposed duct work.) www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/121-N-Martin-Luther-King-Blvd-Unit-305_Lexington_KY_40507_M41483-93617?view=qvHere's one with an open bedroom/living room floor plan (with partial walls):
www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/535-S-Upper-St-Apt-422_Lexington_KY_40508_M40996-49764?view=qv
FWIW: I keep thinking this could be a crazy cat lady paradise - just add some fun ramps and bridges and hide-y boxes up and around the rooms and down to the partial walls - and cats would be in heaven!! For nearly $280k, Imma need a whole house with all the walls.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Feb 12, 2019 12:44:16 GMT -5
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Feb 12, 2019 12:46:29 GMT -5
I can't seem to copy links today. But, the partial floor to ceiling walls are internal to the unit which is only on one floor (there's no "upstairs"). I see this mostly in units that have only have windows on one wall. The internal wall to divide a bedroom or kitchen from the big room with the windows might only go up 3/4ths of the way to ceiling. I assume it's to allow unobstructed duct work and light to get to the room (or rooms at the back/interior of the unit). I think "loft" means different things. Some lofts are all one floor with really high unfinished ceilings (so you see the duct work and piping) and sometimes it just means there's upstairs rooms where you can look down on the floor below from the room(s). Most of the "lofts" I've been looking at are in either converted old (or warehouse) type buildings OR have been specifically built to have interiors that look like old converted buildings. ooooo I got the copy to work: You might have to scroll thru a couple of pictures to see what I mean about partial walls: (this appears to be a building designed/built to have exposed duct work.) www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/121-N-Martin-Luther-King-Blvd-Unit-305_Lexington_KY_40507_M41483-93617?view=qvHere's one with an open bedroom/living room floor plan (with partial walls):
www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/535-S-Upper-St-Apt-422_Lexington_KY_40508_M40996-49764?view=qv
FWIW: I keep thinking this could be a crazy cat lady paradise - just add some fun ramps and bridges and hide-y boxes up and around the rooms and down to the partial walls - and cats would be in heaven!! For nearly $280k, Imma need a whole house with all the walls. The prices are kind of silly because these are considered "downtown" dwellings. There's a whole slew of "shotguns" and and other small cottage or medium sized bungalows in the under 100K range. For 280K you can get an awesome big, brand new 3 bed/2bath house with a yard - but you'll need a car to get anywhere.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Feb 12, 2019 13:00:14 GMT -5
that's why I've ruled out "city-dwelling" - too expensive, too crowded, too loud.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Feb 12, 2019 13:39:52 GMT -5
I can't seem to copy links today. But, the partial floor to ceiling walls are internal to the unit which is only on one floor (there's no "upstairs"). I see this mostly in units that have only have windows on one wall. The internal wall to divide a bedroom or kitchen from the big room with the windows might only go up 3/4ths of the way to ceiling. I assume it's to allow unobstructed duct work and light to get to the room (or rooms at the back/interior of the unit). I think "loft" means different things. Some lofts are all one floor with really high unfinished ceilings (so you see the duct work and piping) and sometimes it just means there's upstairs rooms where you can look down on the floor below from the room(s). Most of the "lofts" I've been looking at are in either converted old (or warehouse) type buildings OR have been specifically built to have interiors that look like old converted buildings. ooooo I got the copy to work: You might have to scroll thru a couple of pictures to see what I mean about partial walls: (this appears to be a building designed/built to have exposed duct work.) www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/121-N-Martin-Luther-King-Blvd-Unit-305_Lexington_KY_40507_M41483-93617?view=qvHere's one with an open bedroom/living room floor plan (with partial walls):
www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/535-S-Upper-St-Apt-422_Lexington_KY_40508_M40996-49764?view=qv
FWIW: I keep thinking this could be a crazy cat lady paradise - just add some fun ramps and bridges and hide-y boxes up and around the rooms and down to the partial walls - and cats would be in heaven!! For nearly $280k, Imma need a whole house with all the walls. We may have near perfect weather and a beautiful state, but good luck with that if you ever decide to move here. Unless you move to the central valley where that may work, but in that case forget about the beautiful weather and loads of job opportunities
This link may be 6 months old but, while buying has slowed down price have not (yet) followed suit:
www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/22/median-price-tag-for-a-bay-area-home-hits-a-record-shattering-935000/
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Feb 12, 2019 13:45:51 GMT -5
It seems that the realtors are good at coming up with names and slapping them on properties to make the look more appealing to possible buyers. A loft is typically a section of a house/ apartment that is positioned above the main floor and overlooks the main floor. Could be used as a bedroom or anything else. Could have a bathroom included too but generally has no doors so is wide open. Some have skylights.
What it sounds like you are looking at is an apartment that could be in a former factory or industrial outfit that was redesigned for living quarters. There is a lot of that in the bigger cities. Architects are trying to incorporate as many of the industrial/commercial building elements in their designs as they can. It gives the place that feeling of “organized” or rigid.
The concept has been arround since the 20s and if I’m not mistaking was used by Gehr in designing a complex for the World Fair in Montreal. Not sure, I’ll have to look it up!
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Feb 12, 2019 13:49:04 GMT -5
For nearly $280k, Imma need a whole house with all the walls. We may have near perfect weather and a beautiful state, but good luck with that if you ever decide to move here. Unless you move to the central valley where that may work, but in that case forget about the beautiful weather and loads of job opportunities
This link may be 6 months old but, while buying has slowed down price have not (yet) followed suit:
www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/22/median-price-tag-for-a-bay-area-home-hits-a-record-shattering-935000/
LMAO!!!! Nope, you guys can keep that.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Feb 12, 2019 14:06:27 GMT -5
For nearly $280k, Imma need a whole house with all the walls. The prices are kind of silly because these are considered "downtown" dwellings. There's a whole slew of "shotguns" and and other small cottage or medium sized bungalows in the under 100K range. For 280K you can get an awesome big, brand new 3 bed/2bath house with a yard - but you'll need a car to get anywhere. Location, location, location. I used to live in Lexington, and have driven by those locations. The lofts are in downtown areas, high density housing. Most of these are around UK, within walking distance. However, you still neeed a car because unless you plan on eating out 24/7, there really is no shopping in these areas....not even little city grocers. The costs are very likely high because of a program UK has. In an effort to reduce car congestion on campus, they will help supplement a down payment on mortgages that are within walking distances on campus (I think they’d contribute up to $15k of your down....but there were a lot of strings). Only problem is that UK’s campus is huge and most of these are at the downtown edge. Some, in areas where I’d be uncomfortable walking home at night, plus they were a 30-45 min walk from where I worked.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Feb 12, 2019 14:08:32 GMT -5
It seems that the realtors are good at coming up with names and slapping them on properties to make the look more appealing to possible buyers. A loft is typically a section of a house/ apartment that is positioned above the main floor and overlooks the main floor. Could be used as a bedroom or anything else. Could have a bathroom included too but generally has no doors so is wide open. Some have skylights. What it sounds like you are looking at is an apartment that could be in a former factory or industrial outfit that was redesigned for living quarters. There is a lot of that in the bigger cities. Architects are trying to incorporate as many of the industrial/commercial building elements in their designs as they can. It gives the place that feeling of “organized” or rigid.The concept has been arround since the 20s and if I’m not mistaking was used by Gehr in designing a complex for the World Fair in Montreal. Not sure, I’ll have to look it up! Exactly. As I remember it, these were old factories......including old tobacco buildings and warehouses.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Feb 12, 2019 17:03:05 GMT -5
The concept has been arround since the 20s and if I’m not mistaking was used by Gehr in designing a complex for the World Fair in Montreal. Not sure, I’ll have to look it up!Are you talking about Habitat 67? I don't think that was Gehr.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Feb 12, 2019 18:15:00 GMT -5
The concept has been arround since the 20s and if I’m not mistaking was used by Gehr in designing a complex for the World Fair in Montreal. Not sure, I’ll have to look it up!Are you talking about Habitat 67? I don't think that was Gehr. I'm getting anxiety just from looking at that. No way in hell would I live there.
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chapeau
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Post by chapeau on Feb 12, 2019 18:16:36 GMT -5
The concept has been arround since the 20s and if I’m not mistaking was used by Gehr in designing a complex for the World Fair in Montreal. Not sure, I’ll have to look it up!Are you talking about Habitat 67? I don't think that was Gehr. I'm getting anxiety just from looking at that. No way in hell would I live there. Yeah, I wouldn’t either. It kind of looks like my idea of hell.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Feb 12, 2019 18:19:26 GMT -5
Looks fine to me. What's wrong with it?
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Feb 12, 2019 18:21:27 GMT -5
it's gorgeous, but the asymmetry with the units and how some of them have nothing solid underneath.... nope. And what do you do in case of fire/emergency?
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chapeau
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Post by chapeau on Feb 12, 2019 18:25:21 GMT -5
And all the people! Too many people under and over and just there.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Feb 12, 2019 18:26:29 GMT -5
It's gorgeous on the inside, too.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Feb 12, 2019 18:31:13 GMT -5
it's gorgeous, but the asymmetry with the units and how some of them have nothing solid underneath.... nope. And what do you do in case of fire/emergency? Use the fire escape.
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Feb 12, 2019 18:44:28 GMT -5
That was the image that I had in mind but my brain crossed wires😂 That was much later like in the 60-70s or somewhere in there.
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Feb 12, 2019 19:10:10 GMT -5
I just looked it up, the concept of sharp shiny surfaces and so on was introduced in the 20s by what was called the Art Deco movement. Chief architect amongst all was Le Corbusier. The style was used a lot in Chicago’s buildings and since it was the time of transitioning to indoor plumbing the architects were making use of those elements in their designs. otherwise simplistic, minimal furniture etc. The Habitat 67 is a masterpiece of space use, very forward thinking, a new approach onto solving the space problem in forever evolving urban areas. It’s in fact kinda the next step in the evolution of architecture from Art Deco.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Feb 12, 2019 19:12:53 GMT -5
The concept has been arround since the 20s and if I’m not mistaking was used by Gehr in designing a complex for the World Fair in Montreal. Not sure, I’ll have to look it up!Are you talking about Habitat 67? I don't think that was Gehr. I was fascinated by this place when I visited it in '67. Also spotted Charles de Gaulle at the Expo.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Feb 12, 2019 19:14:30 GMT -5
it's gorgeous, but the asymmetry with the units and how some of them have nothing solid underneath.... nope. And what do you do in case of fire/emergency? It's over fifty years old. No fire yet.
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