What Is a Loft Apartment?

Loft apartments are large, open living spaces often found in commercial or industrial buildings that have been converted to residential use. They typically are found in urban areas, and have high ceilings and large windows that allow for plenty of natural light and ventilation.

Should you buy a loft apartment? Here’s a few things to know before you decide.

Characteristics of Loft Apartments

Loft apartments usually consist of a large open space with minimal partitions, and are often found in urban areas.

“Most lofts feature exposed building elements, minimal interior walls, and adaptive use of space,” says David Tully, a real estate agent based in Reno, Nevada.

Here are some of the common features of a loft apartment to think about if you’re deciding whether to buy a loft or wondering how to buy a loft apartment.

Layout

One of the main benefits of a loft apartment is the freedom to arrange your living space any way you like. You can decide whether to put your bed next to the living room or close to your workspace.

On the other hand, open space is not always conducive to privacy — a key consideration when you live with other people.

Features

Lofts often are located in large buildings that include amenities for residents such as a gym, parking, security, and even retail or dining options. If these amenities aren’t located in your building, the urban location of most lofts typically means you won’t have to go far to find comparable services.

Design and ambience

Since lofts often begin as commercial spaces, they usually have exposed brick walls, large windows, concrete floors, and industrial-style elements that appeal to artists and performers.

Sometimes, though, that means they weren’t designed to be lived in, and may feel cold and impersonal. They also may lack features most people expect in modern homes.

Location

While they’re most often found in cities with older buildings that can be converted to living spaces, loft apartments also can be found in suburban areas and small towns.

History of Loft Apartments

Loft living is historically associated with artists, especially in New York City. In the 1950s, many artists in the city were looking for affordable, bright spaces where they could live and work. They converted the lofts in abandoned or empty industrial buildings to spaces they could both live and work in.

By the 1970s, loft apartments had become popular nationwide — and remain so today. Many developers have replicated the loft apartment style in new construction that retains the original aesthetic while meeting modern standards for convenience and comfort.

Types of Loft Apartments

The loft apartment style has evolved over time to include a few different types. Here are the most common types of loft apartments.

Hard lofts

Hard lofts are industrial buildings or warehouses that have been converted to residential units. They often have open floor plans, lots of space, exposed brick walls, and high ceilings. All this adds to the charm of hard lofts, but this type may be more difficult to maintain due to the age of the buildings.

Soft lofts

Soft lofts are built to evoke the same aesthetic as hard lofts. They typically include high ceilings, open floor plans, and exposed brick and ductwork, but come without the maintenance challenges associated with converting older commercial or industrial buildings. Soft lofts often can be found in buildings that include amenities such as swimming pools, security, parking, and fitness centers.

Live-work lofts

Live-work lofts are built for both commercial and residential use. Typically, that means the ground floor is a business space, with the floors above serving as an attached living space. If you plan to use your loft as a business site, check with local zoning regulations to make sure it’s allowed.

Loft conversions

Homeowners can convert parts of their home into loft-like spaces that often are used as an extra bedroom, a living room, a gym, a workshop, or a studio. Turning your attic into a loft can add value to your home, but you’ll need to check with local zoning codes before converting the space.

FAQ

Here are the answers to common questions about loft apartments.

What are some downsides to lofts?

Loft apartments often lack privacy. They also may lack insulation to protect against temperature changes or to block out street noise. Lofts in older buildings may need extensive repairs. Some lofts also might be part of a homeowners association, which would require you to pay dues and follow its rules.

Can you buy a loft apartment?

Yes. “Even though lofts have some unique characteristics resulting from their conversion from commercial spaces, they are still considered residential properties,” Tully says. As such, loft apartments typically are eligible for mortgage financing.

What is the difference between a loft, a flat, and an apartment?

Although the words loft, flat, and apartment often are used interchangeably, they are not the same. A loft is a large, open living area, often found in a commercial building that has been converted into a residence. “Apartment” is an American term for a self-contained living space in a larger building, while flat is commonly used in the United Kingdom to describe a living space that takes up the entire floor of a larger building.