Tough times have yet to kill appetite for urban loft space

Jim Durfee//November 25, 2011//

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There is something undeniably cool about urban loft space.

High ceilings, big windows, exposed masonry walls and structure-all of these aspects somehow combine to create the kind of space that is attracting a continuing stream of buyers in downtown Rochester. I have long marveled at the strength of the urban loft market here, one that has persisted even through the recent recession. The architectural quality and character of our downtown has been the beneficiary of this trend as many of our most distinguished yet underused buildings have been reborn.

Despite the doom-and-gloom pronouncements of urban decay, people see something truly compelling about urban living. Recent U.S. census data for the last decade shows there was a marginal population increase of 1.5 percent in the six counties surrounding the city of Rochester while the city population shrank by 4.2 percent. Remarkably, during this same time period, the downtown residential population actually grew by 11.5 percent.

Across the U.S., urban centers have seen an ongoing trend toward the establishment of loft districts. Generally, lofts become available when old warehouse spaces are "discovered" in and around downtown areas. The industrial character of these spaces provides stark, energizing and raw space. The contrast of these surroundings with residential furnishings gives those who choose to live there the flexibility to create inventive and surprising living space.

Areas like SoHo in New York City began when artists and others moved into marginally improved industrial space, creating an edgy, hip neighborhood. This was followed by progressive reinvestment in these buildings, eventually creating some of the highest residential property values in the city.

Here in Rochester there are signs that we have skipped this early gritty phase and have moved directly to projects involving the substantial commitment of capital resources. This is a remarkable trend and one that has been led by a short list of creative, committed real estate developers. They have created market momentum by consistently producing the kind of space that generates a buzz. In the last decade, 24 buildings in the downtown area have been converted from their prior use to residential lofts. This has created 476 new living units. Currently, there are 400 more living units in the pipeline associated with pending projects.

Some of Rochester’s most distinguished architectural buildings have been caught up in this trend and given new life. The H.H Warner Building on St. Paul Street is one such example; its amazing and effusive cast-iron facade is an architectural gem. The building recently was fully renovated into 48 living units with an art gallery and commercial space at street level. Another example is the Temple Building just across from the Sibley Building. This beautifully restored commercial gothic tower originally was developed with 40 living units in 2006 and recently has added 10 more. These completed projects have set the stage for planned renovation projects at Midtown Tower, the Lincoln Alliance Building and four other buildings.

Loft living has become so popular in urban centers that developers are building new loft apartments and condominium buildings with the same characteristics as converted warehouse lofts to meet the demand. This pattern has been echoed here in Rochester. Perhaps the flagship for newly minted lofts is the Sagamore in Rochester’s Cultural District. The fact that this new building has been so successful speaks to the strength and potential of the market for this kind of residential space.

There now are several established neighborhoods that have set the tone for how we think about urban lofts. These include the St. Paul Quarter, the Cultural District, the Cascade District and the Neighborhood of the Arts. Each of these areas has the feel of a truly urban living environment. Despite the success of these areas, the city’s downtown residential map remains a puzzle with many missing pieces.

Some developers are investing in these in-between areas. Perhaps the best example of this is Buckingham Properties LLC’s new development at Alexander Park. This infill project at the edge of the former Genesee Hospital property provides for a mix of uses, including residential. While outside the Inner Loop, it is creating a new center of gravity at the southwest corner of the Park Avenue and Monroe Avenue neighborhoods. It also is within shouting distance of the city center. This kind of investment is starting to provide the connective tissue that can knit together established urban neighborhoods.

The extent to which we see further investments of this kind will depend on the continuing strength of the urban loft market. Personally, I have given up trying to predict when the demand for this space will be satisfied. The bottom line is that loft living is energizing and fun. At the same time, it simply makes sense for many people. They can be close to work or other places they frequent. Owning a vehicle becomes, in some cases, optional. And most people find they have plenty of space. In short, living in a loft is as practical as it is efficient.

For many people, though, one of the primary draws of the loft life is the feeling that it makes things simpler. While you can find most of the amenities of single-family homes in lofts, there is no lawn to mow or rake, no sidewalk or driveway to shovel. There is no need to worry about outside maintenance, and leaving on vacation is as simple as packing your things and locking the door behind you. Finally, if you move into one of these and learn about the history of the building, you may have a great story to tell.

All of these factors have combined to create a robust market for old buildings of strength and character. And this is a very good thing. Here in Rochester we are blessed with an extraordinary stock of underused buildings of high architectural quality. The trend toward converting these buildings for loft living allows us to preserve a sense of history while also creating a new and exciting downtown environment.

Jim Durfee is vice president and design principal at Bergmann Associates. An architect and past president of American Institute of Architects-Rochester, he can be reached at (585) 232-5135 or at [email protected].