By now you should know we’ve got a soft spot for true Loft conversions (especially when they’re priced under $600 per square foot) similar to what you’d be able to find at websites similar to thespacestation.co.uk in the UK. In this case it’s one of the 45 lofts in the Mill Building (720 York), a 1998 loft conversion by Pfau Architecture of an 1879 woolen mill in the Mission (originally designed by William Curlett). Each one of these homes have a unique design and adaptation of the building space that really helps use the space well without feling claustrophobic.
Unfortunately, we’ve had to admire this conversion from afar (or at least the street), any plugged-in readers care to share their experiences either living or spending time inside 720 York? It makes you really want to consider getting something like this done in lots of spaces around the house, doesn’t it? Just the photos make us really excited, that’s for sure.
UPDATE (8/6): 720 York #226 was recorded as closing escrow on 7/13/07 with a contract price of $751,000.
? Listing: 720 York #226 (1/2) – $729,000 [MLS]
Love those stairs (which are SO not to building code)
So who would be responsible for disclosure of this problem, the home inspection rep.?, the real estate agent?, the homeowner?, or the architect (though I doubt an architect was involved in this).
That must be why the price is so tempting. Finishing details like stair rails are left as an exercise for the buyer. This market is seriously trippy!
We have friends with a bright, airy, charming but small corner loft in this building. Their staircase is legal, so I’m not sure what the story is with the one in the loft for sale.
Note that Bryant Square is being constructed immediately to the west of the Mill Building, so it’s going to be noisy there for a while.
“Finishing details like stair rails are left as an exercise for the buyer.”
I hope you’re kidding but if not I think it’s a design aesthetic rather than an unfinished detail.
Would you not have to install proper railings at least during the sales process, and then the new owner could remove them? Also the balcony railing does not look like it would meet code. I have seen lawsuits over railings around pools, stairs, skylights, and european kitchen equipment so I would be concerned if I were the listing agent or owner.
It might be a code violation, but who voluntarily invites the DBI into their apartment?
Maybe I am wrong on this, but when selling a home, don’t you have to sign a statement that requires that all parts of the property were built or re-built to code, and if not, they need to be listed in writing. Example: Buyer has new home party, couple brings child, child falls off stair, wants to sue architect, only to find no architect was involved, then goes after previous owner? Is this possible?
Its an industrial space, not really meant to be childproof. Doesn’t live/work bypass a lot residential building safety codes?
I own one of the units in the building & have been remodeling it.
First, most of the units are very, very small. (Mine was ~450sqft.) Second, they were built very cheaply. The installed kitchens have small sinks, 2-3 small upper cabinets, and mine had one base cabinet — under the sink. There’s maybe one or two wall-mounted lights per unit, and trimless can lights under the mezzanine. They didn’t max out the mezzanines (30% of floor area or whatever it is). The installed flooring is engineered wood in a yellow-blonde color that doesn’t really look good with the brick. I also found my space very poorly planned given that it’s so small — the mezzanine was barely longer than a queen sized bed, and the stairs landed on one side, the closet was on the other, so you’d have to crawl over the bed to get to the closet.
The owners of 226 (the unit above) redid the floors, bathroom, and mezzanine railing. Other units have put in concrete floors and done cosmetic bathroom renovations. I put in a full (but still small) kitchen, did a cosmetic on the bathroom, and reconfigured the closets in the mezzanine.
I love the building — the brick and timber are fantastic. Location is great.
The 226 stairs are not to code, but so what, as long as the buyer is aware? I wish I didn’t have to have the massive guardrail on my stairs, it’s so visually noisy in such a small space. Live/work still has to adhere to the same safety regulations that a normal residence does, at least with stairs and railings.
Recorded as closing escrow on 7/13/07 with a contract price of $751,000.