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The Lofts at 160 is an adaptive reuse of three of the five historic
Spring Brook buildings, which were built as commercial warehouse space
in 1869. The Spring Brook buildings are among the earliest structures
in the District and are part of an impressive row of Victorian/Italianate
façades, which established the classic Second Avenue style.
The building is more simple and subdued than full-blown Victorian-style
architecture. It features smaller, proportioned moldings and a gentle
sloping roof-line.
The total scope of renovated area is approximately
48,000 square feet. Pedestrians enter the project through
the formal Second Avenue lobby.
The loft-style apartments, occupying the upper two floors of the building,
are organized around a unique multistory interior courtyard.
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| The courtyard is flooded with light from
above, through a transparent canopy roof that floats above the space supported
by an elegant steel frame that hints at the arched-topped windows of the
building's façade. At the First Avenue end of the courtyard,
original window openings allow views of the Cumberland River and the Coliseum
beyond. The original
character of the warehouse space is retained with exposed solid brick
masonry walls, original wood floor joists, steel mesh guardrails and
industrial light fixtures. Vines soften the space, and a water feature
adds ambient sound. Each of the 32 units has access to the courtyard. |
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The units keep with the urban loft feeling, featuring either hardwood
or stained concrete floors, exposed brick masonry walls, original exposed
wood floor joists and industrial light fixtures in the kitchen and
exposed ductwork. Large 8-foot-tall windows open up to the courtyard
for abundant natural light. Some units have views to the excitement
of Second Avenue, and several have views to the Cumberland River.
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