A Renovated Loft in SoHo

Confronted with an historic loft in New York's SoHo district in need of an update, architects Bronwyn Breitner and Luigi Ciaccia executed a gut renovation to introduce more natural light throughout the interior while honoring the original character of the former industrial space. Though the loft was close to 2,300 square feet, the long and narrow footprint—23 feet by 100 feet—was a challenge. "By punching holes in walls and aligning site lines with the windows, we were able to create privacy to meet the clients' needs while also providing a sense of light and expansion from the common areas," says Breitner, co-founder of the firm 590BC. We detail the design moves in the following slideshow. Slideshow

The residence is located on Crosby Street, which is part of the landmarked SoHo Cast Iron Historic District. Once a manufacturing and industrial area then an artists' enclave, the neighborhood is now a retail hub. This particular loft used to be a light bulb factory, which informed the renovation's materiality. All of the natural light enters the apartment from the living room windows. 590BC worked with Tamara Eaton Design to furnish the interiors, which holds a mix of refined and rough-hewn pieces. A vintage Harry Bertoia chair holds court with a B&B Italia sofa, shag carpet by Shansom Rugs, steel side table from Global Views, and steel Arco coffee table from Room. Throw pillows upholstered in fabrics from Upstate, Maharam, and Romo add punches of color. Photo by Frank Oudeman.