By George Upton
For an authentic ‘loft’
New York’s warehouses began being repurposed as residential space in the 1940s, and by the 1960s these “lofts” were synonymous with the city’s creative scene. Although initially illegal, the industrial spaces were rezoned in 1971 and today they are much sought after homes. This two-bedroom loft in Tribeca is on the market for $5.9mn and has a Bulthaup chef’s kitchen, wood burning fireplace and balcony. The building (centre right in picture above) was constructed in 1869 and became home to the Butter, Cheese, and Egg Exchange (later the New York Mercantile Exchange). It received historic designation by the Preservation Landmarks Commission in 1991.
For a piece of local history
As part of the recent regeneration of King’s Cross, architects WilkinsonEyre redeveloped three Grade II-listed gas holders, designing residential buildings of different heights to sit within their cast-iron frames, evoking the rising and falling movements of the original structures. This two-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor has views from its balcony over Lewis Cubitt square and the Thomas Heatherwick-designed Coal Drops Yard shopping centre. Residents have access to landscaped roof gardens, a 14-seat cinema, gym and spa. The property is on the market for £1.58mn.
For a city centre hideaway
This four-bedroom property in the centre of Palermo was the paper depot of office supplies company Buffetti at the end of the 19th century. There is a large, double height living space with a glass corridor that runs between two of the bedrooms, one of which has a Jacuzzi and access to a terrace. The property is on the market for €870,000 and has private parking for several cars, accessed via a secure gate.
For a bucolic mill
Built in 1740, this four-bedroom home in Corfu was previously used as an olive mill. The recently restored property consists of the main single-storey building, which has high ceilings with the original exposed wooden beams, and a self-contained apartment with one of the bedrooms. Outside, there is a swimming pool and pizza oven, views across the island and, in a nod to the home’s history, the original mill stones, now used as a decorative feature in the garden. Situated 5km from Corfu town and the airport, the property is on the market for €1.57mn.
For high ceilings
On the market for €1.7mn, this five-bedroom home is situated in a converted comb factory in the fashionable Poble Sec neighbourhood of Barcelona. The main living space has 5-metre-tall ceilings with skylights and large windows, and there is a mezzanine area with a library and bedroom. There are a further three bedrooms on the lower floor, which opens on to a sheltered garden and patio.
Photography: Knight Frank; Greece Sotheby’s International Realty; Denis Vlasov for Sotheby’s International Realty; Italy Sotheby’s International Realty; Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty
