Lofts in Tampa - hard-to-find and high-demand

I was perusing the internet and came across the article below, written by Christine Hancock, about lofts and the craze that is permeating major cities across the US. Since I live in this type of dwelling, I had to stop to read the article and found that, what I have is actually in high-demand and hard to find in Tampa!

I always think of the movie, Ghost', and how beautiful the loft was in that movie. That is what I feel is a REAL loft, characterized by big windows, high ceilings and lots of urban charm! I guess my passion for this type of dwelling is gaining popularity around the country!

The space I own is unique. Featured on HGTV's Re-Zoned on August 1, 2007, it is probably the most famous loft in Channelside and maybe all of Tampa Bay! The loft was also featured in Tampa Bay Illustrated Magazine in Oct 2004.

I have actually put this home on the market. It is big and absolutely beautiful and even has a garage, which is totally uncharacteristic of the 'loft' condos available in Channelside. The home has the best of everything but the best of it is that I own the dirt underneath as a Fee Simple residence. That means a LOT when property values for a building lot in Channelside are running about $3.5M. The footprint for my loft currently represents about a $14.3M development potential to the wise investor.

If you are interested in this property or any other exciting loft, townhome or condominium in Channelside, please feel free to call me. The Urban living lifestyle is really my passion and I love to take people around and show them what is available and what their investment at this time will mean for them in years to come. Channelside is definitely one of the best places in Tampa Bay to buy, as reflected in the ever-increasing cost to live here. This market has gone almost unscathed with the real estate lull we have been in. Homes here are still closing and property values are still increasing. This is definitely one of the most exciting places in Tampa to live!

Here is the article that prompted me to write - enjoy!

The Loft Craze
by: Christine Hancock


Proximity to transportation corridors, urban centers, and local attractions draw land-loving young professionals to high-density loft-style condominiums. If your looking for a Condo with a twist, a loft may be just the home to You.

Lofts vary in price depending on what city you are in, units in the Chicago area start around A $200, 800 square feet and top $1 million for 2,500 square feet.

A true loft, for most, is a conversion of a vintage factory or warehouse, having a harder edge of either concrete construction, or "mill" construction of exposed brick and original wood posts, beams and floors. Ceilings should be over ten feet high at least. This is increasingly very important for loft purchasers, as developers are now building condos with slightly higher ceilings than in the past. It is the height that helps give a loft the feeling of air and space. Larger windows and open concept layouts also help. Ceilings are unfinished and pipes and heating ducts are exposed. Do not expect to find a 1,000 square foot loft divided up into two bedrooms and a den. It will much more likely have a kitchen and a bathroom with the rest of the space left as one large open room, which you can work with and use according to your own functions and needs. Some people think a loft means you have a second mezzanine level overlooking the floor below, but this is simply one style of loft.

Beware of another type of loft -- the newly constructed loft (or "soft lofts"), which are for the most part "Condos With High Ceilings", and are examples of Chicago condo developers trying to cash in on the popularity of lofts. They are still great units, just not "true" lofts.

Less traditional lofts have a kitchen and living room on the lower floor and an open second floor for bedrooms.

Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Tampa have strong loft markets. The public cannot get enough of them. “Atlanta’s loft supply and demand has increased so much that there’s a separate listing for lofts in the newspaper.”