July 22-28, 2004

cityspace

Loft-y Expectations

by Tasha Kates

A newly remodeled — yet historic — Center City apartment building is proving that Old City isn't the only place for hip living spaces.

Last year, Philadelphia-based developers James Campenella and Sean McDougall got together with Manhattan-based Lenard Thylan to turn the old Lithographic Publications Building on North 13th and Race streets into loft apartments. These new dwellings are part of a citywide trend toward smaller, New York-style living spaces built into historic buildings.

Simply named The Lithograph Lofts, the building has 58 units, including studio and one- and two-bedroom lofts, built on the structure's seven original floors. (The basement features a small gym and laundry area separated by a window.) Rent starts at $875 for a studio, $1,500 for a one-bedroom and $2,500 for a two-bedroom. Campenella says a quarter of the building has already been leased to young professionals and graduate students.

The lofts are part of a red brick building with an extensive industrial history. Built in 1902 as Steppacher Shirt Factory's garment-district home, the building was eventually taken over by Lithographic Publications Inc., until the company moved to New Jersey a few years ago. It's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as a model of Philly's Beaux Arts Renaissance Revival, an early 20th-century American movement that produced distinctive yet traditional buildings. Examples of this style lie in the lofts' asymmetrical facade, leafy garland pattern, masonry walls and solid pilasters.

Significant measures have been taken to retain the building's historic standing. The old Lithographic banner, Steppacher sign and wrought-iron gates were restored. To preserve the industrial feel of the building, original metal ceilings and shapely windows were touched up and resealed. Most of the old maple floor remains but has been replaced in parts for a true mesh of history with modern times.

Although the renovations have created open spaces on the ground floor of each apartment, exposed beams and pipes making it difficult to walk around the second-level rooms. Campenella says the loft rooms can be used as bedrooms or living rooms — spaces that won't be high-traffic areas.

"In Philly, they call anything with a high ceiling a loft. But they don't necessarily have real loft space," says Campenella, noting that construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the building. "It is a unique undertaking for this district."