Loft
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{{wiktionarypar|Loft}}
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:typical_attic.jpg|thumb|right|A loft, in the sense of the word meaning "[[attic]]."]] -->
'''Loft''' mainly refers to two different types of [[room (architecture)|room]]s.
It typically refers to an upper [[floor|story]] or [[attic]] in a [[building]], directly under the [[roof]]. Alternatively, it can refer to a '''loft apartment''' which is a large adaptable open space either created or converted for residential use.
==Attic==
An upper room or [[floor|story]] in a [[building]], directly under the [[roof]], used either for storage (as in most private houses), for a specific purpose, e.g. an "[[organ loft]]" in a [[church]], or to sleep in (sleeping loft). In this sense it is roughly synonymous with [[attic]], the major difference being that an attic typically constitutes an entire floor of the building, while a loft covers only a few rooms, leaving one or more sides open to the lower floor. In barns a hayloft is often larger than the ground floor as it would contain a year's worth of hay.
==Loft apartment==
[[Image:Cotton's Gardens.jpg|right|thumb|Warehouses converted into loft apartments in [[Hoxton]], [[London]]]]
Loft apartments are apartments that are generally built into former [[Industry|industrial]] buildings. When industrial developments are developed into [[condominium]]s instead of apartments, they may be called '''loft condominiums'''. The general term '''warehouse-to-loft conversions''' may sometimes be used for development of industrial buildings into apartments and condominiums. "Loft-style" may also refer simply to developments where a street-level business occupies the first floor while apartment "lofts" are placed '''above''' the first floor.
Sometimes, loft apartments are one component of municipal [[urban renewal]] initiatives that also include renovation of industrial buildings into [[art gallery|art galleries]] and [[studio|studio space]] as well as promotion of a new part of the city as an "[[arts district]]."
Originally popular with [[artist]]s, they are now highly sought-after by other [[Bohemianism|bohemian]]s, and the [[gentrification]] of the former manufacturing sectors of large cities is now a familiar pattern. One such sector is [[Manhattan]]'s [[Meatpacking District]]. The adoption of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance (2001) in the City of [[Los Angeles]] (primarily the [[Arts District, Los Angeles, California|Arts District]]) is another example of such legislation to encourage the conversion of no longer economically viable industrial and commercial buildings to luxurious residential loft communities. Such is the demand for these spaces among the well-off that [[real estate developer]]s have taken to creating ready-made "lofts" in urban areas that are gentrifying or that seem primed to do so. While some of these units are created by developers during the extensive and costly renovation of old buildings, a number of them are included in the floor plans of brand new developments. Both types of pre-fab loft offer wealthy buyers or renters the proximity to urban amenities afforded by traditional lofts, but without the perceived safety risks of living in economically depressed industrial areas. Detractors argue that these ready-made units are neither produced nor consumed in the spirit of traditional loft living.
==Other lofts==
===Commercial loft===
A commercial loft refers to a building that has ceilings over 17 feet (5 m) in height and a second story area for storage or offices above. These are usually industrial spaces with an added office element on a second level.
===Rigging loft===
A raised area or [[gallery]] in a [[shipyard]] where workers stand while fitting [[rigging]].
===Sail loft===
A large open space used by [[sailmaker]]s to spread out [[sail]]s.
===Church architecture===
Some churches have a [[choir loft]], where the [[choir|singers]] stand or sit during services. Sometimes the [[Organ (instrument)|church organ]] is located in a loft.
==See also==
*[[Loft bed]]
*[[Attic]]
*[[Warehouse District]]
*[[Manhattan loft]]
==External links==
*[http://www.myworkman.co.uk/articles/loft_conversion.php Article about loft conversions]
*[http://www.neilraymond.co.uk/building-advice/loft-conversion-planning-advice Loft Conversion Advice and Ideas]
==Sources==
{{nofootnotes|date=July 2006}}
[[Category:Rooms]]
[[Category:Apartment types]]
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