On the Market: A True Loft Condo in Hawthorne

1352 South St., Unit 305, Philadelphia, Pa. 19147 | Bright MLS images via Keller Williams Philly

There are plenty of buildings out there that style themselves “lofts.” Just about any old factory or warehouse that gets converted into apartments or condos, for instance. The mere presence of bare concrete, exposed brick, varnished wood ceilings and exposed ductwork, it seems, are enough to get a place designated as a loft.

Building exterior and main entrance

But if we want to get technical about it, most of these lofts would not meet the original definition of the term. Prior to the widespread conversion of old industrial buildings into residences, a “loft” was an upper story, usually partial, tucked under the roof or ceiling of a larger space. Said loft might have stored hay in a barn, or it could have housed a choir if it was in a church, or it could have served as the sleeping quarters or office space for a workshop located below.

Yet there’s no denying that, in whatever form, loft residences are popular. So popular, in fact, that at least one developer hereabouts built a brand-new building full of them in the mid-2000s.

Units at 1352 Lofts, at that address on South Street in Hawthorne, don’t come on the market too often. Which makes this striking loft condo for sale a rare opportunity.

This bi-level loft condo for sale has all the basic requisites plus some. Under its soaring 20-foot-high raw concrete ceiling you will find:

Main floor

A true open-plan living space combining dining area, kitchen and living area.

Balcony

A living room with a soaring 20-foot-high raw concrete ceiling, exposed ductwork and a floor-to-ceiling window with doors that open onto a spacious private balcony. Even after the houses that went up across Kater Street from this unit blocked some of it, plenty of natural sunlight continues to pour through that window, especially in the morning and evening.

Dining area

Kitchen

The kitchen and both bathrooms got significant upgrades that refreshed their contemporary decor and added new, more stylish fixtures and up-t0-date appliances.

Bedroom

Above the kitchen and dining room is the loft space that serves as your bedroom. In addition to its own bathroom with tile shower, it has a huge walk-in closet.

The building itself is a looker too, with a hip modern lobby and enclosed parking garage. This unit comes with a deeded parking space in that garage.

In addition to the interior amenities, this condo for sale comes with a great one on the outside, namely, its location just off the Avenue of the Arts. Within walking distance are the city’s biggest and best performing-arts facilities, a slew of eateries catering to every taste and budget, and neighborhood shopping on South Street and in the Italian Market.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 1

BATHS: 2

SQUARE FEET: 1,537

SALE PRICE: $550,000

OTHER STUFF: The building is pet-friendly, natch, and there’s a 24-hour concierge in the lobby. This condo’s sale price has been reduced three times, most recently by $20,000 on June 4th.

1352 South St., Unit 305, Philadelphia, Pa. 19147 [Mike McCann | The Mike McCann Team | Keller Williams Philly via Zillow]