The Bassett Creek Lofts are true lofts, carved from an early 1900s manufacturing facility in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. When developer Schafer Richardson converted the brick building, the company preserved its structural frame and the interior concrete beams.
That's part of what enticed Dave Reich to buy the top-floor condo in 2003.
"I wanted to have big, livable open spaces without it feeling like a cavern," he said.
Reich started with what was essentially an empty rectangle box with two levels of floor-to-ceiling windows. To soften the industrial edge and warm the tall-ceilinged space, he chose an abundance of natural materials, including reclaimed brick, wood and Italian tile.
He also added a few unique touches, turning an old elevator shaft into an open-steam shower and adding a mod white spiral staircase, which leads from the living room to the second-floor family room and office. Just off the family room, there's a rooftop terrace with views of the downtown skyline. Reich outfitted the terrace with a paver patio and a hot tub.
Reich was single when he bought the loft. Now a married man with two kids, he's relocating to San Diego for a job.
"The kids are really going to miss watching the fireworks over the river during the Aquatennial," he said.
OTHER FEATURES
• The 2,400-square-foot, two-level loft has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
