Up on the roof

A spa-style master bath has replaced stacks of books in a James Dayton-designed top-floor condo with views of the new Target Field.

November 30, 2010 at 5:17PM
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood.
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood. (Spacecrafting/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

When Maya Petrovic was growing up in a Minneapolis suburb, she dreamed of living in a downtown condo with a rooftop deck.

"I always gravitated toward the city and people," she said.

She got her wish in 2004 after she and Rob Colasanti moved to the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood.

Architect James Dayton designed the conversion of the 1916 five-story brick building to condos. It was formerly the offices and distribution center of Bookmen Inc., a family-owned regional book wholesaler that was sold to the Ingram Book Group in 2002.

"We were attracted to the raw space with light brick walls and a skylight and saw the potential for the rooftop deck," said Petrovic, a freelance writer.

Dayton helped them choose materials to enhance the classic minimalist loft interior defined by an open floor plan, 10-foot ceilings, distressed concrete floors and exposed duct work. He designed the steel spiral staircase that leads to a lofted space that has a wet bar. From there, Petrovic and Colasanti can step onto the 25- by 23-foot private rooftop deck that offers 360-degree views of the Minneapolis skyline and new Target Field. Inside the condo, they star-gaze through a window-size skylight. Other luxe features include a spa-style master bathroom outfitted with a chromatherapy-lit soaking tub.

The couple also bought into the Bookmen for its ideal location close to Mississippi River trails, a fenced dog park where they can exercise their Great Dane and scores of eclectic restaurants. Colasanti can even walk to his job as manager of the Fine Line Music Cafe.

Petrovic and Colasanti are selling their corner unit and plan to rent a condo. They no longer want to be tied down by homeownership. But since they will be staying in the North Loop, the only amenity they'll have to give up is the one-of-a-kind rooftop deck.

"On the 4th of July we always had a party," said Petrovic. "We could watch six different cities shooting off fireworks at once."

Other features:

• The 1,900-square-foot loft includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

• The corner unit offers ample floor-to-ceiling windows.

• The modern kitchen has black granite countertops, birch cabinets and distressed concrete floors.

• The media room boasts custom modernist maple shelving.

• The rooftop pavilion could be used for an office.

• Building amenities include underground parking, fitness room, business center and a pet-friendly policy.

Lynn Underwood • 612-673-7619

Joe Grunnet of Downtown Resource Group has the listing; 763-442-4639.

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The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood.
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood. (Spacecrafting/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood.
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood. (Spacecrafting/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood.
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood. (Spacecrafting/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood.
The interior of Maya Petrovic's home on the top floor of the Bookmen Lofts in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood. (Spacecrafting/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
A view of downtown Minneapolis from Maya Petrovic's deck
A view of downtown Minneapolis from Maya Petrovic's deck (Spacecrafting/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Lynn Underwood

Reporter

Lynn Underwood is a reporter for the Star Tribune's Home & Garden section covering remodeling, design, trends, new housing, architecture and gardening. She also writes for the Variety section.  

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