Buying a loft in Paris

Lofts are homes resulting from the redevelopment of former workshops, factories or warehouses into housing. They are characterized by large open living spaces with high ceilings, generous volumes and, very often, in addition to classic days, zenithal lighting thanks to skylights. Architectural traces of the original construction are regularly preserved: metal beams, skylights, concrete floors...

Who are the loft lovers?

Loft lovers are looking for large living spaces that are open, bright, quiet, and unconventional. In our contemporary cities where everything tends to shrink due to the concentration of the population, the loft offers an interesting alternative. Lofts sometimes combine large interior volumes and outdoor spaces (terrace, garden, balcony).

Originally, artists began to invest in abandoned factories or warehouses to live and work there. This artistic spirit, bohemian, unusual, off the beaten path remains present in the minds of loft lovers. The decoration of the lofts is often sparse, it highlights the volumes, the architecture of the place and the light. Design and industrial references take pride of place.

In France, lofts developed from the 1980s in the Paris region in former industrial districts, such as in the North and East of Paris and the municipalities near Paris such as Ivry, Montreuil, Pantin in the North but also Malakoff in the South.

Buying a Parisian loft: what you need to know

The use of a place can be residential or commercial, warehouse, etc... What is important for the future purchaser of a loft is to clearly identify whether the destination of the property he is going to buy is for residential use or not.

Because of their history, lofts were originally not for residential use. Sometimes the change of use has been requested and accepted. It is necessary to obtain the agreement of the condominium and urban planning. This does not prevent the owners from living there for many years. But this situation leads to a discount that you must know how to assess before buying a loft in Paris.

In general, if the condominium regulations do not prohibit changes in use and if they are not contrary to the city's urban planning rules, then it is not difficult to obtain a change of use in a home.

Loft for sale in Paris

Our real estate hunters Tell me about Paris know perfectly well the issues associated with loft transactions. They will be able to find you the old renovated factory in the neighborhood you like, the workshop to be converted, the prestigious loft, the warehouse that has the qualities you are looking for to set up your living space there, and advise you for these atypical acquisitions.