Lofty Ambitions

Downtown condos and townhomes are usually described as upscale, luxurious, trendy or chic.

But few pitch “workforce” housing. An exception is Francis Street Lofts, a new 12-unit development in a former church just off upper King Street.

The developer made a point of producing the lofts – priced at $169,900 to $250,000 – so that people with less than a fat pocketbook could purchase units.

Take Aaron Gruler. Formerly in the Coast Guard, Gruler now works in an information technology position for the Department of Defense. He bought a 692-square-foot unit with stainless steel cable railings and a metal staircase that spirals over three levels.

“I love it,” says Gruler, who put a contract on the property a year ago as he awaited completion of the loft. He moved in earlier this month. “It’s a convenient location, a bike ride for shopping.” Hampton Park is a block away, a scenic place to walk his dog. There’s also a community courtyard outside the first floor.

“We do a lot with a small space,” says Bob Holt, project backer with Charleston Development Co.

An example is the kitchen, which while hardly roomy nonetheless has high-end appliances. The unit also has solid wooden doors and pine floors. Some of the appliances, from microwaves to stackable washers and dryers, are the smallest high-end models available to save on space.

“In workforce housing, you don’t usually see Avanti and Jenn-Air (brands),” he says.

Francis Street Lofts is housed in a former brick church dating to 1937. Brickwork on the façade made to look like stained glass was retained, as were the frames of the stained-glass windows.

Holt is the developer, while his brother George Holt and Andrew Gould designed the units via their venture New World Byzantine Architects. Local contractor Robert Morris and Associates is the builder.

The units, all one bedroom, range from 620 to 1,100 square feet. There are one-, two- and three-level lots, each with a separate entrance. While prices were held down, there was no cutting back on design features.

“Every living area has exposed beams,” says Kristin Galmarini, listing agent.

According to the lofts’ Web site, units offer contemporary European kitchen designs; metal tubs with porcelain veneer; tile shower surrounds; 8- to 20-foot ceilings; floor-to-ceiling windows; green-building design including closed cell spray foam insulation on interior and exterior walls; tankless hot water heaters; pocket doors; enhanced lighting system to better display wall art; and, in most units, wood-burning fireplaces with custom mantels.

Main floors are either hardwood or stained concrete. Bathrooms feature tile floors. Track lighting and industrial ceiling fans give the lofts an urban appearance. Door windows, in some cases arched, were installed in the former stained-glass frames to keep the church look. Another feature on most units is a split heating and air conditioning system with separate controls upstairs and down.

The styles are semi-custom, with enough flexibility for buyers to install options such as a fancy shower in one unit, Galmarini says. Each loft is a bit different: one unit has a step-down kitchen with rows of custom cabinets that act as a pantry while also hiding the microwave. Most have railings overlooking the main floors.

The property has off-street parking on the south side of Francis Street, she says.

While most of the buyers are age 35 or younger, there are middle-aged and senior residents, too. Francis Street Lofts, says Holt, “is for working people who want to live downtown.”

To find Francis Street Lofts from Charleston’s business district, travel north on King Street above the Septima P. Clark Crosstown. Look for Francis Street on the left. Once on the street, the lofts are the second building on the right, at 2 Francis.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postancourier.com

Neighborhood: Francis Street Lofts

Location: Charleston County

Phone: (843) 475-4002

Hours: By appointment

Web site: www.francisstreetlofts.com