Orange Lofts

"Dare to be different" seems to be the motto of the Battistella family, builders in 2002 of the Orange Lofts and before it of many smaller innovative single-family and multi-family projects. Today (2008) they've moved on to finish the Chocolate high rise, and construction is underway on their third high-rise project, Colours, on 1st Street SW at 13th Avenue.

The marketing phrase for Orange Lofts was "I will not be beige". It featured a naked couple's backs in an ad that some publications were shy to print. And unique the lofts are, too, not disappointing anyone who wants something different. The theme is modern industrial, a variation on the "true" loft conversion of a building from industrial uses. The project was also daring in its location, being the first investment in East Village, which hasn't exactly had a smooth ride back from urban decay. All that's about to change, with major civic investment and private projects now pending. Of course, Bow River pathways and Fort Calgary parkland is only a block away. It's a stroll to the zoo.

There are 106 wide-open and double-height suites at Orange Lofts, plus 93 titled parking stalls in a two-level below-grade parkade. Even the smallest suites have 15-foot ceilings and windows of similar height. There are six "floors", but with each suite having a raised loft, the building rises to 12 storeys. There's a unique lobby plus a party room on the main floor, and a sixth-floor (11 storeys up) roof-top deck of 2,200 square feet open to the north and the west. The layout of most suites is an entry closet, bathroom and open kitchen tucked under the loft, with stairs rising to the loft bedroom from the windows end. This design isn't for those who want to close a bedroom door while someone else watches TV or has friends over. It's pretty much all wide open, which is the point of a loft, after all.

Two-thirds of the suites have either a balcony or a ground-floor patio, and all suites have in-suite laundry hookups, although a stacking laundry set was not included in the original purchase price. A few of the most affordable suites do not have a titled parking stall. Condo contributions include in-suite electrical use as well as other utilities. All suites started out with polished concrete floors, stainless appliances and steel open kitchen shelving as opposed to cabinets. Some suites are upgraded with hardwood floors, air conditioning and an array of ultra-modern TVs, art-projection screens, powered window coverings and fancy halogen lighting. 'Tangy orange!

Exterior windows and doors at Orange Lofts are common property. I have on file original marketing material, floors plans and the Condo Plan.