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minneapolis lofts and condo guide

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Loft Trends in Minneapolis

Minneapolis loft trends have hit the metro area in a big way.  The Mississippi Riverfront areas have attracted the heaviest concentration, but there are many loft projects in Minneapolis' North Warehouse District and around St. Paul's Lowertown and North Quadrant.   

A true loft is a conversion of a vintage factory or warehouse, having a harder edge of either concrete construction, or "mill" construction of exposed brick and original wood posts, beams and floors. Ceilings should be over ten feet high at least. This is increasingly very important for loft purchasers, as developers are now building condos with slightly higher ceilings than in the past. It is the height that helps give a loft the feeling of air and space. Larger windows and open concept layouts also help. Ceilings are unfinished and pipes and heating ducts are exposed.

Do not expect to find a 1,000 square foot loft divided up into two bedrooms and a den. It will much more likely have a kitchen and a bathroom with the rest of the space left as one large open room, which you can work with and use according to your own functions and needs. Some people think a loft means you have a second mezzanine level overlooking the floor below, but this is simply one style of loft.

Faux lofts, which are newly constructed lofts (or "soft lofts"), which are for the most part "Condos With High Ceilings", are examples of Minneapolis condo developers trying to cash in on the popularity of lofts. They are still great units, just not "true" lofts.   There are many projects advertising lofts for sale, just use caution and make sure to inquire whether or not the lofts are new construction or restorations of existing buildings!

Minneapolis lofts are found mostly in the Warehouse district and downtown Minneapolis areas.   Quite a few of the Minneapolis lofts and even condos are priced over $300,000.   However, in 2007 there are a glut of new Minneapolis lofts as developers are building and restoring projects at a record pace.   All of this development is putting some pricing pressure on the market, so be on the lookout for deals and specials!

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