Condo loft conversion at 144 West 18th St. drawing interest.

A new condo loft conversion at 144 West 18th St. is already generating an unusual amount of interest from both brokers and prospective purchasers, even though it won't be coming onto the market officially until mid-October.

"Based on the location in red-hot Chelsea and the amount of space being offered at 144 West 18th St., the inquiries I've been getting just from word of mouth have been phenomenal," says Helene Luchnick, executive vice president of Insignia Douglas Elliman and exclusive agent for the distinctive red-brick building.

Luchnick noted the opening will coincide with completion of the model unit this month. The lofts are expected to be ready for occupancy in the spring.

The 18 loft residences at 144 West 18th St., between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, are priced at $985,000 to $2.25 million for two- to four-bedroom residences ranging from 1,350 to 3,400 SF. In addition, by taking advantage of unused air rights, the builders added two glass-enclosed penthouses -- a simplex and duplex -- priced at $ 1.995 million and $2.495 million respectively, for 1,750- and 2,000-SF residences with front and rear terraces.

Developers of 144 West 18th Street are Christian Pompa and Barry Leistner, with construction supervised by Joseph Calomino and Dario Costella.

As Luchnick notes, the Chelsea property is an "authentic" conversion of a factory building from the turn of the last century that most recently held the heavy machinery of the Eastern Chain Works. The advantages of converting such a building to residential use are the exceptionally sturdy construction that contributes to "built-in" soundproofing and the high ceilings -- from 9.5 to 11.5 feet high -- so desirable today. Another original detail, a bonus retained in the conversion, are handsome eight-foot-high window openings, arched on the fifth floor.

The contemporary finishes, fixtures and other amenities in the interiors belie the vintage facade of 144 West 18th Street and its setting in a traditional Chelsea streetscape. The lofts feature eight-foot-high double-glazed Alpine thermal windows, distinctive wide-plank maple floors and solid-core doors. Oversized granite island kitchens by Arclinea are equipped with top-of-line appliances that include a Subzero refrigerator;

Miele cooktop, double-convection wall oven, dishwasher and a Franke sink with Hansgrohe hardware. The master baths in each loft, with stone floors and walls, feature double wood vanity with stone counter and ceramic surface-mounted sinks, and a six-foot soaking tub.

Most master baths also have separate stall showers. The second baths in each apartment have ceramic mosaic tile floors and walls as well as a six-foot soaking tub. There is also a powder room in each residence.

Other amenities at 144 West 18th St. are an ultramodern lobby with doorman, a seventh-floor sundeck for all residents; individual storage rooms and a common bicycle/pram room.

The condo is located within easy walking distance of the revivified "Ladies' Mile" shopping district of chain and specialty stores on Sixth Avenue from 15th to 20th Streets. The property is also near such stellar restaurants as Le Madri, Da Umberto, Tonic and Old Homestead, and various cultural attractions, including Joyce Theatre, Atlantic Theatre Co. and a variety of other small Off-Off-Broadway theatres on the side streets of Chelsea.