New luxury condo lofts rising on Hudson St. in TriBeCa.

The developers say it will look like it's been there for a hundred years. But that's because two years of work with the Landmarks Preservation Commission has ensured that the condominium lofts being developed by 124-130 Hudson Street LLC, on the site of a former parking lot at Ericsson Place, fit into the historic TriBeCa neighborhood.

Fast emerging as one of the most desirable residential areas of Manhattan, TriBeCa is attracting Wall Street brokers, investment bankers and attorneys because of its proximity to the city's financial hub, and young families because of the neighborhood's safety and its good public schools.

The totally new luxury building, designed by Peter DeWitt Architects in Manhattan, will offer the coveted open airiness of loft living with all the amenities of new construction. To fit into the neighborhood, the building will have only nine stories seven stories with a two-story setback. The project will feature 26 units in the brick and granite building: six two-bedrooms, 16 three-bedrooms and four four-bedrooms, ranging from 1,500 to 1,600 square feet. Five of the units, including the two penthouse units, will have their own large terraces. All the units will share the large, landscaped central courtyard on the first floor.

Most ceilings will be nearly 11 feet high, typical of lofts created from old warehouse buildings, but an unusual feature for new construction. The extensive use of windows, set back eight inches from the building facade and separated by a semblance of columns in flat brick and granite, helps to simulate the historic warehouse look while assuring that each unit enjoys maximum natural light.

And while most old buildings renovated into lofts gain only minimal inner light through a narrow atrium, 124-130 Hudson Street has been designed with a landscaped outdoor courtyard, thereby permitting more light to enter the units. Natural brightness will be enhanced because all of the units face the street and there are no tall buildings nearby.

Each loft will have central air-conditioning and heating, state-of-the-art kitchens including a sub-zero refrigerator and Viking stoves, and individual washer/dryers. The master suites will include dressing areas and master baths with a shower stall and tub with slate and limestone. Solid wood floors will be installed throughout, with fireplaces in most units.

The first floor of the building will have over 4,500 square feet of retail space, with 3,000 additional square feet of retail space in the basement. A 24-hour doorman will assist residents and welcome guests.

The principals of 124-130 Hudson Street LLC are members of the Harwood family, developers of numerous other real estate projects, including 25 Union square West, a set of three residential buildings now owned and used by New York University as dormitories; Le Triomphe, luxury housing at 59th Street and Second Avenue; and The Front Row rental property on West 43rd Street. Leading the Harwood team is Leslie Harwood, a long-time Manhattan resident.

'I'm a tremendous believer in the area - and always have been," Harwood said. "I was very positive about the prospect of rezoning the property for residential and developing the site. This is going to be an outstanding addition to the community."

In addition to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the project has been approved by the Community Board and the offices of the Manhattan Borough President.

Unit prices are expected to range from about $600,000 to over $3 million.