Sales begin at Soho 25.

Sales are set to begin this spring at Soho 25, a luxury loft condominium building that is the first new-construction residential building to rise in Soho in over two decades. Located at 25 West Houston St. and occupying the full block between Mercer and Greene Streets, the $35-million, nine-story Soho 25 is unique in that it will be taller than its neighbors. Under development by Metropolitan Housing Partners, LLC, Soho 25 will offer 32 loft residences with unparalleled cityscape views to the north, east and west.

Beyer Blinder Belle designed the facade to make it compatible with its rich historic surroundings. The block-long, brick- and granite-clad building with oversized windows will appear to be two independent and historically contextual structures that have been joined mid-block. To marry the building to the downtown tradition of constructing rooftop aeries on top of existing structures, the three penthouses create the illusion of being additions to the brick structure. The project architect is H. Thomas O'Hara; the interior-design architect is Cetra/Ruddy Architects; and the structural engineer is DeSimone Consulting Engineers, LLC.

When Soho 25 is completed in spring 2004, residents and visitors will enter through a glass vestibule marked by a sandblasted geometric pattern. A gleaming floor of white polished quartz, white wall coverings and sleek white marble will be punctuated by a brushed and woven stainless-steel concierge desk, red leather upholstery and a warm panel of rich zebra wood.

Residences will feature ceilings of more than 10 feet and maple-strip flooring. Luxurious open loft kitchens will feature top-of-the-line stainless appliances, including Subzero refrigerators, Miele dishwashers, Viking ranges, wine refrigerators and garbage disposals. Unique gray-flecked Verona stone countertops will be richly contrasted by upper cabinets of stainless steel and frosted glass, full-height backsplashes of frosted glass and ebony-colored wood lower cabinets.

Most of the 32 loft residences will range in size from 832 SF to over 1,500 SF. The three-bedroom duplex penthouses, as large as 3,200 SF, will have sprawling terraces and skylights. The third penthouse will be over 1,600 SF, with two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and over 13-foot ceilings. Another very special home is over 1,900 SF with two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, 400 SF of terrace and clerestory windows. The loft homes are priced from approximately $600,000 to $4.5 million.

Residents of Soho 25 will enjoy a 3,000-SF landscaped rooftop retreat with an outdoor shower, a fully attended lobby and individual storage bins that are included in the price of each home. There is 8,000-SF of retail space on the first and cellar levels.

The Marketing Directors Inc. is the marketing and exclusive sales agent. The presentation center will open this month.