The Textile Building being converted to loft condos.

The Textile Building at 66 Leonard Street in Tribeca is a turn-of-the-century gem designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh, whose prominent works include The Plaza Hotel and The Dakota. In converting the building to loft condominiums, the development team - Chessed, LLC and The Sunshine Group saw an opportunity to blend the classic lines of the building's exterior and to energize its interior space with outstanding design.

"We wanted The Textile Building at 66 Leonard Street to represent the ultimate in style, sophistication and taste," said Louise Sunshine of The Sunshine Group, exclusive marketing and sales agent for the property. "These qualities will be extended to incorporate the highest level of amenities and services."

To achieve this goal, they selected Jay Valgora, one of New York's "hottest" young interior designers, who saw the possibilities immediately. Valgora, the principal in charge of design at The WalkerGroup/CNI who was formerly Director of Design at the Rockwell Group of Architects, is internationally known. His innovative ideas and ingenious use of materials at The Textile Building at 66 Leonard Street set a new standard for creativity in residential design.

"We wanted to do justice to Hardenbergh's exterior, yet infuse The Textile Building at 66 Leonard Street with a distinct identity and the vivacity of the Tribeca neighborhood," Valgora said.

For most of its existence, the 12-story Textile Building was used by manufacturers and importers of textiles from around the world. Its new use as a residential building will incorporate that rich history with displays of antique American textiles and richly textured finishes, including unusual fabrics laminated in glass, a bridge of thick glass and steel pavers, hammered copper, "blackened" steel and unique wire glass kilned to achieve a pillowed effect. This elegant use of "industrial" materials will contrast with rich, warm and rare materials.

While an on-site sales office is being prepared, a sales and design center for the building has been created at The WalkerGroup/CNI's offices. The Sunshine Group's Annabelle Schachner, sales director for The Textile Building, is reporting enthusiastic and unprecedented interest in the 46 condominium lofts. "We have a long waiting list of interested and eager purchasers," she said.

Features of the building that will be preserved include elevator doors engraved with a weaving machine motif, the original steel columns and the building's art deco stainless steel entry doors, which were added in the 1930's.

In addition to the 46 condominium lofts, a penthouse floor will be added atop the building.

Two enticing features of The Textile Building are The Library, designed to replicate the reception areas of the great New York hotels which were once the "living rooms of New York," and a Media Room, which will include video conferencing capabilities.

Other features include a garden, as well as a rooftop terrace with a children's play area, a fitness center, a bicycle room and an onsite attended parking garage. Each residence includes a fireplace, choice of imported hardwood floors, individually controlled HVAC, state-of-the-art wiring and supersized closets.

The two- and three-bedroom loft condominiums range from 1,880 to 3,000 square feet, with prices from $775,000 to $2.5 million. Completion is scheduled for December 1999.