Wall St. property converted from commercial to residential.

Thirteen live-work lofts were recently completed at 15 Dutch Street in the Wall Street area of Manhattan. The conversion of this six-story office building into legal lofts was completed by the office of chroma AD.

This 1957 building now has 13 modern lofts that range from 1,400 to 1,600 square feet. Tax incentives and revisions to the home office requirements created by the Mayor's Revitalization Plan of 1995 prompted conversions of pre- 1961 buildings from vacant office buildings into legal residential lofts in Lower Manhattan.

The Wall Street neighborhood, characterized by tall buildings, dark streets and piercing rays of natural light, was the inspiration for these "luminous white boxes." Wall-to-wall windows and 11-foot ceilings take advantage of all available daylight. Highly reflective epoxy-resin floors bounce light throughout each loft. Monolithic black kitchens and honed-black granite vanities punctuate and contrast these "cloud-like" spaces.

Following the removal of commercial hung-ceilings, board-formed concrete beams were exposed for the first time, many up to 30 inches deep. Kitchens, bathrooms and open-spaces were located to harmonize with the existing ceiling beams and columns. Modern "L-shaped" plans were created for loft types A and B. Types C and D are rectangular in plan, with a center colonnade and a free-floating kitchen. Walk-in dressing rooms equipped with industrial Speed-Rail fittings provide privacy and ample storage. Monumental bathrooms are finished with imported porcelain tiles, custom-designed lighting and six foot granite counters.

Designed as live-work spaces, all units have category five cable with high-speed ISDN capability, allowing tenants to plug-in to the new Wall Street "Silicon Alley" just two blocks away. In addition, five-line telephone/data outlets are installed throughout. Other amenities include skylights, ceiling fans, air conditioners, refrigerators with water/ice dispensers, microwaves, garbage disposals and washer/dryers. A rooftop garden with spectacular views of the Twin Towers, Woolworth and Municipal buildings will also be available to all tenants.

According to the developer, Francis Greenburger of Time Equities, "These open spaces, completely finished to a high standard, will appeal to tenants who appreciate the latest in modern design. Those tenants have been an eclectic group of predominately European and not necessarily Wall Street types. They are an Italian film-maker, a Danish businessman, a Swiss model and artist, two British bankers, a Canadian Film Company, a London-based photo agency and an American doctor."

chroma AD is a New York-based design studio led by Alexis Briski. Since the firm's inception, they have completed projects in New York City, Canada and Mexico.