There are many terms used to describe the various types and sizes of loft apartments available in NYC. While some are universal and self-explanatory, others are newly coined and uniquely regional. In some cases, the same term can refer to two extremely different types of loft apartments. What's an alcove studio, versus a mini-loft? A railroad, versus a junior 4? The following is a glossary of terms currently used in the Manhattan marketplace that should help take some of the mystery out of your loft apartment search.
This implies a big, open space that usually results from a commercial building having been converted into residential units. Lofts generally have very high ceilings and extra-large windows. Some remain open spaces with few internal walls; others have been constructed into one, two, or more bedrooms. They're mostly found in commercial neighborhoods.
Usually refers to a commercial building where some residential tenancy is accepted. A live/work space has a kitchen and full bathroom with a shower. Most often, a live/work rental means that you must do some type of business from the loft and you may live there as well. A commercial lease is used and rent must be paid by your business account.
Zoned for business use only. This loft usually has no kitchen and a small bathroom that may or may not have a shower.
There are a limited number of lofts that are reserved for "artists" only-painters, photographers, designers, etc. The term used for such specifically zoned loft buildings is Artist In Residence (AIR), and to qualify for one of these lofts one must submit a body of work and fill out a specific form to prove that your artist pursuit is true and legitimate.
In some regions, this one-room apartment is called an efficiency apartment. It is basically a one-room apartment with separate bath and a kitchen that may or may not be separate. These can range from very small (big enough for a sofa bed and a desk), to very large (can accommodate a king-size bed and have a separate sitting area and dining area)and may be referred to as Mini-Lofts.
Studios that are approximately 700+ square feet are large enough to be considered a mini-loft. A studio that is 500+ square feet could be considered Loft-Like.
A studio that is generally larger than a straight studio, and has an alcove, or a distinct separate area or nook for dining or sleeping, is referred to as an alcove studio. Often they are configured in an L shape, or they may have an area separated by an archway that can be sectioned off as a separate room.
Very simply, this means separate bedroom and living area. Some have full separate kitchens; some do not. These lofts vary dramatically in size.
A junior one-bedroom usually implies an extra-large studio or small loft, large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom.
A junior 4 is a large one-bedroom that usually has a full separate kitchen and a separate dining area, and a large foyer. You could call this "almost four rooms."
A full 2-Bedroom loft has two actual, separate bedrooms plus a living room, and may or may not have a separate kitchen. Bedroom sizes can vary widely, from a baby's room or small office to a sprawling master bedroom suite.
As its name implies, this apartment offers three separate bedrooms. Common space, kitchen, and size of the bedrooms can vary widely.
A "classic 6" is a 3-bedroom apartment-usually found in turn-of-the-century, luxury buildings-that was originally designed with two bedrooms, a maid's room, full dining room, living room, and kitchen.
This is an apartment with two levels. It could be a legitimate bi-level apartment with an enclosed upstairs and downstairs, or it could be an open space with an extra-high ceiling and a loft bedroom or mezzanine.
Same as above, but three levels.
One room leads into another, There are no separate hallways.
A loft bedroom is usually a second or mezzanine floor that overlooks the main floor of the loft. It will have a staircase leading up to it and may or may not have a window.
This is an add-on structure usually found in apartments with high ceilings (10 to 14+ feet). Typically it's like the upper portion of a bunk bed, with a ladder leading up to it. It usually accommodates a twin or a double-size mattress, although some are larger. The space below is often used as a closet or desk space, and the higher the ceiling, the more comfortable a sleep loft will be to sleep in. In some cases they will have a window and a door.
Can include light furnishings (basic furniture) or "soup to nuts" (dishes, utensils, small appliances, etc.)
Often used interchangeably to indicate an outdoor railed platform extending from the apartment. It can be small enough to accommodate one or two persons standing or large enough for a picnic table, lounge chairs, and plants. It usually has a roof provided from the balcony/terrace of the apartment above.
This implies a larger terrace or patio provided by the roof of the extended floor below. It usually has brick wall barriers around the perimeter, is open to the sun, and some wrap around the corners of the building. A roof terrace or roof sun-deck can be private or it can be a common space shared by all residents of the building.
Many ground floor loft apartments offer private access to the backyard. It can be tiny or large, and in larger buildings with multiple rear exits, it may be semiprivate or shared.