Inside Four Stunning Tribeca Lofts You Can Actually Visit

[All photos by Max Touhey.]

Every year for the last decade and a half, Tribeca denizens open up their fancy, beautifully crafted homes to to the public as part of the Inside Tribeca Loft Tour, with proceeds from tickets going to support two of the neighborhood's green lungs: Duane Park and Bogardus Park. Held this year on October 19 from 1 to 5 p.m., shell out $60 in order to gain access to nine of the coolest, savviest apartments in the area. Curbed previewed four of the most lovely on view to whet the real estate porn appetite.

↑ First up, a four-bedroom, three-bathroom abode on Desbrosses Street, which has a double-height living room. Fully renovated in what was formerly an old caviar warehouse, the apartment went from a "remarkably inefficient" maze of little rooms and staircases to a more open space. The architect retained plenty of details and materials, including fir beams, cast iron ornamentation, exposed wood joists, arched windows, and a skylight. The stairs were repurposed with glass guardrails, pocket doors helped maximize the space, and a totally redone roof deck takes up the third level. A couple has lived here for almost five years, and in the renovated space for just two. Upping the number of bathrooms from one to three and adding the top row of windows to match the bottom in the living room were among the biggest coups.

↑ Next, a townhouse that is actually attached to a condo building (and its amenities) that also boasts a sweet back terrace and the most idyllic girl's room this side of Canal. Located on Collister Street, a family of four calls this place home, which includes two girls, age 4 and 2. The renovation gutted it "but for the walls," and combined the kitchen with the family room for a giant multi-purpose space to the right of the foyer. Towards the back, on the ground level, lies the dining room, with steps down to the living room, all fancifully decorated. A playful back deck sits at the back of the house, while upstairs lies the two kids' rooms and the master bedroom. Downstairs is a playroom and a den-slash-room for guests.

↑ Over on Franklin Street, we see some of those quintessential Tribeca columns in a massive living room-dining room-kitchen comglomeration that the owners use to throw charity benefit parties. At the far end of the living room, by the purple couch, there's a guest room and bathroom. By the bar, in the middle of the sprawling space, is an entrance to the master bedroom, bathroom, and his-and-her closets. Then, by the office and dining room table, off the entrance foyer, is a kids' mecca of sorts. This family has six kids, though not all of them live in New York full-time. Two of the children's rooms lie off a playroom with two doors: one for grown-ups, and a miniature one for the young'uns. Another bedroom nearby is used for when the older children visit.

↑ Last but not least, artist and interior designer Deborah French is opening up her own pad on Duane Street, which is filled to the brim with collectibles and furnishings gathered from around the world. Screens separate the living area from the dining area and kitchen, while the bedroom and office are more defined. "I first moved to my Tribeca loft as a sculptor, in the late 70's. At that time I lived and worked on the entire floor of about 3800 sq. ft., renting it for $400/month. I purchased the loft in 1981 and over the years it has had several incarnations," she writes in a statement. "The result is a very eclectic yet cohesive mix of textures, colors, periods, and styles woven together using elements from a diverse group of cultures, including Italy, India, Morocco, France, China, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Africa, and America. I gathered them together from my travels, Internet sites, antique shows, custom pieces, as well as ones I grew up with."
· Inside Tribeca Loft Tour [official]
· All Tribeca coverage [Curbed]