Living in a Lowell Loft Style Apartment
There is a small community of Lowell Lofts located in the heart of Lowell’s Historic District. These units can provide a high sense of style and a unique living opportunity.
Not only do the provide a spectacular living area, but their location in downtown Lowell also offers a lifestyle in itself.
What Is A Lowell Loft?
A Lowell loft style apartment is an industrial space that has been converted into living spaces. The repurposed mill building now houses either condominium for sale or for rent. The conversion of these industrial buildings has helped revitalize Lowell’s downtown.
A History of the Old Mill Buildings In Lowell
Lowell was where the industrial revolution started in the early to mid-1800s. The area grew exponentially as the blossoming city took advantage of the Merrimack River and built an extensive canal system to power the factories. Lowell was known for manufacturing textiles.
But around the turn of the century, manufacturing in New England started to wane as factory owners failed to update their factories and move their operations elsewhere.
By the 1950’s many of the buildings were in disrepair and boarded up. But as the 1990s rolled around many of these old mill cities, including Lowell started to revitalize their downtowns. A big part of that revitalization was to allow the conversion of these old manufacturing buildings into residences.
Some Popular Loft Complexes in Lowell
While there are multiple loft communities in Lowell, the following are some that highlight the history of Lowell’s manufacturing industry.
The American Textile Museum Condominiums– Located on Dutton Street the now-closed American Textile Museum which was housed in an old textile mill, has been converted into some beautiful Lowell loft style apartments.
The Waterfront Lofts At BootMills- Located on John Street in the same complex as the Boott Mills Cotton Museum that highlights Lowell’s manufacturing past and is part of the Lowell National Historic Park.
Renaissance on the River-A popular Lowell loft community located on the Merrimack River in the old Lawrence Mills complex. It is also part of the Lowell National Historic Park as well.
The Characteristics Of A Loft in Lowell
Many of the old textile mills in Lowell have been converted to loft style apartments that are either available to rent or buy.
The draw to the lofts is the old mill feel that can still be left in many of these conversions. Tall windows, soaring ceilings, exposed brick, exposed wooden beams and old cement or wood flooring are some of the charms of a Lowell loft.
Often a loft complex leaves each living unit unique with no two being alike. If you are looking for a Lowell loft for sale, the uniqueness allows you to express your individuality not only in the space itself but when you go to decorate your loft.
Buying A Loft in Lowell for Sale Is A Lifestyle
Buying a Loft in Lowell is more than just buying a home, it’s a lifestyle. Walking out of your Lowell loft puts you in the heart of Lowell’s Historic District. shops. One unique “mall” is Mill No. 5 a shopping mall that highlights some of the old storefronts of the city. It has a movie theatre, a farmers market and many unique local shops.
The city of Lowell also is home to many arts and cultural festivals throughout the year. The most famous is the Lowell Folk Festival. Lowell’s Fold Festival is the longest-running and second-largest folk festival in the country. There are several blocks of musicians and vendors during the festival weekend.
Summary
Living in a Lowell style apartment provides some trendy living space to call home as well as centering you in a small city that offers much of what a large city provides. It is roughly 30 miles from Boston with a commuter rail stop. It provides some affordable living space comparable to areas closer to the city but is still commutable.
Lowell offers a little bit of something for everyone.