High ceilings, large windows, exposed beams and industrial vibes—these are the features that not only define a loft, but make them so desirable. Case in point: we can picture ourselves living in each and every one of the below loft spaces. Renovated by some of the West’s best designers, they’re giving us some serious home envy.

Photo: Tracey Ayton

Stomping Ground

Ben Leavitt of PlaidFox Studio completely transformed this century-old Vancouver loft; its two bathrooms were gutted while the kitchen and dining room swapped places. The one thing that didn’t change? The maple flooring. “Most clients would have ripped the floors out, but Michael and Chris were determined to make sure the home maintained a sense of history,” says the designer. See more of this playful Yaletown condo.

Photo: Tracey Ayton

Heavy Hand

With their higher-than-average ceilings and large windows, it should be easy to make a loft look good—but every space has its challenges. Take this one, for example. “[It] was really airy, floaty, kind of out of balance,” says designer Kelly Deck. “So we grounded it the best we could with dark elements, creating contrast.”

A charcoal Nathan Antony sectional, oversized BoConcept floor lamp and plush leather armchairs lend weight to the living area. Tour this minimalist Main Street loft.

Good Bones

What happens when a pair of architects move into the Arthur Erickson-designed Waterfall Building? Not much, honestly. “It’s extremely well built and robust,” says Lesley Beale of Sturgess Architecture. “The details are so well done that the challenge for us was how best to channel Arthur.”

Working with good bones meant that Beale and her husband, fellow architect Jeremy Sturgess, mostly had to address small-space issues; they added storage under the stairs, extended the bathroom and added closets around the Murphy beds to make the 920-square-foot home more efficient. Step inside this colourful West Coast loft.

Double Take

Can you believe that this double staircase wasn’t always part of this Yaletown loft? Jamie Hamilton and Greer Nelson of Oliver Simon Design added the left-hand side while renovating the 1,200-square-foot condo. It not only added great visual balance to the space, but also gave them room to sneak in an extra closet. Talk about a win-win! Check out the rest of this eclectic, industrial home.

Lumber Support

RWA Architecture’s Timber House makes sustainable materials look good—like really, really good. Panels made of CLT, an engineered wood product that produces less waste than some other constructor methods, are featured throughout this open-concept space. The walls, ceilings and floors all highlight the beautiful natural material. Explore this timber-lined New Westminster loft.

Photo: Phil Crozier

Simple Plan

Stephanie Brown’s Vancouver loft (also located in the iconic Waterfall Building) was featured in our December 2024 issue. Wondering what lies underneath the holiday decor? A home defined by clean lines, understated elegance and modern elements. “I have minimalist tendencies personally, so our home is very neutral and very calming,” says the designer. Learn more about how she renovated and decorated this Arthur Erickson-designed loft.

Kaitlyn Funk

Kaitlyn Funk

Kaitlyn is a design-obsessed writer, editor and content manager based in Vancouver. When she's not busy swooning over gorgeous homes, you can find her reading, hiking and befriending as many dogs as possible.