Go Inside an Interior Designer’s Space at Bloomfield Lofts

PHOTOS BY EXPOSURE IT REAL ESTATE MEDIA

For interior designer Kiva Brent, the appeal of Bloomfield Lofts was instant.

“I moved in eight years ago, shortly after the building was converted from a commercial property,” Brent says. “I immediately fell in love with the soaring ceilings and knew they would perfectly complement my art collection.”

That instinct was correct. 

The scale that first attracted Brent remains one of the defining features of Unit 106, located in the Bloomfield Lofts at 622 Gross St. The height of the vaulted ceilings, the exposed wooden beams and oversized industrial windows bring the character of the original building into a home designed for contemporary living.

By the numbers, the condo is compact — but doesn’t feel that way. The two-bedroom condominium measures 1,510 square feet and has two full bathrooms, plus a powder room. 

The open layout connects the living room, dining area and renovated kitchen on the main level, allowing artwork, furnishings and natural light to share the spotlight. The home owes its flexible space to the building’s roots. 

Long before it became a residential building, the structure was was a commercial laundry facility and linen warehouse. After the business closed in the late 1990s, the property remained vacant until I-Con Development transformed it in 2016.

The adaptive-reuse project created 18 residences while retaining architectural reminders of the property’s warehouse past, including ceilings reaching nearly 15 feet and large, commercial-style windows. Pittsburgh, with its deep industrial roots, has become one of the country’s leaders in adaptive reuse projects. 

Inside Unit 106, Brent leaned on her design expertise to embrace the original foundation without allowing it to dictate the decor. Warm wood, dramatic lighting and colorful artwork bring a more personal layer to the open space while letting the decades of history serve as a backdrop. 

The condo is currently listed for $550,000 by Miranda Micire of Compass Real Estate. Micire said the result of the conversion project is difficult to compare with other similarly sized units in the area.

“There’s no condo like this one on the market in Pittsburgh,” says Micire. “It’s unique and move-in ready. It has features like the soapstone waterfall countertop, an amazing primary bathroom and the vaulted beamed ceilings that you just don’t see in condo living.” 

She envisions a unique buyer for this space — someone who appreciates adaptive reuse and is looking for something beyond cookie-cutter new construction condos.  

The renovated kitchen is positioned at the rear of the main living space and serves as the anchor point for hospitality and gathering, with clear sight lines across the entire living space. 

The substantial size of the soapstone waterfall island adds a sculptural element to the kitchen while providing room for food preparation and gathering. Custom light fixtures continue throughout the residence, with even smaller details such as the switches adding a touch of design. 

“The owner has totally redone the kitchen and primary bathroom,” says Micire, noting that the condo has also been well maintained and all mechanics are in good repair. 

Both bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, giving residents and guests their own private spaces. The primary suite also includes two large closets in addition to the renovated bathroom with floor-to-ceiling tile, statement mirrors, heated floors and a spacious shower fitted with two shower heads.

Brent says that after almost a decade of putting her personal and professional touch on the condo, it’s hard to narrow down just what she loves the most. 

“I think my favorite feature is the double shower heads in the primary bathroom paired with the heated floors,” she says of the cozy, custom-designed ensuite. “Together, they make it feel like there is a spa at home.”

Even the smallest room received an expressive treatment with a designer\owner at the helm; the powder room departs from the bright main living area’s style thanks to rich wallpaper and a moodier atmosphere.

Beyond the design aesthetic and history, the home is practical, too. Amenities include in-unit laundry, central air conditioning, an assigned parking space in the secured garage and access to an on-site fitness center. The monthly homeowners association fee is $797.

For Brent, however, the home’s value has been as much about creative freedom as convenience. The generous proportions and original architectural features felt like a canvas on an easel, waiting to be painted. 

“I will definitely miss this home’s versatility,” she says. “One of the things that makes the space so special is how naturally it works with traditional, industrial or modern design. Over the years, I’ve tried all three, and somehow the home always made each one work.”

The loft’s location is near the restaurants and shops along Liberty and Penn avenues; it also has easy access to other city neighborhoods, hospitals, universities and public transportation. Some of Brent’s favorite haunts are FET-FISK and G’s on Liberty. 

“From Little Italy Days to the weekly farmers market, to the Pittsburgh Marathon and Halloween parade, there is always something happening that makes the neighborhood feel lively and connected,” she says.