Loft

A loft is an apartment that lies over the top of another larger space. One of the more common examples of this is an attic above the dwelling space of a home. A loft can also be found in business districts and is common in the downtown areas of some small towns. In this instance, a loft consists of an apartment over the top of a retail store and may in fact be that business owner's residence. Lofts are usually not partitioned into rooms but instead are vast open areas that serve multiple purposes. Those who live in lofts may enter through the business or dwelling space below, or there may be a private entrance on the outside of the building to allow tenants access. Lofts sometimes have spectacular views of the city skyline or private access to a rooftop terrace.