New York meets Japan in this well-appointed bolt-hole with stylishly raw touches.
Lofts were once favoured by arty types attracted to simple, open spaces rather than pricey, polished finishings - but not any more. Attaining the bare, sometimes brutal look can now require extra effort and expense, especially for homeowners who desire interiors that meld raw expanses with high-end touches.
Take Michael Yen, who spent more than five years searching for the ideal home. After viewing hundreds of apartments he found a 3,300 sq ft flat in Tai Hang that allowed him to create a minimalist but well-appointed refuge for him and his family.
'During the search my needs changed,' says Yen, who married three years ago and whose children with wife Annabelle are under two. Despite the different requirements, however, he still wanted a 'New York-style' loft, which he associates with his profession. In fact, Yen, who owns an advertising agency, is such a fan he works out of a loft-like office.
The result is an airy, uncluttered expanse with traces of Japan, unfinished touches, wood flooring, black furniture and unfettered luxury. Red-brick walls, in the roomy living and dining areas, form focal points in the front half of the flat, which can be closed off from the three bedrooms and study with a sliding door. Stretching the length of the lounge is a deep balcony that Yen restored to create an outdoor area that could serve as a second dining room and children's playground. ' I wanted somewhere my kids can play without air-conditioning,' says Yen. 'Plus there's a nice view.'