135 Hudson Street, 6-R

Overlooking Beach Street, above the bustle of TriBeCa, an inspiringly bright and open artist's atelier is a treasure to be preserved. With only two residential occupants since the building was constructed in 1886, not much has changed in this top floor space.

Unusual original details abound: a unique, hybrid ceiling construction of intermittent cast-iron beams connected by heavy wood timbers, all overlaid with whitewashed, tongue-and-groove 1.75in thick roofing planks; two French door bricked archways open to reveal windowed bedrooms, one with huge, vestigial freight elevator wheels in the bulkhead; a large (5x11x5ft) windowed cupola rises above the middle of the loft; and there is patch-worked hardwood flooring and exposed brick throughout. Five skylights and a 70ft long wall of south-facing windows allow sunlight to flood into every corner of this loft, even the bohemian bathroom with views of One World Trade Center. The simple survivalist kitchen has one essential modern convenience, a washer and dryer. Architects will froth for the opportunity to re-design this, but this is a purist's dream - don't touch a thing!! Love does not come easy: five flight walk-up is worth every step as this loft will inspire anyone who is creative at heart.

Designed by Kimball & Ihnen in 1886, 135 Hudson Street is a unique expression of the simplest possible construction - Utilitarian in essence, with Romanesque Revival elements. The late 19th Century architectural critic, Montgomery Schuyler, praised Kimball for making his effect by his abstinence in the use of ornament and creating a building of no style which yet has style. The building stands on the corner of Beach Street across from what was once the city's first private gated park, St John's Park, and replaced what was once one of the many upper class mansions that surrounded the park.

The 135 Hudson Street Cooperative was formed in 1973 (before this neighborhood was even known as TriBeCa!) as an artist live/work co-op with 13 units. Predominantly owner-occupied, the co-op has its permanent certificate of occupancy and no underlying debt, which keeps monthly maintenance extremely low. The building has bike storage and each unit has a small storage space in the basement. Sorry, no dogs allowed.