Lofty Ambitioins - Housetrends - May 2008 - Pittsburgh

Lofty Ambitioins - Housetrends - May 2008 - Pittsburgh

There’s nothing like 100 years of history to add a little more ambiance to an already charming loft complex. Located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, the Cork Factory is a landmark structure that was restored and redeveloped into 297 lofts in 2004. Originally designed for Thomas Armstrong in 1901 by a well-known architect named Frederick Osterling, the cork factory was constructed in a red brick Richardsonian Romanesque style which was popular for industrial buildings at that time. Armstrong, an entrepreneur, began his venture in 1860 with the purchase of a modest cork cutting operation located on Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh. Some forty years later, he would move his operation to the strip district and build one of the largest cork processing factories in the world. The imported cork, which was stripped from the bark of cork oak trees in Spain and Portugal, kept over 1,300 factory workers busy by 1930.

The cork factory permanently closed its doors in 1974 when employment had diminished to 300 people, and the buildings remained abandoned for decades. Surrounded by Pittsburgh’s steel city, Armstrong’s neglected buildings blackened and suffered years of vandalism. Stripped of every piece of usable metal, and saturated in graffiti, his windowless shrine sat forsaken.

Sometime in the mid 90s the factory was purchased and the new owners sought to reinvent the 400,000 square feet of desolate property. Converted into loft style apartments in 2004, the landmark building retains its original red brick exterior, historic smoke stack, and engine room as part of the re-development. Today, Thomas Armstrong’s factory is a beautiful residential community and home to over 300 people.

Something different
Orville H. Lerch, a wealth management advisor to baby boomers and retirees is an occupant of one of these stylish lofts. A resident of rural Clarion County, he divides time between his Clarion home and the Cork Factory loft which is his business based home in Pittsburgh.

“A lot of people have cabins in the mountains or a home at the seashore, but I choose to have my second home in the city,” says Mr. Lerch. In the midst of a renaissance, the Strip District is an energetic area that offers unique living at good values. With top flight restaurants, dance clubs, pubs, and a renowned international marketplace, it’s no wonder why this area is a magnetic draw for urban professionals.

“It is a place to host clients in a relaxing atmosphere, on a more informal basis,” he points out. In warm weather, Mr. Lerch takes advantage of the communal outdoor patio and pool; two of many Cork Factory amenities available to its residents. The community also features boat docks in the warmer Pittsburgh months.

As in most lofts, this one is a creative and efficient use of space. Orv recruited interior designer, Ray Dortenzo, to create a comfortable and informal environment, yet one that would be rich in design. The two had met several years earlier when Dortenzo was brought in to do revisions in Orville’s Clarion residence which is a Frank Lloyd Wright prototype. “Our working relationship is based on mutual trust and respect,” explains Dortenzo. “I understand his look, his budget, and his needs.”

A Space for everything
The small entrance foyer welcomes visitors with a smart looking leather wrapped, lattice mirror. Leading into the main living space, this single large room effortlessly blends the kitchen and dining area into a knockout living room. Towering concrete ceilings make the space seem twice as big, and are a mirror image of the concrete floors below. Characteristic to lofts, the exposed ceilings show off the factory’s original pipes and beams. Looking more like sculptures or art forms, these bared elements are fundamental in urban architecture.

A kitchen area is made up of a simple wall of bleached maple cabinets, against jet black appliances. Cabinet doors with a metallic grid façade are coordinated with stainless accents to give a sleek industrial vibe. With wonderful restaurants just a stones throw away, this multi-tasking business man doesn’t spend a lot of time cooking. That being said, he is quite content with his functional, yet striking kitchen.

Although the living room shares space with two other areas, it is a creation of its own. Notable are the oversized industrial windows that showcase a southwest view of the city. “My living room window looks down the strip at a skyline with PPG and the U.S. Steel Buildings,” says the owner. “At night it is illuminated and looks like a big postcard.”

Belonging to the owner for over half a century, a Henredon chair and ottoman are covered in a geometric arts and crafts pattern. It has been reupholstered on several occasions over the years to change with the times. A fur throw, dyed in yellows and browns, sumptuously accents this quality heirloom.

“The overall idea of this area was to create it for multi-use, but at the same time keep it comfortable,” explains Dortenzo. “It was designed for watching TV, reading, or to entertain the owner’s clients and friends.” The sofa is a modernized version of a traditional camel back in soft neutral velvet. Spaghetti leather pillows and a giraffe add diversity and whimsy to the room.

Ottomans have been added for extra pull up seating, and are accented with silver studs to give visual interest and a masculine feel. The TV sits on a solid handcrafted piece. “All of the veneers of the wood are matched up perfectly and it weighs a ton,” the designer says. It came from the owner’s main residence and is another Frank Lloyd Wright prototype.

“My friends who have been to my Cork Factory apartment have said it has the same feel as my home in Clarion,” says Orv. Stone, wood, and exposed brick are dominant materials used in both residences.

The final criterion was to bring in sizeable live plants. Orv likes to have a lot of greenery, and insisted on creating space for it.

Keeping it cool
Beginning as a small square box, the bedroom was transformed into a restful sanctuary. “Everything was picked to give a warm relaxed feel, and to break up the expansive white walls and brick,” explains Dortenzo.

The duvet is a Ralph Lauren paisley with a mohair bed skirt. A headboard covered in taupe suede is trimmed with the same silver studs found in the living room. An artist’s canvas hangs over the bed, keeping in beat with the lofty décor.

Nestled in a small alcove is an impressive desk and handsome chair that has been covered in a copper tobacco silk. It is a takeoff on an 18th century campaign writing desk, and can completely fold up to the size of a small suitcase. “It’s the kind that they would have carried off to war because of its portability,” says Dortenzo. Complete with cubbies and secret compartments, it’s a grand edition to a small space.

Mr. Dortenzo compares this particular apartment and its surrounding neighborhood to popular locales in New York City. “It’s hip, like a loft you might find in Soho or even in Hell’s Kitchen,” he points out with enthusiasm. This new and chic area that native Pittsburghers refer to simply as “The Strip” is indeed echoing similar spots in the “Big Apple”.

While both areas of the country offer trendy living quarters and a lifestyle loaded with walking distance amenities, most Pittsburghers, are fiercely loyal and if given the choice, will tell you that there’s no place like home.

ResourcesInterior design: Ray Dortenzo, Raymond J. Dortenzo & Associates; Area rugs: London Oriental Rug Company; Artwork: Mendelson Gallery

This article appears in the May 2008 issue of Housetrends - Pittsburgh
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