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The Oriental Warehouse Is Why We Love Lofts

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Top-floor space in landmark South Beach building comes with exposed brick and timber

Lofts in San Francisco get a bad rap—understandably so. Too many old industrial warehouses in neighborhoods like Mission Bay or the Mission District have been turned into staid, antiseptic living spaces. But the Oriental Warehouse in South Beach proves a beautiful, important exception.

The landmark building’s top-floor loft 311 lands on the market this week. It comes with one or two bedrooms, depending how the space is used, two full bathrooms, and approximately 1,410 square feet. Loft 311 is also one of a few residences at the Oriental Warehouse that have exposed timber ceilings.

The brick and timber have been left unharmed during a 2013 renovation, the result of which pairs well with its industrial surroundings.

Asking price for 311 is $1,795,000.

The lofts were built back in 1996 as an Edmonds + Lee-designed facadism conversion of the 1867 landmark Oriental Warehouse. The brick building originally belonged to the San Francisco of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, the first firm to pioneer regular trade, passenger, and mail service between the U.S. and Asia.

It was used as a storage and distribution point for tea, rice and silk. It designated a landmark by the city in 1977.

The Oriental Warehouse

650 Delancey Street, San Francisco, CA