Monday, November 17, 2008

An Old Love

When I was growing up there was a multi-story, abandoned warehouse that we'd pass on our drive downtown. Every time I'd gaze upon its cracked and broken windows, I remember finding it sad that a building I found so beautiful sat empty, looking so neglected and unloved.


I always dreamed of the building receiving a new life, a new owner, someone who would see the beauty I saw and lovingly restore the place into something even grander than its industrial beginnings. A place that would come to be filled with happiness and laughter and would shine brightly in reflection of that love.


I'm still head over heels with the idea of converted spaces and find myself dreaming the same dreams when I pass a lovely and lonely building that seems forgotten by time.


While there are plenty of old beauties yet to be reclaimed, sadly, I believe, including the one I fell in love with so long ago, I'm glad that more and more seem to have found new lives as residential, commercial, and office buildings.


I have been craving industrial pieces and spaces recently, and this amazing warehouse at Airspace certainly helps feed that! The exposed brick walls, the old wood plank floors, the concrete and metal all send my heart aflutter.


And I keep hoping that one day, when I'm visiting the place where I grew up, I will discover that my loved building has finally become loved by someone else as well.

All images here and here.

12 comments:

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

I have a thing for factory converted flats, especially top flats that are open living and also has that old factory charm! would be great to setup a studio too! these images are so charming, love it

Diane said...

I agree with everything you said... I used to live in Chicago and the warehouses always attracted me. I got lucky though and for a few years I was able to have one of those in Highland Park Illinois where I ran my craft manufacturing business out of. My office was filled with light... the brick was white and the floors were a blue gray.. it was a wonderful time.

Courtney said...

My kind of building for sure! They seem to hold so much warmth even in the midst of all the concrete, brick, and steel!

corine said...

I love that last cabinet. I wonder if i could make one by stealing my neighbors mailboxes.

Anonymous said...

Mmmm...yum yum. These are gorgeous pics. I just love all the Airspace locations.

And I hear you about abandoned industrial spaces. They almost have this haunted history that I want to make myself a part of. Plus they always have the most gorgeous wood floors!

Jane Flanagan said...

I fantasize like that too. About churches and school-houses and run-down Georgian ruins. And later, about warehouses and barns and ramshackle sheds. In fact, I never walk by any of these without wanting to rescue them...

cassandra said...

LOVE this look too. there are so many great old buildings out there to be converted and shared and loved! these images are wonderful... ESPECIALLY that bar sign! very cool find m'dear.

Brown Button Trading said...

awesome, awesome - those lockers are fantastic - and the big letters..... - Emma (white and wander) will have a fit over this place, brilliant find Courtney xx

Courtney said...

Tina- A studio would be heavenly in such a space!

Diane- You actually got to run your business out of one! How envious am I? :) "The brick was white and the floors were a blue gray" Sounds incredible.

Courtney- They do have such a warmth even in the midst of the brick, concrete, and steel.

Corine- Ha! Better be careful to not get caught ;)

Anne- oh, the wood floors...

Jane- I dream of rescuing all of those types of places as well!

Cassandra- The bar sign fits so perfectly with the location, huh?

Kimberlee- I so love the lockers as well!

ABC Dragoo said...

Goodness - these spaces are so amazing. WOW. Great find Courtney. Thanks for sharing!

alissa said...

great collection of photos!

Maia said...

Oh, absolutely! My kingdom for a converted warehouse! One of my few regrets is that I never lived in a loft space while I was single and light of belongings.

Lovely blog!