ABOUT OUR LIVE/WORK LOFT

On April of 2000, Tom & Alicia Tokoph signed their names to purchase the North West corner of the 5th floor at the Lofts at Orchidhouse. With a little vision and a lot of hard work this open shell of post-tension concrete and steel would one day become our office and home.



Selecting everything from lighting to flooring to the size of the plumbing pipes in the walls, construction began on the live/work space.







Piece by piece, the loft was put together and in August of 2003, the loft overlooking Mill Avenue was finally complete and Urban Realty's live/work loft was born!

With architectural design help from Ethan & Sarah Wessel of Tennen Studio, the space denotes a classic modern, minimalist style with clean lines and urban appeal. Upon entering the loft, one is impressed with a slight industrial feel as the exposed air handlers and rigid ductwork line the ceiling of the foyer. Large open spaces are created through the use of laminated glass sliding doors and panels while an Asian influence can be found in the warmth of the ebony stained hardwood floors. The great room includes the dining/meeting room and the entertainment center, but it is dominated by the German cabinetry of the Poggen Pohl kitchen designed by Steve Johnson of Atelier. Complete with Viking appliances and Sub-Zero refrigerator, this kitchen is designed to entertain in style. Large drawers provide ample storage space, at the same time, etched glass upper cabinets run horizontally above the kitchen and are lit from the inside, providing dramatic images, especially in the evening!

Unique design elements don't end in the kitchen; dual paned, double hung glass windows fill the space with light and slide open to allow the faint buzz of the city to trickle in from below. Stainless halogen spotlights dot the living space exposing the concrete ceilings and support columns. Large floor to ceiling wardrobe style cabinets line the walls, providing much needed storage space usually missing in most loft style homes.

The two bathrooms are also distinctive and relaxing. Natural limestone covers the floors and walls while the wall-hung toilets provide an extra touch of style; the infamous Philippe Starck designed them. Enriched with a wenge stained oak vanity and countertop sinks, the bathrooms provide a small-scale spa like experience.

Our live/work loft was truly a labor of love. If you have any interest in pursuing the urban lifestyle, we would be happy to share our experience with you and do our best to help you find your very own home in the heart of the city! Feel free to call us to schedule a time to meet at our live/work loft in downtown Tempe.

Tom Tokoph
URBAN REALTY & DEVELOPMENT
"Life is in the heart of the city"

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