Who doesn’t love a good renovation project in the Hudson Valley? In Newburgh, The Lofts at The Foundry fit the bill just right, with an added bonus of being a historic locale in the region.
A new, loft-style apartment complex in Orange County, The Lofts at The Foundry are the result of a transformation of a 19th-century ice machine and steam engine factory. The project is a special partnership between Mana Tree Properties, a development firm focused on repurposing and restoring historic buildings; Affordable Housing Concepts LLC, a general contractor and developer with a specialization in workforce and senior housing; and Attic Labs LLC, a Newburgh-based developer with a focus on historic redevelopment.
What Are the Lofts at The Foundry?
Working together, the trio of businesses operated under an impressive timeline, starting construction in spring 2022 and wrapping in late-summer 2023. The resulting structure is one that pays homage to the building’s past through original exposed bricks and beams as well as lofted ceilings. Its units are spacious, with the average apartment sitting around 915 sq ft. Both single-floor and two-floor loft-style apartments are available. As far as layout goes, offerings range from one-bedroom to two-bedroom units, with options for one or two bathrooms and one or two floors per unit. Many of the units on the fourth floor are penthouse-style spaces that boast floor-to-ceiling windows.
“The apartment interiors are designed in a minimalist, industrial style to provide a spacious, light-filled feel,” notes Eric Edelman, a partner at Mana Tree Properties. (Fun fact: His grandfather was a civil engineer who helped build the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.) Edelman adds that all apartments boast stainless steel appliances, as well as modern fixtures, an in-unit washer/dryer, and hardwood floors.
In addition to picturesque apartment spaces, The Lofts also boast an internal Zen courtyard in which residents can participate in future programming, as well as outdoor grills and indoor and outdoor parking. On top of that, they’re in walking distance to both the Newburgh waterfront and Liberty Street, where an abundance of restaurants and shops await.
A History of the Project
While The Lofts at The Foundry may be a new addition to the Hudson Valley, the origins of the project echo back to 2020, when Mana Tree Properties and Attic Labs found out that the building, originally built as the Whitehill Engine Factory in 1890, was for sale through a bankruptcy auction process in fall 2020.
“Both groups had long had their eyes on the property because of its great location and Hudson River views,” Edelman explains. For Edelman, who works with partners Jacob Chai and Michael Engels at Mana Tree, which was founded in 2019, the old rail car factory represented the chance to revitalize a longstanding, forgotten building in the region. Upon partnering up with Andrew Schrijver, whose firm Attic Labs has focused on historic restorations and development in the Hudson Valley region since its inception in 2015, they were able to participate in the auction and acquire the property. The two groups teamed up with Affordable Housing Concepts, which has roots in Gardiner dating back to 1983, to tap into its experience with large mill conversion units (does the Lace Mill in Kingston ring any bells?).
Once the property was secured, the trio got to work to restore the building and tap into its full potential. They aimed to keep the buildout as local as possible and worked with a number of area talents, including AJ Coppola of Coppola Associates in Newburgh for architectural planning and Newburgh-based TEROTTI for interior design. Affordable Housing Concepts served as the general contractor.
Fun fact: During construction, The Lofts welcomed an independent movie production for filming onsite.
The Lofts at The Foundry Today
Now ready for their grand debut in the Hudson Valley, The Lofts opened for tours on October 10. As of press time, 45 units are still available.
Looking ahead, the partnership team is actively looking for new projects throughout the Hudson Valley.
“We own several development sites in Newburgh and other Hudson Valley cities where we plan to build apartments,” Edelman notes.
Find the leasing office at 43 Edward Street in Newburgh.
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