When you think of Bayonne, N.J. – nestled comfortably between Newark, Jersey City and the Hudson River – are bras the first things that come to mind? For many folks they are.
Maidenform, the pioneer of the modern brassiere, opened up shop at Avenue E and 18th Street in Bayonne in 1929 (the building was built between 1890 – 1910) – where they stayed for the next 76 years – and was once the city’s largest employer. They manufactured not only bras, but also military parachutes and carrier pigeon vests during World War II.
At that time, the five-story brick building was a landmark of the city with huge, rounded-top windows providing views of the city in all directions.
These days, the factory building, which boasts an unheard of three parking lots and sprawling views of New York City and the Bayonne Bridge, has been renamed Silk Lofts and was redeveloped into a multi-family, “Brooklyn-style” property back in 2014.
The interior of each of the building’s 85 rental lofts features original timber and support beams that are exposed and incorporated into the units’ design.
“The Maidenform factory has been an iconic building in Bayonne for over 100 years, and we’ve taken great care to maintain the history and charm of the property,” Doug Stern, the building’s developer and President of Silk Lofts, LLC, told the Hoboken Patch in 2014. “Utilizing extensive research on its origins and a creative approach to development and historic preservation, we’ve created an urban residential living experience that rivals similarly-inspired residences in areas like Brooklyn at a price point that offers considerable consumer value.”
With rents starting at around $1,500 per month for a studio, residents enjoy anywhere from 568 to 1,300 square feet of historic-meets-modern living spaces that combine 19th century restored elements with 21st century modern finishes. Mahogany front doors and exposed brick are standard in most of the units, as are 12-to-20 foot ceilings throughout the building. Check out this magazine article showing the transformation in real time & explaining about the artists’ studios and unique lifestyle these lofts offer right on the light rail.
NJ is filled with buildings that are constantly being re-invented to remain useful and current with the times, but to me, Silk Lofts is special. I remember when Leon Cohen, A.I.A., P.P., Co-Founder of CSR Group, called me after the building changed hands and we walked the empty space. I was in awe of the subfloor construction and original wood flooring that was found buried under layers of commercial flooring. As the building was stripped the ideas started to flow and true value of the buildings original bones became apparent. PARflooring was hired by CSR Group to specify, supply and install the hardwood and carpeted flooring throughout the project and I am very proud to have been part of such a quality restoration project — helping to ensure NJ buildings and communities continue to be useful and thrive. Check out some photos from PARflooring’s finished installation!
New is not always better. We can learn from the past and share our rich and diverse history with the next generation if as a society we learn to value what the past has to offer as much as the future to come.
Best Wishes,
Karen
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