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Project posted by Mark Boydston

Lusso Lofts #29 Reimagined

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Location
Lusso Condos, San Diego, California
Year
-2001
Structure
Condo
Style
Modern
After: Tulip Marble & Brass Dining Table from West Elm
After: Tulip Marble & Brass Dining Table from West Elm
After: added a stairs, railings and created a upstairs "lounge area" and a place for guests to crash for the night. Shelving by Ikea, Swivel chairs and side table by West Elm
After: added a stairs, railings and created a upstairs "lounge area" and a place for guests to crash for the night. Shelving by Ikea, Swivel chairs and side table by West Elm
Bird's eye view of the Kitchen, Dining and upper level office via wall mounted ladder
Bird's eye view of the Kitchen, Dining and upper level office via wall mounted ladder
Bird's eye view of the completed spaces.
Bird's eye view of the completed spaces.
The white bench /sofa is constructed of two gas tanks, orange cubes are from Design within Reach
The white bench /sofa is constructed of two gas tanks, orange cubes are from Design within Reach
Before: 2nd main living area (opposite side of living room) Kitchen and Bathroom. The nook above to become an office.
Before: 2nd main living area (opposite side of living room) Kitchen and Bathroom. The nook above to become an office.
After: Constructed the railing, pulling electrical and carpeting for an office area.
After: Constructed the railing, pulling electrical and carpeting for an office area.
MacBook Pro and Monitor set up on a refurbished, military issued 1950's work desk, Herman Miller office chair.
MacBook Pro and Monitor set up on a refurbished, military issued 1950's work desk, Herman Miller office chair.
Before: 2nd floor main living area (kitchen)
Before: 2nd floor main living area (kitchen)
After: Kitchen by Ikea. Black subway tile to match adjacent bathroom
After: Kitchen by Ikea. Black subway tile to match adjacent bathroom
Before: 2nd floor main living area, dining
Before: 2nd floor main living area, dining
Before: 2nd floor main living area, bathroom
Before: 2nd floor main living area, bathroom
After: Black subway tile, floating vanity by IKEA, Glass shower door from Home Depot
After: Black subway tile, floating vanity by IKEA, Glass shower door from Home Depot

Details

Square Feet
651
Bedrooms
-1
Full Baths
-1

Credits

Posted by
Architect
Interior Design
Mark Boydston
Alina Leyton

From Mark Boydston

"2-level, 651-square-foot loft located in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Little Italy neighborhood. Lusso Lofts is a 31-unit complex designed and built by renowned local architect Jonathan Segal, one of the pioneers who helped revitalize this area once known as the "Tuna Capitol of the World." In the 1920s, over 6,000 Italian families lived here, working tirelessly to establish San Diego as the center of the world’s tuna industry. However, after the decline of the tuna industry on the West Coast and the destruction of 35% of Little Italy due to the construction of the I-5 freeway, the neighborhood faced nearly three decades of decline.

Jonathan Segal completed construction of Lusso Lofts in 2001 as rental units, later converting them into condos for purchase in 2008—when my journey with this place began. I was drawn to Unit 29’s layout with its high ceilings, ample windows (as a corner unit), and unique "nooks and crannies" I could reimagine for extra storage and functionality (for some reason, Jonathan didn’t design any closets).

This was my first—and only—home purchase that I could afford, and the location was perfect: just three short blocks from the San Diego Bay/Embarcadero and one block from the Little Italy Trolley Station. I was excited to reimagine this space to reflect my lifestyle. As a project manager/designer for a boutique brand agency with a love for the outdoors and social activities in San Diego, I embarked on this project, which took about eight years to complete. The renovation had its starts and stops, budget issues, "let the space speak to me" moments, and of course, the unpredictability of life.

The photos below show the before and after. In the "nooks and crannies," I created a guest lounge for friends to crash for the night and an office space above the bathroom. In the bathroom, I replaced the bathtub/shower combo with a sleek glass-enclosed shower to create the illusion of more space. I’m incredibly happy with the result, and it’s been "done" for over two years now!"