Looking for a loft to rent in Boston, Chelsea or East Boston? Start with the type of space and location you want, compare current listings, and ask about the details that vary from one converted building and residence to another.
Welcome, BostonLoftForSale.com visitors. This is the loft guide from Jeffrey Bowen’s long-running loft blog, first published here in July 2010. It covers the loft and conversion buildings he knows best in Chelsea, East Boston and Everett, plus where to start in Revere, Malden, Winthrop, Charlestown and Boston.
Boston-area loft buildings, town by town
Each building below links to its own page, with the original photographs, video tours and past listing records. Details reflect past listings and building records. Fees, parking, amenities and association rules change, so confirm them for a specific home with current condominium documents.
Chelsea lofts
Spencer Lofts — 60 Dudley Street, Chelsea
Brick-and-beam lofts in the former Everlastic and Buster Brown shoe factory. Exposed brick, timber ceilings and big factory windows, with some homes on two levels and some with patios or balconies. Past listings describe in-unit laundry, central air, assigned parking and a shared roof deck. Spencer Lofts is the building Jeffrey has worked in longest, with sales and rentals from 2010 on.
Spencer Lofts building page · Spencer Lofts gallery · Spencer Lofts video tours · Boston Globe coverage, 2010
Industrie Lofts — 950 Broadway, Chelsea
Built new in 2008 with 36 residential lofts over 3 commercial spaces. Many homes are bi-level with ceilings of 18 feet or more, polished concrete floors, private balconies, in-unit laundry and central air. The building has an elevator, heated garage parking under the building plus deeded outdoor spaces, and a 3,000-square-foot common roof deck. Past condo fees covered water, sewer, master insurance, elevator, exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow and trash removal.
Industrie Lofts video tours · Unit 27 listing record
The DaVinci Lofts — 960 Broadway, Chelsea
A 16-unit, professionally managed loft building on Broadway, built around 1920 and converted to lofts in 2001. Past listings describe polished concrete floors, high ceilings, large windows, gas fireplaces, in-unit laundry, central air and deeded parking, with pets allowed. Past condo fees covered water, sewer, master insurance, exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow and trash removal, reserves and management.
DaVinci Lofts video tours · Unit 14 listing record
Keen Lofts — 220 Spencer Avenue, Chelsea
The Tudor-style former Mary C. Burke School House, converted to lofts in 2006 by Robert Keen, on the north side of Chelsea near the Revere line. High ceilings, lots of natural light, central air, gas heat and common off-street parking. In 2022 nearly every unit was owner-occupied. Nearby transit includes the Silver Line, commuter rail and several bus routes.
Keen Lofts video tours · Unit G4 listing record
Thomas Martin Lofts — 204 Spencer Avenue, Chelsea
Ten loft condominiums in the former Horace Memorial Baptist Church, built in 1885 by Thomas Martin in the Mill Hill neighborhood and converted in 2017. Many original details remain, including hardwood floors, stained glass windows and parts of the pipe organ. Jeffrey sold the church to the developer, then sold the finished lofts.
Thomas Martin Lofts development record · Chelsea Record story, 2017
Prattville Schoolhouse — 441 Washington Avenue, Chelsea
Lofts in a converted brick schoolhouse in the Prattville neighborhood, including penthouse lofts with sleep lofts. Past listings describe hardwood floors, in-unit laundry, gas cooking, central air, deeded parking and generous storage.
Prattville video tours · Unit 306 listing record · Unit 105 listing record
More Chelsea condo buildings, from church conversions to new construction, are on the Chelsea Buildings & Developments page. See also Chelsea condos and lofts and Chelsea real estate.
East Boston lofts
Porter 156 Lofts — 156 Porter Street, East Boston
216 loft condominiums converted in 2005 from a former bra factory, about three blocks from the Blue Line. A full-service building with on-site management, deeded garage parking, a common roof deck and a community room. Some lofts are bi-level with balconies, and the penthouses on the odd side look straight at the Boston skyline. Original listings describe stainless kitchens and central air throughout.
Porter 156 building page · Porter 156 video tours
The Paris Flats — 156–160 Chelsea Street, East Boston
Thirteen residences converted from the former DiLuigi Sausage Factory, close to Logan Airport and the Blue Line. A roof deck with skyline views, hardwood floors, granite counters, gas fireplaces and central air, with a parking lot close by. Parks, the YMCA, boating, tennis and a bocce court are all nearby.
Paris Flats building page · Paris Flats video tour
Prescott School Condominiums — 1 Prescott Street, East Boston
Condominiums in the converted Prescott School on Eagle Hill, also known as Sheridan Heights, with exposed brick, air conditioning and deeded parking described in past listings.
Unit 103 record · Unit 201 record · Unit 106 record · 2017 record
More: East Boston real estate · Explore East Boston · East Boston video tours
Everett lofts
Charleston Chew Lofts — 43 Charlton Street and 210 Broadway, Everett
A brick-and-beam loft community in converted factory buildings. Layouts, parking, outdoor space and association rules vary by residence.
Charleston Chew Lofts building page · Charleston Chew video tour · Everett video tours
Lofts in Revere, Malden, Winthrop, Charlestown and Boston
Loft and loft-style condos come up across the rest of Greater Boston too. Jeffrey can pull current loft listings in any of these towns and walk you through each building’s fees, parking and association before you tour.
- Revere real estate · Revere video tours
- Malden video tours
- Winthrop real estate
- Charlestown real estate
- Boston real estate · Boston video tours
What to ask about any loft building
- Condo association: the monthly fee and what it covers, reserves, any special assessments, owner-occupancy, and rental and pet rules.
- Parking: deeded, assigned, garage, rented or on-street permit, and whether it transfers with the unit.
- Common areas: roof decks, community rooms, elevators, storage, bike rooms and on-site management.
- The home itself: ceiling height, bedroom enclosure, levels, windows and exposure, heat and cooling, laundry, flooring, and any balcony or patio.
Call or text Jeffrey at 781-201-9488, email info@chelsearealestate.com, or search current loft listings.
Choose how you want to explore Boston-area loft rentals
Photo context: This original image shows Unit 311 at Spencer Lofts in Chelsea and illustrates the brick-and-beam character found in some converted loft buildings. It does not represent every loft or a current rental offer.
What makes a loft different?
Lofts often have open floor plans, high ceilings, large windows and exposed brick, timber or concrete. Some are true factory conversions; others are newer loft-style homes. Bedrooms may be fully enclosed, partially enclosed or open to the living area, so review the actual layout rather than relying on the word “loft.”
Parking, outdoor space, elevators, in-unit laundry, air conditioning, pet rules and move-in requirements vary by building and residence. Ask what is included in the rent and verify current fees, deposits, utilities, insurance requirements and building rules before applying.
A help-first way to begin
You can start with one listing, a neighborhood, a preferred building or the kind of loft character you want. You do not need to complete a qualification form before asking a question. Jeffrey can help compare current listings and identify which facts need confirmation from the listing agent or property manager.
Ask about a Boston-area loft
Jeffrey Bowen is a Real Estate Broker Associate with Erealty Advisors Inc. Share a listing, building or question and choose the easiest way to connect.
Boston loft rental questions
Are the old prices on this page still current?
No. This page was first published as a rental marketing page, and its old price ranges and offers are preserved only in the recoverable archive record. Use the current listings search or ask Jeffrey to verify today’s availability and asking rent.
Do all lofts include parking?
No. Parking may be included, separately deeded, rented, assigned or unavailable. Confirm the exact space, cost and rights for each listing.
What should I have ready before applying?
Requirements vary, but a landlord or property manager may request identification, income or employment documentation, references, a rental application and permission for screening. Ask for the complete requirements and lawful fee information for the specific property before submitting personal information.
Can I ask about one listing without filling out a form?
Yes. Send the listing link or address by text or email, or call with your question. Qualification details can follow only when they are relevant to the help you request.
Historical page record
This URL and its original publication date remain preserved. The earlier page described Jeffrey Bowen’s loft-rental work and included old asking-rent examples, legacy contact details and a browser-generated Skype call widget. Those details are retained in the reversible source archive but are not shown as current facts.
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