Stacks Loft Tour

On a chilly day in early December I embarked on tour of the Stacks Lofts (better known as the Cotton Mill Lofts) in Cabbagetown. 

With my friend Emily Browne and one of the remnants 

of the building's former life as a cotton mill.

I have been on other loft tours in the city so I had a decent idea of what to expect, I must say however, that I was pleasantly surprised.

The textile mill was built in 1881 by European immigrant Jacob Elsas. The mill manufactured bags out of cotton bales intended primarily for grain distribution and closed it's doors in 1975 when semitrucks and open rail cars became a popular form of transportation for grains.

Unique artifacts like this sewing machine pictured 

are sprinkled throughout the public spaces.

The appeal of loft living for me resides in the idea of how you can take something with bare bones and make it uniquely your own, without the risk of things looking odd or out of place. Modern works. Traditional works. Eclectic works.

This sophisticated and seductive space was created by the homeowner, 

MaRae Simone, who works as a designconsultant and is the founder of Condo Stylist.

 

                  

Refreshments were readily available and every homeowner we encountered along the tour made you feel like a welcomed guest.

 Drinks being mixed with my personal favorite, Whynatte, on a vintage operating table. 

This unique space was created by homeowner and Interior Designer, Ashley Ogburn.

A welcome greeting from a homeowner, Landon Bixler.

All of the lofts shown on the tour featured the artwork of one of the homeowner's friends.

Artist, Chad "Emer" Reilly, with his several of his works in the home of Landan Bixler.

His work can also be found on display at Cornbread Gallery on Memorial Drive.

One of my personal favorites was an interesting piece of artwork pictured 

above in the home of Elizabeth Young by local artist Amie Esslinger.

All photos taken by Jona Olivia Payne.

Interested in learning more about the tour? Click here