House Hunt: Lakeshore Lofts

Life-long resident Jeff Mazzenga is bringing a new style of living to St. Clair Shores.

Mazzenga took a nearly 80-year-old medical building on Jefferson and turned it into a four-unit loft apartment complex - a style of housing which is popular in former industrial buildings in Detroit and new construction in Royal Oak.

"I live here and I wanted to make something good for the city," said Mazzenga, the principal at REI Specialties.

A former employee in the automotive industry, Mazzenga took a buyout and began working in real estate full time. He purchased the building in July 2010 as an investment opportunity.

"I had no clue," he said of his plans for the building. But after consulting with architect John Vitale, they developed the plans for the lofts.

Mazzenga later rezoned the property from office to residential use, and then spent the past year remodeling the building.

Extensive work was done throughout the building to make it residential. The only original elements which remained are exposed brick and an oak staircase in the center of the building.

Improvements to the building including exposed duct work, hardwood flooring and high ceilings - which can be found in many urban lofts.

New siding and lights were added to the exterior of the building, along with the installation of new landscaping.

While these improvements made the building similar to lofts in other cities, the Lakeshore Lofts have something others can't offer - a view a of Lake St. Clair.

"We wanted to be the first (lofts) on the east side," Mazzenga said. "And in a beautiful community."

Two of the four units have been leased. For information about the lofts visit http://www.reispecialties.com/properties.htm