The New American Home Project

"A cottage industry for new-construction lofts has already popped up in suburbs nationwide. One Phoenix builder is marketing newly built condominiums that have 'the warehouse look,' complete with exposed ductwork and sprinklers. In the tony Los Angeles suburb of Santa Monica, Palisades Development Group LLC constructed lofts that sold for up to $750,000. Each structure includes entrances that roll up like industrial garage doors and outdoor lights that are shielded by a cage much like those found in forsaken alleys or jails... Sponsored jointly by the home builders' association and Builder magazine, the New American Home project is aimed at capturing emerging trends in home building and the shifting lifestyles of Americans." [Editor's note: This article is available to nonsubscribers for a period of 7 days.]