Location
Thanks to its remarkable heritage, Amiens stands out as a city of art and history thanks to its gothic Notre Dame cathedral, the largest in France, which overlooks a dynamic neighbourhood, as well as its hortillonnages, small gardens interspersed with canals, which come together to create a one-of-a-kind landscape around the city.
As for the dwelling, it is located in the middle of Amiens on the banks of the Somme River and enjoys a bucolic setting along the river’s edge, while still being within walking distance to shops, schools and services. In addition, the city benefits from a strategic location, which makes it easy to reach Paris in little over an hour by train, as well as northern Europe, thanks to the railway network or the A16 motorway, whereas the future high-speed rail line will connect Amiens to the Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle airport by 2028.
Description
As for the dwelling, a refurbished former salt warehouse, with approximately 320 m² of floor area, it has been converted into a contemporary loft with immense open spaces spread out over 2.5 floors, including two living rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, two studies, three large bedrooms, including the principal suite, as well as a self-contained studio with its own independent access from the entryway.
In addition, an outbuilding, of approximately 200 m², is located directly opposite the loft and features office spaces and a garage – which provides the potential for expansion or an additional level, subject to city planning permission.
The Loft
The dwelling’s one-storey white façade and hipped roof reveal nothing of the loft’s scale from the quay, while the property is sheltered from view thanks to a wood fence, extending on from the dwelling and topped with vegetation.
The ground floor
An entryway provides access to an immense open living area, whose ceiling is supported by white posts, which cadence the space and define its different areas, while its wide-plank parquet floors, painted a deep chestnut colour, showcase the loft’s modern aesthetic. Bathed in ample light thanks to a large-paned atelier window, with a black metal frame, the open kitchen, directly opposite, contains a black granite and pale wood central island.
Extending on from here, an initial central living room features a rear dining area with overhead lighting as well as an overall floral atmosphere thanks to a minimalist, Henri Matisse-style fresco, while a second sitting room, adjacent to the first, is organised around a dark metal fireplace integrated within the staircase that leads to a glassed-in mezzanine above.
Set back from the staircase are the entrances to the utility room and cellar, whereas near the kitchen, the wooden main staircase, painted white, provides access to the upstairs floor. Tucked behind the staircase, the ground-floor main bedroom faces both the garden and patio and includes a sleeping area, cupboards and an adjacent bathroom.
The intermediate level
A glassed-in mezzanine, accessible from the second staircase on the ground floor and overlooking the living room, creates a half-level, divided into two immense and sunny studies, which also provides access to the first floor.
The first floor
Accessible from the main staircase, it features a long hallway with built-in cupboards and painted parquet floors, which provides access, on either end, to a large bedroom located under the eaves. Each comes with its own bathroom, while an independent studio is only accessible from the loft’s entrance hall via a separate staircase. Featuring a large living room, which includes a sleeping area, this studio also comes with a small kitchen as well as a bathroom.
The Outbuilding
Facing the loft, a brick and wood building, of approximately 200 m², includes office spaces, while its ground floor has been divided into a garage, a foyer with a staircase, an office accessible for people with reduced mobility, a lavatory as well as two spaces, which are currently unused. Upstairs, a landing provides access to two rooms, which could be transformed into waiting rooms or two large offices, whereas, an additional parking space is located in front of the building.
The Garden
Featuring a lawn scattered with a number of shrubs and tall trees, two teak patios represent ideal spaces for relaxing on deckchairs or eating dinner under the stars.
Our opinion
Perfect for those looking for a contemporary loft with large open spaces and a coherent design, this property has been transformed with modern features, such as wide-plank parquet floors, an impressive atelier window and an interplay of levels, which provide abundant natural light and fluid circulation between its different open volumes.
Offering a number of different possibilities for development, whether that be for a family, a professional activity or a combination of the two, thanks to its easily adaptable annexe spaces, unlike other city lofts, a garden extends its living room so that one and all can enjoy the great outdoors during the summer months.
A genuine bubble, in which daily life unfolds peacefully, this former salt warehouse represents an idyllic living environment, while, at the end of the street, the surrounding city provides all its various amenities and accessories.
Reference 953232
| Land registry surface area | 700 m² |
| Main building floor area | 320 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 200 m² |
| including refurbished area | 200 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.