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This Historic Bank Made For Some Excellent Lofts Downtown

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This post was authored by Curbed contributor Katie Sutton


Downtown Detroit's Financial District can now add "residential" to its resume. The new Security Trust Lofts at Griswold and Lafayette offer residents a "distinguished lifestyle" through an in-house fitness center and a private video-surveillance security system in each loft (more on that later). At the time of our visit, 7 of the building's 19 luxury lofts had been claimed, with new applications hitting the desk of property manager Kim Hagood every day.


The building itself was once the Security Trust Bank, but fell into the hands of Detroit Public Schools somewhere down the line. DPS boarded up many of the windows before utilizing the space (no one seems to know why, and we did ask), which inadvertently preserved the building's stunning accordion windows, found in some of the lower-level units. The current owners inherited an empty space, designing and building the interior layout from nothingness.

Floors two, three and four offer open, airy ceilings reaching 12 feet; floors six and seven expand to nine feet. Each unit features granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood cabinets, and ceramic-tiled kitchen floors. We've narrowed down our favorite drool-worthy amenities with the hopes of bringing you down to our embarrassing level of envy:

· The video surveillance system. The picture on the system has a live street-view video feed (and you can zoom and move it!). The hallways are also equipped with security cameras.
· Walk-in Showers: All units (with the exception of one layout) boast a large, luxurious tiled showering unit.
· Party Floor: Available to residents for parties and gatherings, the entire second level features a kitchen and several TVs.
· In-unit Laundry: The set is actually in the closet of one of the one-bedroom styles - let that sink in for a minute.
· The gift basket: All new residents receive a care package of made-in-Detroit goodies upon arrival.

But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the property isn't the lofts at all, but what's connected to them: a 4,000 sq. ft. former restaurant with a curved staircase leading to a mezzanine. The space is vacant now, but word on the street is that the hoods and pipes are still in place from its tasty past. Security Trust Lattes?
· Security Trust Lofts [Official]