Prince Street Loft
For designer Darren Jett, the identity of a space extends far beyond what meets the eye. To him, design is a sensory experience – one defined as much by how a room feels and functions as by what takes place within it.
Recently, Jett was hired to add a dose of 1970s sex appeal to an industrial Soho condo. “It’s one of the iconic, traditional cast-iron buildings you see,” he says. With its tall ceilings, exposed columns and brick walls, the late 19th-century loft already had character. However, the client – a finance executive who purchased the 102-square-metre home in 2021 – wanted interiors that read even more dramatic, as well as a layout optimised for entertaining. “There’s a bit of drama to the work I do, and he was captivated by it.”
From the outset, Jett saw the project as an opportunity to tap into the spirit of the ’70s and ’80s, when artists first transformed these industrial lofts into expressive homes. “Maintaining that Soho character was the number one priority from the get-go,” says Jett. The apartment’s architectural bones helped guide key decisions: the open plan remained, but level changes and shifts in material – such as a raised, carpeted platform in the living room – created subtle zones within the one-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling.
In the living room, a sunken built-in comfortably seats up to 30 guests. The kitchen, anchored by a large island, acts as both a prep and serving station – a seamless surface for drinks and food. To maintain the flow, Jett packed the sink, cooktop and appliances along one side of the kitchen, keeping the rest of the space open.
In the primary suite, a row of wooden wardrobes and a pill-shaped mirror lead to a discreet laundry room, which is a true luxury when it comes to city living. Embracing the apartment’s limited daylight, Jett orchestrated a play of light and shadow, where a moody hallway opens into brighter, airier spaces. The primary bedroom and office are painted in rich, saturated hues that contrast with the lighter communal spaces beyond.
Given the home’s open plan, privacy required creativity. Jett designed a sliding door system with a curtain divider between the bedroom and living area, marking the transition with a single raised step. Underfoot, green carpet introduces a cosy, retro charm.
Working within a tight budget, Jett focused on impact over excess. “We didn’t chase expensive materials – we chased the right ones for the story,” he says. Wall-to-wall carpet was chosen over hardwood for comfort and cost. In the bathrooms, marble mosaics form a graphic grid that nods to 1970s design. Originally considering curved glass, Jett instead chose glass block for its texture and nostalgia, which is perfectly in keeping with the building’s history.
Built-in elements were favoured over showroom pieces, from the bed and sofa to the dining nook. An Ingo Maurer pendant hangs in the dining area, where vintage Pierre Guariche chairs encircle a James De Wulf table. In the kitchen, Nero Marquina marble complements the custom stainless-steel cabinetry and shelving, blending sleek modernity with the loft’s raw, industrial bones. “As an architect and designer, to do furniture that is integrated into architecture from the beginning just doesn’t get better than that,” says Jett. “It makes it so much better, especially projects like this one with that ’70s spirit.”
By leaning into the apartment’s constraints and embracing its history, Jett crafted a home that feels immersive and unexpected. With references drawn from film, fashion and the city itself, this Soho loft reads not merely as a residence but as a mood.
Architecture and interior design by Jett Projects.
