Eastern Columbia Lofts

The terrazzo floor of the Eastern’s old shopping arcade has been restored in the elegant, Kelly Wearstler-designed lobby.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The contemporary kitchen of resident Paul Gonzalez’s second-floor studio features an island set on casters. The exposed metal air duct adds an industrial touch to traditional style.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Gonzalez decorated his loft in a more traditional style, rather than ultra-modern, complete with Steinway piano, a dark wood armoire and other classic furniture pieces.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Eastern Columbia in downtown Los Angeles, one of the premier Deco buildings in the country, reopened in 2007 after an $80-million renovation. The bedroom of resident Nichol Bradford’s loft, one of the 147 condos, catches the soft glow of afternoon light.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Nichol Bradford personalized her 10th-floor aerie with a mirror-adorned daybed and a 12-foot ficus. The salvaged oak door will become a dining table.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A billowy drape of golden silk and a vase of yellow blooms contrast with the chocolate-hued concrete floor in Nichol Bradford’s loft.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

In filmmaker Jeremy Kasten’s loft, the two windows are partially blocked by structural beams. Kasten used this as an opportunity to create a Deco-themed space with an abundance of vintage lighting.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Kasten’s loft features stacks of open shelving which separate the kitchen from the bedroom, and display pieces in his eclectic antiques and book collection.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Kasten uses his collection of 300 vintage ties as a decorative element in his bedroom, hanging them on a wall in his bedroom.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The kitchen shows off a few of Kasten’s antiques, with a structural beam serving as a display space for a giant jewelers’ sign he found in a New Orleans antiques store.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Geoff Clark turned his seventh-floor unit into an airy, light-filled loft. The polished concrete floors and modern furniture emphasize the open space of the loft.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Clark dressed his place in a hip, modern vibe, which shows in his furniture choices. Here, an acrylic chair and vintage lamp add some fun to the decor.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Resident Jennifer Dekoeyer Crump finds a comfortable spot on the rooftop terrace, which includes a fireside lounge area, cabanas and views of downtown architectural gems.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Jenn Sherry and Matthew Wonderlich relax in the pool of the building, clad in turquoise terra cotta and gold leaf, with its landmark clock tower.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)