When Jason Sotka decided to buy his loft at Wilkes Passage at 1313 Washington St. in the South End more than two years ago, he was looking at 2,601 square feet of raw space. There were no walls, and the kitchen was in the middle of this first-floor condominium.

Today, this light-filled loft is far different from its beginnings. Sotka brought in McMahon Architects to create a sleek, contemporary residence that exudes a minimalist style of form and function.

Diane Keliher and Patti Donovan of Keliher Real Estate are marketing this loft at $1.25 million.

The color of white is nearly everywhere- the walls, the ceiling and the shiny floor, which is concrete, applied with a high-gloss epoxy and sealed with polyurethane.

The white floor reflects the natural light that filters into the loft from the wide, floor-to- ceiling windows. Hunter- Douglas Duette honeycomb shades can be raised to various heights to provide privacy, while floor-to-ceiling sheers can be pulled across the windows as well, letting in light and still providing privacy.

Sotka added a nice amenity too by replacing four narrow, fixed windows with operable ones to let in summer breezes. His condominium is unique as well, as it has a private entrance from Wilkes Passage Way, a brick path, accented with landscaping that overlooks Peters Park.

The entrance into the unit from the interior hall opens into a small foyer with a slate floor, which contrasts beautifully with the white surroundings. A coat closet is at the right.

"This place has an abundance of closets, even closets for skis and golf clubs," says Keliher.

To the left of the foyer is a guest bedroom, enclosed by a wall that doesn't quite reach to the ceiling, which allows more natural light into this area. Recessed lighting was added here too. Take a couple of steps further into the loft and turn right, and you can appreciate the architectural design of this home that is certain to emit a wow.

A floor-to-ceiling wall at the left, furnished with custom-made glass shelving and low cabinets, defines this open space, where the dining area, with table and chairs, flows into the living area that concludes with the wall of windows. The kitchen is fabulous, and it was one of the significant changes Sotka and the architect instituted. By relocating the kitchen they created a means to have the best of both worlds -- a large open area for entertaining or simply living and a second large area for a private, yet open master bedroom suite.

A long, stainless steel-topped center island provides plenty of kitchen workspace while at the same time offering a beautiful architectural element to the entire design of the loft. The island contains a Gaggenau cooktop with four burners and a grill and a stainless steel sink. A stainless steel Zephyr chimney hood with four halogen lamps above the cooktop adds drama. The island also holds a Miele dishwasher and a compactor.

The German-designed Bulthaup kitchen includes a wall of dark chocolate-colored cabinetry, which holds a convection oven and another space for a microwave. The panels conceal the Sub-Zero refrigerator, which has two low freezer drawers, a pullout pantry and cabinets for china and glassware. An adjacent closet holds housekeeping paraphernalia. Beyond the kitchen is another large storage space which doubles as a laundry with a full- size, stacked Whirlpool washer and dryer and as a media closet that can hold all the necessary electronics for the Bang and Olufsen music system and the 50-inch Pioneer Elite wireless plasma TV that is mounted on the wall. "It has a 160-degree viewing angle," says Keliher. These items are not included with the sale but are negotiable.

A floor-to-ceiling transition wall behind the living area boasts built-in shelving for objets d'art. Next to this display area is a brushed steel door, echoing the stainless steel of the kitchen; it opens into a guest bath with a pedestal sink and white tub. A rouge accent wall in the bath is a stunning contrast to the white ceramics and slate floor tiles.

Like the living area, the master bedroom suite is wide open, with an office/study configured against a wall, separate from the low platform bed and a large sitting area. There are three large closets/dressing rooms, created by nearly full-height walls, with plenty of room to hang clothing as well as hold chiffoniers or bureaus.

The piece de resistance, however, is the sumptuous, open master bath, which is raised one step and tiled with slate. A long birch vanity topped with a single piece of Carrara marble defines this unusual space; the sink, the Dombracht fixtures and a rectangular mirror that can swivel 360 degrees can be used on either side of this vanity. An oversized Aquatic soaking whirlpool tub, big enough for two, is set in a white subway tile surround. On the opposite wall is a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and on the interior wall are two opaque glass doors. One opens into a steam shower, which has a marble seat; the other opens to the water closet, which has a one- piece toilet manufactured by Jacob Delafon of Paris. Around the corner is another storage closet, and then you step back into the living/dining area.

"The architect always said (this place) was like walking into a white cloud," says Sotka. Indeed, this loft is heavenly.

View the listing sheet.

Published: August 27 2005