Thirty years after serving as the main setting for the film Philadelphia, the iconic loft where Tom Hanks and Antonio Banderas’ characters lived has been transformed once again, this time by Velocette Studio. The home is located inside a former cigar factory in Philadelphia, an industrial building converted into lofts in the 1980s, which still retains its imposing wooden structure, brick walls and generously high ceilings.
It was into one of these lofts that, more than a decade ago, Sam Mink and Anthony Padilla moved. Years later, after acquiring the adjacent apartment and thus having almost 300 square metres of living space, they decided to embark on a complete renovation of the space. The goal was clear: to maintain the character of the building and the memories accumulated during a shared life, but to project them into the future with new needs and a more refined and personal aesthetic.
The project began with a phrase that designer Hope Velocette wrote in her notebook during the first visit: ‘Reach new heights without moving.’ The expression set the emotional and conceptual tone for the project. ‘I sat, looking up at the original ceiling, over five metres high, and listening to the clients talk about their lives here,’ the designer recalls.
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‘Its history and that of the building spoke of transformation, so I wanted the architecture to convey that same vital impulse.’ The result is a renovation that honours the multiple memories of the place – cinematic, architectural, and intimate – and translates them into a contemporary, warm and artisanal language.
Velocette Studio proposed a complete reconfiguration of the space with the acquisition of the adjacent loft. Partitions were demolished, the wooden ceilings of the former cigar factory were restored and the original brick envelope, now painted a warm white, was left exposed.
Using this historic base as a canvas, a new longitudinal layout was designed: the eastern half was designated for open, naturally lit common areas, while the west wing, with lower ceilings, houses the private areas spread over two levels.
In the large living space, height is emphasized by a carefully considered vertical composition. A large, full-height lattice of green slats replaces the typical railing in the upper hallway, acting as a visual divider while casting moving shadows on the walls.
Suspended light fixtures and grooved cladding contribute to this upward interpretation of the space, creating an ethereal atmosphere that deliberately contrasts with the rustic character of the wooden ceiling.
In the living room, dominated by a large orange-red velvet sofa and a floral-upholstered armchair, tactile elements and rounded shapes are repeated, softening the flow. A jute rug adds natural texture, while another backlit mirror adds a vertical artistic touch.
The kitchen, located in the centre of the floor plan, is conceived as the heart of the home. Everything revolves around a large island with a custom Calacatta Viola marble countertop topped with solid brass hardware.
The furniture was produced in collaboration with local Philadelphia artisans, as were the wooden benches and banquettes in the dining room. ‘Every room looks out toward the island,’ Velocette notes. ‘It’s where family life pulses.’
The dining room is completed with an oak table designed by the studio, a floral wall installation also created by them, and a watercolour-finished mirror that, when lit, creates a cloudy effect on the surface. This combination of organic elements and handcrafted treatments defines the entire language of the project.
The bathrooms have also been designed with the same attention to detail. The guest bathroom features a monolithic marble sink with peach, grey and black veining, handcrafted terracotta tiles on the floor and Venetian stucco walls.
The main bathroom, more subdued and masculine, combines a terrazzo floor in black and natural tones with black taps, brass accents, and a freestanding volcanic rock bathtub.
Upstairs, the main bedroom is conceived as a tranquil retreat. The earthy palette and a custom-made headboard create a cocooning atmosphere. Built-in wardrobes with mirrored doors visually increase the space and reflect light. Opposite them, an armchair with a floor lamp and warm textiles invites you to pause.
This is a home that, while continuing to look back, has managed to project itself upward. velocettestudio.com
