Past centuries industrial architecture renovation methods

The problems of exploitation of industrial territories located in big city centers and their impact on architectural and space urban composition have been investigated in the paper. The question of refurbishing former industrial territories to residential or social purposes has been examined. The examples of industrial territories use in other countries as well as in Kyiv and Kharkiv have been shown. The term loft has been defined in the article for industrial buildings converted to residential purpose by preserving industrial design elements or new buildings in an industrial style including those that combine residential function with professional or social.