The Best For...

• By Katie Charles
• Published Winter 2006

LOGISTICAL EASE

The West Side Loft
(336 W. 37th St.; 212-871-0940)
On the sixth floor of the same building that houses Loft Eleven and Penthouse 15, West Side has 9,500 square feet split between two rooms with homey touches like a fireplace and chandeliers. It can easily handle 220 guests seated.

LARGE PARTIES

Skylight
(275 Hudson St.; 212-367-3730)
This converted gallery is truly vast-18,000 square feet, 3,000 of it outside. The on-site presence of lighting pro Bentley Meeker means that rig points and trusswork are already in place-allowing you to achieve fabulous effects at a reduced rate.

A BIG DAY SPLURGE

Sky Studios
(704 Broadway; 212-533-3030)
With 11,000 square feet atop a West Village building, this space exudes luxury. The two elegant penthouses each fit up to 150 guests-one has a rooftop pool and garden terrace, the other a fabulous residential kitchen and operational fireplace. At $10,000 apiece, the cost is stiff, but you can bring in your own vendors.

OUTDOOR DECK

Studio 450
(450 W. 31st St.; 212-290-1400)
Offering eye-popping 360-degree views from its glassed-in penthouse, plus a 4,000-square-foot terrace, it also has reliable electrical systems, which means no power outages (which plague other lofts).

COUPLES ON A BUDGET

Divine Studio
(21 E.4th St.; 212-387-9655)
Starting at $4,500 for seven hours, it's a bargain: an airy 3,300-square-foot space with arched windows in an 1886 landmarked building. Their amenities preempt the hidden costs that come along with most lofts: two kitchens, tables for your bar and buffet, and a sound system.