As far as decorative details go, few lend a space more industrial-chic-style cred than a steel or cast-iron column. What were once largely practical architectural elements (supporting the beams that held up the ceiling), now make a distinctive design statement. Here, six prime examples:

Owned by Meg Ryan (and featured in an issue of Architectural Digest) this full-floor loft at 84 Mercer Street (priced at $10.9 million) includes a living room lined with six architectural columns that complement the 12-foot ceilings and ebony wood floors.

Located in a 19^th century industrial cast-iron building, this two-bedroom, two-bath loft at 117 Prince Street (listed at $5 million) boasts five cast-iron columns running from one end of the space to the other.

Gunmetal columns and wood beams accent the living space of this 3000-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath loft at 284 Lafayette Street (yours for $5.85 million).

For $27,000/month, you can rent this three-and-a-half-bath loft at 144 Duane Street in Tribeca with five original cast-iron columns (not to mention wide-plank wood floors and exposed brick walls).

Finally, at 459 Washington Street in Tribeca, a one-bedroom, one-bath loft (for rent at $12,000/month) with a 34-foot wide living/dining room is enhanced by a set of minimalist steel columns that connect original timber beams with the home’s wide-plank walnut floors.