The sad thing is an AC unit needs to have air and so would need to be in the wall upstairs. I find solar shades to help a lot with too much heat and they still allow the view If it was possible with the condo board maybe a roof AC would be the answer for everyone .

The only thing I can think of is dark tinted window film. Maybe a home specialist that specializes in home systems might have some ideas. But it's a structure problem more than a cooling system issue it seems. Would large ceiling fans do anything? Just noticed you have one in the upper loft? Is it a vaulted ceilings in the main area? Maybe a ceiling fan there would help draw cool air to loft?

Don't go there in summer! That's all I can offer. Any of the other tenants have ideas?

Condo's are extremely difficult, because if the design of the place doesn't account for HVAC needs you are stuck with what you got.

All you can do is go to the condo association and get approved to make changes to exterior. If there is no attic space for ducting, your only real option would be mini split AC.

The mini split will have an outdoor condenser and a line set run from that unit to the indoor head that hangs on the wall or if possible a cassette style that is mounted in the ceiling (if there's enough room).

The line set of the mini split can be placed behind decorative molding to hide it. This will increase the cost of the job... but the bigger task will be to get it approved by the condo association, not to mention the outdoor condenser that has to sit outside on a slab.

The only other option is a window unit, but based on the pictures you show I doubt the window unit will work well.

Sizing is important. So no matter what is allowed the sizing of the system in terms of capacity will have to be determined to cool this space properly.

If all of this fails and the condo association doesn't budge, the other option is to sell and move.

Good luck.

Yes a mini split installed in the loft will be the best solution.

I hope they are using spray foam in the roof, that will help with heat gain.

I would push for skylights, the unit will feel much brighter year round, in the summer you can open them to exhaust hot air.

Window tint will cut down on the heat. I have it in my desert home , it helps a lot. I also have 3% solar shades spanning a 20’ west facing wall of windows. Lower them in late afternoon.

We have avoided the condo every summer for the last 20 years. That's why I reached out. I was hoping with the ceiling open we might have a new option. The longer down rod is an idea and possibly a second fan in the lower floor. As for skylights or external condensers those options are out since our HOA is run by an attorney that has no interest in fixing the problems. Maybe it is time to move. Thanks for your input.

If the LL has no interest in the place, don't give him the satisfaction of your tenancy!!! If that isn't an option at this time, you can buy the HVAC units that exhaust out the window when in use. I have one that heats and cools and it works very well but will increase the utility bill. Sam's Club has them for under $500.

I have no idea how effective they actually are but I know people in New York City who use air conditioners which aren't mounted in the wall or a window and aren't vented.

With the ceiling opened up, look to see if you can install a whole house fan. You'll need some attic space...perhaps you can build a false ceiling and have it vent out a gable or roof.

Whole house fans are great for quickly clearing hot stale air. The fan would draw cool air in from your window and exhaust out the hot air in your loft.

Adding insulation to the roof space and putting film or thermal shades on the window will help minimize the heat gain.

Agree with others to put in a new ceiling fan with longer downrod over your main living space...circulate the air between the lower level and loft.

There are portable air conditioning units that work fairly well for small areas. My son used them for his apt in NY. May work here to supplement what you already have after you get better insulation. A venting skylight would be most helpful!

The ceiling fan won't help since it isn't over the open area where the cool air is - put in a second fan with a longer down rod. It will help but probably only a little. If you can't get a variance from the condo board ( maybe all the units together could fight for something ), the portable will be the best bet if it doesn't need an exhaust. I had one but it needs to have a hose to the window to blow out the hot air from running it. Do you have laundry? how did they vent that out?

Debbi Washburn- There is no laundry in our units. The bathroom fan exhaust fan runs internally through the building to an outer wall but shares the chase with other units. We know this because one of the lower units has a tendency to smoke weed (something just recently legalized in our state) This smoke sometimes will stink up our bathroom.