How the Brownstone Went From Humble Row House Roots to Metropolis Luxury

There is perhaps no greater real estate redemption story than that of the classic American brownstone, a once-humble row house that now represents extreme wealth and architectural prestige in some of the country’s priciest cities.

Today, the brownstone home is arguably a cultural icon, at least in New York City, having been featured in a myriad of pop culture hits, from “Sex and the City” to “Home Alone 2,” with each appearance on screen only adding to its allure.

Yet, in the 19th century, when brownstones first started popping up in cities along the East Coast—including Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC—the uniform sandstone structures were seen as anything but opulent, having been conceived as a cheap alternative to the grand marble estates that the wealthy resided in.

Even the properties’ stoops, which now feature as a backdrop to millions of tourist photos, were built, not out of a desire to create a certain aesthetic, but to enable residents to retreat from the manure that lined the streets at a time when horse-drawn carriages were the only mode of transportation.

It wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that brownstones began surging in popularity, having spent years being treated as a pariah of the property world. Many were left empty and boarded up, abandoned by families who upgraded to more luxurious dwellings.

In the six decades since, the homes have done a complete 180, emerging as one of the most sought-after styles of city dwelling, with demand further heightened by their scarcity. Because brownstones have not been built since the early 20th century, there are only a finite number, making them increasingly hard to come by.

Many designers have tried to mimic the traditional brownstone, using alternative materials to replicate their reddish brown façades.

Here, Realtor.com® reveals a glimpse inside the fascinating history of the great American classic—from its hidden quirks to its enduring allure—detailing how it became the ultimate urban status symbol.

​What are the most distinctive elements of the brownstone?

​The most distinctive element of a brownstone home is the material it is made of: brown sandstone. Though that might seem an obvious hallmark, in recent years, true brownstones have become harder to spot due to the growing number of replica properties, which have led some to confuse townhouses with authentic brownstone buildings.

​Though they may look similar, the main difference between a brownstone and a townhouse is the material. While townhouses can be made out of any material, a brownstone building is made with brick, and the facade of the building must be made with the iconic reddish-brown sandstone.

​Additionally, brownstones are a historically constructed home design, with the last “real” brownstones built in the early 1900s. Townhouses are not associated with a specific era.

​Another common misconception is using the term “brownstone” interchangeably with “row house.” A row house refers to a building that is connected to a row of identical homes with no separating space between buildings. Brownstones are typically set up in the same way. Simply put, a brownstone is a type of row house, but not all row houses are brownstones.

​Another common element of a brownstone is a stoop leading to an elevated floor entrance, often called the parlor floor. That floor includes the living room, dining room, tall ceilings, and large windows for natural lighting.

​The floor below is often referred to as the garden level, incorporating the kitchen and an entrance to a backyard. The remaining floors are customarily dedicated to bedrooms.

​It’s important to note that many of these spacious homes have since been converted into three- to five-story multiunit apartments, especially in New York City. 

When was the first brownstone home designed?

The first brownstone homes were designed in the late 1830s in New York City, with the earliest example being the Isaac T. Hooper House, located at 110 Second Ave. Constructed from 1837 to 1838, this property is now commonly known as the world’s oldest surviving halfway house for women recently released from prison.

​Brownstones were built in bulk in the 19th century as a cheaper alternative to mansions constructed with pricey materials like limestone, granite, and marble. The brown sandstone used for construction was sourced from one of four quarries: in Portland, CT, Apostle Island, WI, Hummelstown, PA, and New Jersey.

​Brownstone quarrying originally began in 1690 at the Portland Brownstone Quarries, right along the Connecticut River. The material was then shipped to different cities. Chances are, if you stand in front of a brownstone in New York City, that material came from the Portland Brownstone Quarries.

Though brownstones were originally common middle-class homes, their status began to shift during the mid-19th-century Romanticism movement, which sparked a new appreciation for natural building materials. This cultural shift, combined with a growing scarcity after quarries closed in the early 20th century and many buildings were demolished after World War II to make room for modern apartment complexes, ultimately transformed the brownstone into a highly coveted luxury.

Where are the best places to find brownstone homes?

Brownstones are most often found in Northeastern cities such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Baltimore, and Washington, DC, due to the region’s luxurious amounts of brown sandstone.

As cities began to grow in the 19th century, brownstones offered a quick and cheap way to build urban housing, leading to the concentration of brownstone homes in the Northeastern U.S.

​How has the brownstone changed over the years?

Brownstones have changed in many ways over the years, with the most evident shift being their transition from a traditional single-family home to multiunit apartments.

Another large switch is their price, as the formerly modest home design has developed into a rare and hot commodity, with luxury listings going for over $15 million.

Why do people buy brownstone homes?

People buy brownstones for a range of reasons, though the most common reason may be their luxurious classification. Popularized in film and TV as a New York City icon, the brownstone epitomizes the classic city living vibe.

​Brownstones are also sought-after because they offer the ability to live in a historical home featuring high ceilings, large windows, fireplaces, spacious living rooms, and outdoor areas. They’re also generally located in a prime neighborhood.

​It’s important to note that owning a brownstone requires a high level of maintenance. The sandstone facade is extremely vulnerable to the elements, resulting in erosion over time. Repairing and restoring the facade can be costly.

​Additionally, because of its historic status, brownstones typically lack modern amenities such as air conditioning, laundry, and elevators, which can make moving large furniture difficult.

​Despite its high prices and upkeep, the brownstone’s spacious floor plans, natural lighting, prime locations, and other benefits provide a unique and historic city living experience like no other.