Buying a Brownstone in New York City
In New York City, the term “brownstone” refers to buildings built during the 1800s from brown sandstone quarried in the nearby Connecticut River Valley and on the shores of the Hackensack River. The buildings typically range from three to six stories in height and were originally built as single family homes, with many distinctive architectural flourishes such as grand staircase entryways, hardwood floors and tall windows. New York’s immigrant masons chose to work with brownstone above other building materials due to the soft stone’s relative ease of use –they could add design elements and flourishes without difficulty, creating distinctive and attractive facades. Today, Manhattan’s brownstones have aged well, becoming classic architectural icons.
Manhattan brownstones can be found in every historically residential area of the city and are almost always very well restored. They typically feature a staircase leading up from the street level to a large door accessing the first floor or “parlor floor.” Most New York City brownstones have been converted to separate apartments, but in the remaining single-family brownstones the first floor is often dedicated to a large living room and dining room, with bedrooms on the upper floors. Another unique feature of brownstones is the “English Basement” or “Garden Apartment,” a separate floor half a story below street level accessible via a recessed staircase.
Whether you’re considering a single-family home or a single-floor condo apartment, New York City brownstones offer a tremendous quality of life with many beautiful features.
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