"A single brick costs just a few dollars, but when grouped together to form the iconic faces of New York City's brownstones, bricks are worth millions. The word "brownstone" brings to mind an image of historic townhomes lining the streets of New York's most iconic neighborhoods, but what does it actually mean? Charles Lockwood, foremost expert on brownstones and author of "Bricks and Brownstone: The New York Row House 1783-1929," defined brownstone as "a soft, close-grained triassic sandstone or freestone" in an interview with Brownstoner."
"Most of the brownstone buildings that make up the cityscape of New York were constructed in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries. Surrounded by skyscrapers, car traffic, and the trappings of modernity, these buildings preserve a snapshot of the past. With New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani planning to make NYC a more affordable city to live in, perhaps you can snag a brownstone for yourself, adding your name to a long list of historic ownership."
"Before buying a brownstone, you should understand their long history in New York City and their architectural significance, both of which are part of their appeal. Brownstones joined the New York City skyline in earnest during the 1800s, with the buildings styled after English terraced houses. In a growing city, brownstone townhomes were the perfect mix of space-saving verticality and status symbol - a mix that remains to present day."
Brownstone refers to a soft, close-grained Triassic sandstone or freestone used in New York row houses both structurally and as a decorative facing. Entire buildings were once built from solid brownstone, but economic pressures led to its use primarily as a facade. Most brownstone buildings date from the 19th and early 20th centuries and reflect influences like English terraced houses and Romantic Classicism. Brownstone townhomes combined vertical, space-saving design with social status, producing a lasting urban aesthetic that continues to attract interest amid debates over affordability and preservation.
Read at House Digest
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