√ Brownstone Living at Its Best: Real Floor Plans for Modern Lifestyles

Brownstones are a classic and iconic housing style that can be found in cities all over the world.

These historic homes are known for their beautiful brown sandstone façade,

but what really sets them apart is their unique and stylish interior layouts

What Is A Brownstone?

A townhouse constructed from brown sandstone is known as a brownstone.

Historically, before the 1800s, brownstone was deemed an inferior material compared to the likes of granite, marble, or limestone due to its lower cost.

However, it still provided an aura of luxury to the property.

In the 19th century, brownstone gained immense popularity in New York City, and by the mid-1800s, it had become a prevalent building material.

Even today, brownstone continues to signify neighborhood appeal and is frequently found in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.

Although people often refer to townhouses as brownstones, it's important to note that only those constructed with brown sandstone can be rightfully called brownstones.

Characteristics Of A Brownstone

Originally, brownstones were single-family buildings with four to five stories, offering spacious living spaces ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 square feet.

However, in modern times, most brownstones are divided into several apartment units.

A brownstone typically features a brown, red, or tan stone facade with a brick interior and a stone stoop.

The facade details are influenced by Italian design. The buildings are often adjacent to each other, and each unit usually contains one or more rented or purchased apartments.

The Upper West Side, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope are known for having some of the highest concentrations of brownstones.

Typical Brownstone Floor Plan

The majority of brownstones in New York City were constructed during the same era, which means that they share a similar floor plan.

Unless the property owner has made changes to the interior structure of the building, each brownstone is divided into multiple units with interconnected staircases and hallways.

A standard floor plan is used for every classic brownstone. Firstly, the interior is divided lengthwise into two sections.

Then, one-third of the space on one side is occupied by a staircase, with the remaining area serving as a living area.

Typically, each brownstone apartment features one or two windows that face the street, often utilized as bedrooms or offices.

Additionally, multiple rooms may feature a fireplace.

Upper Level Of A Brownstone

The upper floors of a brownstone usually contain the bedrooms, which typically have lower ceilings than the lower floors.

Adjacent to these rooms are typically a kitchen and a bathroom.

Traditionally, the kitchen and bathroom are positioned across from one another, with a corridor dividing the space.

An open space connects the bedrooms, kitchen, and bathroom via the corridor, which is often utilized as a living room.

Alternatively, this area can be converted into a guest room.

Lower Levels Of A Brownstone

The entrance of a home, known as the parlor floor, boasts high ceilings and large windows at street level.

Just a few steps down lies the garden level, with ceilings ranging from 7.5 to 8 feet.

Many people opt to convert the garden level into their main living space due to its convenient access to the rear yard,

which can be easily integrated into the living area with the addition of a stair and landing to connect it to the parlor level.

Alternatively, homeowners can choose to transform the garden level into a separate apartment,

a common investment strategy for brownstone owners seeking to generate rental income.

Brownstones vs. Greystones

Over time, the term "brownstone" has been broadly applied to include almost any rowhouse, but this is technically inaccurate.

As previously stated, if the building is not made of brownstone, it cannot be considered a brownstone.

Brownstones were not unique to New York City; they began to appear in many other cities, such as Chicago.

In the 1890s, builders in Chicago began constructing "greystones," which were made of Bedford limestone and named for their color.

These homes were built for a variety of social classes, ranging from working-class to upper-class families.

Unlike brownstones, greystones were initially designed for multiple families and continue to serve that purpose today.

The architectural style of brownstones and greystones varies considerably.

Brownstones are typically characterized by Italian-style design elements, whereas greystones feature Romanesque or Neoclassical elements.

The most significant distinction between brownstones and greystones is that greystones are usually semi-detached

or fully-detached townhouses, while brownstones are almost always rowhouses.