What is a Brownstone?
Serious question — What is the definition of a brownstone? Does the facade actually have to consist of “brownstone” (which I understand is a relatively low strength and easily worked sedimentary stone)? When I see brownstone facades being redone it looks like the workers mix up a mortar mix, add brown coloring and then apply…
Serious question — What is the definition of a brownstone? Does the facade actually have to consist of “brownstone” (which I understand is a relatively low strength and easily worked sedimentary stone)? When I see brownstone facades being redone it looks like the workers mix up a mortar mix, add brown coloring and then apply to the facade. Are there “brownstones” that have something other then actual brownstone but have this brown mortar applied as a coating? I have always followed the rule that what looks like a brownstone must be a brownstone, but I am realizing that I don’t actually know if there are rules to what must be under the surface for a building to qualify as a brownstone.
Vinca…you mention the phrase “investor cash cows” This is interesting because it is one of the things that completely separates NYC from many parts of the country, especially Florida and perhaps most other fair weather and coastal areas that are currently experiencing the brunt of the problems.
Most properties in NYC were not bought as “second homes” or speculative purchases for investment (as they were too expensive to begi with compared to shelling out $50-200k on a bet somewhere else). Most NYC properties are primary residences.
But we’re getting off track here as we typically do in every interesting thread.
I guess you don’t have time or nuance either, Rob. Are you on deadline, too?
senior citizen homes.
*rob*
L and DIBS: To describe life in NYC as being at bottom, or blocks of squalor, or even neighborhoods as having been dangerous, completely loses the nuance and context of life as it was happening THEN, rather than as viewed with decades of distance, 20/20 hindsight, changed expectations, etc. Today’s market and prices are sadly and badly skewed…a reflection of a much larger cultural shift, which at least in part transmogrified houses as a category into status symbols and investor cash cows, rather than affordable comfort and shelter within reach of the ordinary working family. A longer conversation which I don’t have the time, or nuance, for right now.
I have often wondered if there are brownstones left in good condition that haven’t had their entire facade repaired/replaced with the masonry slurry. Judging from the number of these projects underway during the warmer months, I suspect very few examples remain. I’ve often looked for tell-tale signs suck as real edges between “stones” or the rough cut stones, but often on closer inspection these are simulated with the brown-colored cement.
It is also confusing that when you see the brownstone facade removed for the repair you see brick underneath. I live in a rowhouse that was originally brownstone (per “Bricks & Brownstone”) but was surprised to see the brick when the facade was repaired. As others have explained this is because the underlying construction is brick, but it confuses the issue.
Thus my observation that it is irresponsible to read too much into those numbers because of all the ways the world has changed since then.
lechacal…try and picture what life was like in NYC in 1981. That was probably close to the bottom of modern society as we knew it in NYC. Times Square was 10 square blocks of squalor, prostitution & hustlers back then. What has happened in NYC since 1981 has been far more progressive than “inflation-indexed growth.”
Vinca, those links are absolutely fantastic, the first one in particular. So many great lines that I can’t even try to copy them all here.
I found it very interesting that $500k was cited as the highest price for park block brownsones in 1981. That is about $1.2 million in today’s dollars. It’s irresponsible to try to read too much into this because of all of the ways the world has changed since then, but current prices are clearly very high viewed strictly by comparison to inflation-indexed growth since 1981. Sales for more ordinary north slope brownstones were cited in the $200k range, which equates to about $450k in today’s dollars.
Vinca,
I agree about the “brownstone” movement.
In general my family hardly ever refers to the buildings by material. They are “buildings” or the generic “brownstone” as I mentioned.
Thanks for the links