Locating Original Architectural Plans for Brownstone?
Hi all — trying to figure out where walls were originally set up in the brownstone we recently purchased, and how rooms were first configured. Any good sources for this kind of information?
Hi all — trying to figure out where walls were originally set up in the brownstone we recently purchased, and how rooms were first configured. Any good sources for this kind of information?
There’s a good book called Bricks and Brownstone that has a lot of detail about the evolution of NYC housing stock. In general, I believe the layout was DR in the front room on the garden level, kitchen in the back; parlors on the parlor floor, usually 2; and BRs above. I’ve never been clear on the rental situation – whether the original design was intended to facilitate renting out an upper floor, or whether that was just done at some point.
My understanding is also that there was a fire in the Brooklyn DOB at some point in the middle of the 20th C, and original plans were lost. If that’s not the case, I’d love to hear about it!
There’s a good book called Bricks and Brownstone that has a lot of detail about the evolution of NYC housing stock. In general, I believe the layout was DR in the front room on the garden level, kitchen in the back; parlors on the parlor floor, usually 2; and BRs above. I’ve never been clear on the rental situation – whether the original design was intended to facilitate renting out an upper floor, or whether that was just done at some point.
My understanding is also that there was a fire in the Brooklyn DOB at some point in the middle of the 20th C, and original plans were lost. If that’s not the case, I’d love to hear about it!
Brooklyn DOB: 210 Joralemon Street 8th floor room no. 816 or online limited information may be available from HPD I-card.
If you go to the NYC HPD website you can put in your address and look for an i-card. Many brownstones have these, and some include information such as number of units and which floors they occupied. They can also contain, in some cases, rough plans and sections. Then, like now, the information can be more or less complete depending on who created the document. Of course, if any legal work has been done in the building since these i-cards were filed in the 30’s, you’d need to consult with the DOB.
See what is on file at DOB.