Primarily constructed during the second half of the 19th century, brownstone homes are among the oldest styles of residential housing in the United States. With the signature brown-red facade, brownstone townhouses are designed to seamlessly blend multi-story houses. While typically found in numerous New York neighborhoods, such as Brooklyn and parts of Manhattan, this historic architecture is in other urban areas, including the City of Brotherly Love. While most brownstone townhouses are located in Rittenhouse Square, they can also be found in areas such as Society Hill and Washington Square West.
At The Mike McCann Team, we can help get you into the home of your dreams. Whether you’re looking for that special brownstone in Center City or new construction townhomes in Old City, we have you covered. Let’s take a look at the beautiful and stately homes known as brownstones.
What Makes a Brownstone a True Brownstone?
A true brownstone is made of brick. The colored facade is where the name comes from, which is a once-popular building material called sandstone. Sandstone is mined from quarries up and down the American East Coast and turns brown once weathered by iron ore. Brownstone was considered a durable, cheap, and quality building material. It was even used by Pennsylvanian Quakers to build stone mills and mill houses.
The term “brownstone” is often used synonymously with “townhouse” or “rowhome,” although that is not always correct. So what’s the difference? A townhouse is a multi-story, single-family urban house scaled similarly to its surrounding houses. Technically, a brownstone is distinguished by the reddish-brown sandstone on the outside and can have one or more families living inside it.
Pros and Cons of a Brownstone
Should you consider investing in brownstones in Rittenhouse Square or Bella Vista real estate? Before making a final decision, you will want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of living in a brownstone.
Pros
- Curb Appeal: Historic brownstones in Philadelphia present a stately, revolutionary aesthetic that buyers and pedestrians alike find appealing.
- Charm: There is a certain charm tethered to the zeitgeist of the city itself, as many Philadelphia brownstones have an accessible and rich history tracing back to the 1700s.
- Space: Brownstones in Philadelphia usually have a bit more space than your average city dwelling. Even if you don’t get the building to yourself, you can still enjoy more space as most apartments span the entire floor.
- Neighborhood: People living in brownstones often enjoy greater community and have easier access to restaurants, bars, and great schools.
Cons
- Steep Stoops: Most Philadelphia brownstones for sale have steep stoops that can be slippery when wet or icy. Plus, you will need to consider your ability to climb up and down these stairs when you have your arms full of groceries or when you need to take your dog outside.
- Cost: Brownstones are commonly more expensive than their non-historical counterparts. However, this is mostly due to their charm.
- Constantly Aging: Brownstones were primarily constructed in the 1800s, so they are still aging by the time you move in, even if they’ve been renovated. This means the stone requires frequent maintenance, and you will want to have your plumbing, electricity, and air conditioning system inspected annually.
These homes may require maintenance and have an increasing market value, but many owners will tell you they’re well worth it. In fact, as Philadelphia brownstones get more and more popular with seasoned investors and homeowners, it’s no surprise that a large portion of the “window-shoppers” or even genuinely interested buyers get priced out quickly.
How to Maintain a Philadelphia Brownstone Home
If you decide to buy a Philadelphia brownstone for sale, you will need to complete routine maintenance tasks, including:
- Cleaning the Gutters: You don’t want water to back up in your gutters and cause water damage to the exterior of your home. Make sure you have your gutters professionally cleaned at least once a year.
- Clearing Vines and Other Vegetation: While plants can enhance the exterior beauty of your Philadelphia brownstone, they can also be problematic when they climb up the building’s walls. Vines will prevent the walls from drying completely, which can cause mold to grow.
- Inspecting the Roof: Roof damage is sometimes obvious, such as a leak destroying your ceiling, while other times, you may not know there’s an issue until extensive structural damage has been done. To avoid these issues, you’ll want to have your roof inspected yearly.
- Repairing Cracks: If your brownstone has cracks on its exterior surface, water will be able to seep through, weakening the building structure. Protect your investment by filling in any cracks as soon as you notice them.
- Repointing: When your brownstone’s mortar joints have become loose or broken, you will want to hire a mason contractor to repoint the mortar.
Choose The Mike McCann Team to Find Philadelphia Brownstones for Sale
With over 8,000 properties sold, The Mike McCann team has your best interests in mind. For condos for sale in Northern Liberties, brownstones in Rittenhouse Square, or a REALTOR® serving the region that can help you find your next townhouse or row home, contact us today!
