brownstone

Brownstone is a common name for a naturally occurring brown sandstone used as a building material. The stone’s warm brown color largely comes from iron oxide in the rock, and it was prized for its workability and uniform appearance.

During the 19th century, brownstone was quarried in the northeastern United States, including New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, and shipped to cities across the region. It became popular for façades on row houses and townhouses, especially in dense urban neighborhoods.

Architects favored brownstone for its workability; front façades typically feature raised basements and entry stoops, with decorative window and door surrounds carved from the same stone.

Over time, the stone’s surface can weather to a grey or greenish patina, and some buildings have been repaired with brick or with replacement stones. Preservation efforts focus on restoring original detailing and stabilizing deteriorating mortar joints.

In the modern era, brownstone remains a symbol of historic urbanism in cities such as New York and Boston. The term also persists as a color designation and as a reference to a style of early urban townhouse architecture.