{"id":21111,"date":"2025-06-17T13:16:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T17:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/?p=21111"},"modified":"2025-06-17T13:16:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T17:16:46","slug":"how-to-rent-a-brooklyn-brownstone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/how-to-rent-a-brooklyn-brownstone\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Rent a Brooklyn Brownstone"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York City apartments<\/span><\/a> come in various shapes, sizes, and styles, and some renters prefer certain options over others. While some renters look for a luxury <\/span>Manhattan<\/span><\/a> high-rise, others may dream about a historic <\/span>Brooklyn<\/span><\/a> brownstone. Luckily, there are numerous opportunities for renters to lease a brownstone unit in Brooklyn. However, those looking for this type of unit should prepare to pay a premium for this desirable kind of apartment. Since builders no longer use brownstone to build apartments, there is competition for this kind of unit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Brooklyn Brownstone?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

A brownstone is another word for a <\/span>townhouse<\/span><\/a> or rowhouse. In all cases, this type of building consists of a narrow residential unit with multiple floors and staircases. Those who live in brownstones may find one or two rooms on each floor, and may have three to four floors in the building, in addition to a basement area. This type of home grew in popularity due to the abundance of its main building material, brownstone. While developers no longer use brownstone to build row houses, these apartments remain popular for buyers and renters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Brownstone?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Brownstones specifically get their name from their facade material. Brownstone is a soft sandstone that starts in a pink color, but then turns to a dark brown. Developers found this material throughout Connecticut in the <\/span>19th century<\/span><\/a> and used it to build row houses with brick facades. As time passed, brownstone eventually became more fashionable and easier to use than bricks, making it the go-to material for new homes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brownstone proved a durable material, as many brownstones still exist in modern day. New York City renters will find brownstones throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brownstone Amenities\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many renters and buyers value brownstones for their distinct features and amenities. Developers no longer use brownstone to build apartments, meaning renters will not find modern brownstones with current trends. However, there are cases where owners renovate their properties, giving them a blank slate similar to modern builds. In most cases, even those who renovate their units will preserve the charming characteristics, including fireplaces, crown molding, hardwood floors, and bay windows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brownstones also often have private outdoor space, or communal outdoor space if they split the building into multiple units. The private yard typically fits furniture or provides enough space for a small dog to play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some owners continue to upgrade their brownstones by adding modern appliances, like dishwashers, stainless steel appliances, and in-unit laundry machines. However, renters should not always expect to find these added bonuses in a brownstone unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more:<\/p>\n