By Kate Wright ~ Photos by Mark Margraff ~ SLIDESHOW
Spring 2007
Homes that were once symbols of status and style for our founding families are being returned to their original glory, as chic dwellings of the social set.
Vastly different from lofts, the brownstone is another favorite type of revived dwelling in Northeastern cities. These beautiful, big, old homes have housed generation after generation of families, and the history that lives inside can hardly be appreciated without further exploration.
Walk down Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia and you will gain a clear perspective of life in the United States during the time of our founding fathers. A National Historic Landmark, this cobblestone alley is the oldest continually inhabited residential street in our country, dating back to the early 1700s.
Elfreth’s residences are early rowhouses, now commonly referred to as brownstones, a name that derived from the reddish brown sandstone of which many such dwellings were constructed. This architectural style is simply a row of homes that share side walls with neighboring residences and are characterized by fairly uniform exteriors. Windows tend to be placed evenly from one home to the next and doorways are similar, as are front steps leading to the sidewalk.
Such homes do range from the simple, working class design and construction of Elfreth’s Alley, to more extravagant, larger buildings such as in Society Hill or Rittenhouse neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Brownstones are also found in other cities, such as Brooklyn, Boston and Washington DC.
Rowhouses became the dwelling of choice in American cities during the birth of our nation and through the nineteenth century, as community populations expanded and homes indicative of industrial prosperity became desirable. The purpose of a brownstone home was simply that – to be a comfortable home, while occupying a small footprint in fledgling cities.
Brownstone spatial arrangements gave flexibility to a family and allowed for entertaining guests as well as respecting the need for privacy. The houses were cut up into rooms and hallways, most commonly on three floors, with each floor and space designed for a specific purpose. The ground level housed the kitchen and family rooms; the parlor (second) floor, was intentionally designed for entertaining, with high ceilings and comfort for groups of people in the living and dining rooms; and the third floor consisted of bedrooms.
Modern buyers of brownstones are not just purchasing a rowhouse, but also all of the original elegance of a home with wonderful spaces and centuries-old architectural ingenuity invested within the floor plan. They also have the added benefit of spatial flexibility. With room for both friends and solitude, brownstones allow for social, yet private lifestyles.
Philadelphia-based architect Jim Branch of DPK&A Architects has worked on numerous buildings in the city, and in his spare time, designs and refurbishes his own home located at 21st and Naudain Street. Just north of famed South Street, these avenues are lined with three story homes with brick facades and wonderful twists and turns on the interior.
Jim has gutted most of his home but has managed to keep the original feel of the building. On the first floor lie the living room and kitchen. To the left, a spiral staircase twirls all the way up to the third floor. On the second story, Jim has created an office and entertaining space by separating two smaller rooms with double doors that open wide to create one larger room if necessary. He considered making this a spare bedroom for family and other guests, but decided against it so he would have more room for himself and for spending time with friends. More and more, people living in these homes are renovating extra bedrooms into living areas for entertaining.
On the third floor, the bedroom awaits. This is the only finished room in the house so far, and Jim has done an exceptional job. The original fireplace has been kept intact with new artwork above and on top of it. Entering this room feels like walking into a different time period that should require candles for lighting and heavy blankets for warmth. Jim has added a comfortable cleanliness that combines with the old to welcome him for rest and relaxation.
His work does not leave much time for socializing in the present, but when Jim finishes his home, he will have the perfect space – enough room for dinner parties or movie nights, along with his own separate quarters to retreat as the party nears its end.
In the midst of Society Hill, historic brownstones are plenty. Years ago when Philadelphia was a baby, Society Hill was so called because William Penn donated the area to the Society of Free Traders. It was not upscale, but rather was filled with brothels and bars. Now Society Hill is a different place, and although the homes have been maintained in their original state, the area itself has grown in sophistication and class.
Caroline George, residing at the John Drinker house at 2nd and Pine, is proud of her brownstone’s original trim and cabinetry, hardwood floors and staircases. Every piece of her home is over two hundred years old, creating wonderful holiday warmth regardless of the time of year.
Caroline and her husband, Ed, enjoy throwing parties, implying that just about anything can be cause for celebration in their home. Whether it is their annual Christmas party or summer events, in which they excitedly open both the inside of their home and small backyard to guests, they often welcome up to ninety five people, although they are also fond of a smaller gathering with co-workers or close friends.
Their residence is conducive to entertaining, with its many rooms and spaces for people to congregate. Various groups of people will meet each other, and voices, loud and soft, resonate throughout the house. The individual rooms create a cozy atmosphere with intimate places for conversations. As most people will find, Caroline swears the kitchen is the favorite meeting place, where the Georges always provide plenty of food, ranging from bowls of tortilla soup to catered hors d’oeuvres.
Caroline appreciates the historic value of her property and the uniqueness of the experience of owning such a home. She feels that she and her husband are simply “stewards of this home,” that it is their job to preserve the integrity and the spirit that lie within. They want to share their space with others so their family and friends can appreciate the history, beauty and antiquity that adds to the atmosphere of their parties.
But, Caroline believes that the brownstone itself does not make a party good or bad. “As long as the right people are there, everyone will have a good time regardless of the space that surrounds them.” She loves to entertain because of the residence she and her husband occupy. But, the excitement and the happiness gained from her parties could be found in a loft, two-bedroom apartment, or single family home, as long as good people are involved. 
