Western Row House or Western Town House

Definition

A Western Row House, also known as a Western Town House, refers to a type of residential building that became popular in the nineteenth century, characterized by its compact form and shared side walls with adjacent houses. Typically, these houses are built to cover entire streets or blocks, creating cohesive and uniform streetscapes. The design is particularly notable for its efficiency in urban land use and its role in the historical context of urban expansion during that era.

Examples

1. Philadelphia, PA: The city has numerous examples of Western Row Houses, particularly in neighborhoods developed in the late 1800s.
2. Boston, MA: Beacon Hill is known for its well-preserved rows of Victorian townhouses.
3. San Francisco, CA: Some western American cities also saw row houses, though less typical than in east coast cities.
4. New York, NY: Neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side feature many historic row houses designed during the 19th century.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What distinguishes a Western Row House from a traditional town house?

• A1: The primary distinction is historical and regional. Western Row Houses typically refer to those built during the 19th century with common walls, in contrast to more modern interpretations of town houses which have similar characteristics but may not adhere to the same architectural specifications or historical context.

Q2: Are Western Row Houses still built today?

• A2: While modern versions of row houses and townhouses are still built today, authentic Western Row Houses are generally limited to those constructed in their original historical period.

Q3: What are the typical features of a Western Row House?

• A3: Typical features include a rectangular layout, side walls shared with adjacent properties, brick or stone facades, and often detailed architectural embellishments on the front.

Q4: How do Western Row Houses contribute to urban development?

• A4: These housing types maximize space efficiency in densely populated urban areas and contribute to the stylistic uniformity and continuity of city streetscapes.

Related Terms with Definitions

• Townhouse: A multi-story home sharing one or more walls with adjacent properties but with individual entrances.
• Brownstone: A particular style of townhouse that includes a brown sandstone façade, common in New York City.
• Terraced House: Similar to row houses but more commonly used in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.
• Urban Housing: Housing that is designed to maximize space and resources in densely populated urban areas.
• Victorian Architecture: Refer to the distinctive architectural styles during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837-1901, many row houses were built in this style.

Online Resources

1. National Registry of Historic Places (NRHP): Offers a database of registered historical homes, including Western Row Houses.
2. Historic New England: Website detailing the history of row houses and other architectural styles in New England.
3. CitiesBeautiful: Provides virtual tours and history of historic urban housing, including Western Row Houses.
4. Old House Online: A magazine and online resource dedicated to historic homes and architecture, including restoration tips.

References

• Murtagh, William J. “Keeping Time: The History and Theory of Preservation in America.” John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
• Roth, Leland M. “American Architecture: A History.” Westview Press, 2001.
• Jordy, William H. “American Buildings and Their Architects: Technology and the Picturesque.”

Suggested Books for Further Studies

• “The Brownstone: An Architectural and Social History of a New York Neighborhood” by Charles Lockwood
• “The Victorian House Book” by Robin Guild
• “Row Houses: Building the Urban Environment” edited by Gunnar Asplund
• “American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home” by Lester Walker
• “The Architecture of the Well-Tempered Environment” by Reyner Banham

Real Estate Basics: Western Row House Fundamentals Quiz