The Great NYC Brownstone Census: A Quest for the Elusive Count
Ah, the brownstone. The quintessential New York City dwelling. Evoking images of stoop-sitting seniors and Carrie Bradshaw skipping down brownstone steps. But have you ever wondered, amidst the hustle and bustle, just how many of these architectural beauties grace the NYC landscape?
Fear not, fellow citizen, for we delve into the perplexing predicament of the brownstone census.
The Data Dilemma: Where Do Brownstones Hide?
Unlike, say, pigeons (let's face it, we probably don't even want to know that number), obtaining a definitive count of brownstones proves trickier than navigating rush hour traffic on a single-speed bike. Here's the rub:
- The Elusive "Row House": New York City doesn't have an official category for "row houses," which is what brownstones technically are. So, they get lumped in with all sorts of other buildings.
- The Facade Facade: Many a true brownstone might be hiding a brick heart under a brownstone veneer. Can you trust your eyes on a bustling city street?
Moral of the story: Getting a straight answer on brownstone numbers is about as likely as encountering a friendly cab driver during a downpour.
Enter the Intrepid Investigators (That's Us!)
But fret not, fellow New Yorkers! We, intrepid explorers of the urban jungle, have unearthed some fascinating (and occasionally dubious) attempts to crack the brownstone code.
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The Renegade Cartographer: A fearless soul named Neil Freeman took on the challenge, analyzing tax lot data to identify potential row houses. His estimate? A whopping 300,000! But is it just wishful thinking, or the holy grail of brownstone numbers?
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The Public Participation Project: This one involves you, yes you! An "Is it a Brownstone?" quiz allows you to classify photos of suspect buildings. A few hundred thousand votes later, and maybe, just maybe, we'll have a crowd-sourced answer.
So, How Many Brownstones Are There, Really?
Honestly? Your guess is as good as ours. The true number might be forever shrouded in mystery, a delightful enigma that adds to the magic of the brownstone itself.
But here's the beauty of it all: the exact number doesn't diminish the charm of these historic structures. Whether there are hundreds of thousands or a tad less, brownstones remain a cornerstone (pun intended!) of NYC's character.
So, the next time you stroll by a brownstone, take a moment to appreciate its history and architectural grandeur. And hey, if you see Neil Freeman out there with his measuring tape, maybe offer him a high five.
