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Brooklyn Building Types

Postwar Buildings (often referred to as ‘luxury doorman buildings’) are those built after WWII to the mid 1990’s. They are high-rise buildings, often with smaller rooms and alcoves. Most feature through-the wall or central air conditioning and other amenities. Most have doormen.

Prewar Buildings were built before WWII. They usually have larger and wider rooms, fireplaces, hardwood floors and higher ceilings with moldings. Most, but not all, have hallways, entrance galleries, doormen and other amenities.

Town Houses or brownstones are single family houses that in some cases have been converted into multi-unit apartment buildings. Most of these were built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Many offer gardens, fireplaces, and beautiful floors and ornamental interior details. Some are landmarked.

Loft Apartments are typically found in former commercial buildings that have been converted to residential use. These often feature open layouts, high ceilings and are mostly located in lower Brooklyn.

Walk-up Buildings are usually five story buildings without an elevator or doorman. They are among the most affordable housing in Brooklyn, but offer no services or amenities.

New Construction Condominiums which began in the mid 1990’s are either brand new buildings (or converted loft, commercial or rental buildings that are thoroughly gutted) with apartments that have large rooms, beautiful finishes, high ceilings, exquisite baths, spectacular kitchens, many with glorious views and penthouses. These buildings usually come with fabulous amenities including roof decks, fitness centers, indoor pools, wine cellars and are designed by leading designers/architects such as Phillip Johnson, Jean Nouvel, Richard Meier, and Robert AM Stern.