Belgian block streets can still be found throughout many historic neighborhoods in New York City. In some areas, they form the entire street surface, while in others, they may be partially exposed due to the wear and tear of the asphalt pavement, revealing the historical roadbed underneath. These cobblestone streets exist within and outside of historic districts officially designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Within these districts, these historic cobblestones are protected as an essential part of the district's overall character, just like its historic architecture.
The stone pavement commonly found on streets throughout New York City is not cobblestone but rather a tooled type of granite stone known as Belgian blocks. According to a 2017 report by the Historic Districts Council (HDC), these granite blocks are primarily rectangular and were used in various cities across the United States. They are distinct from cobblestones, which are naturally rounded and unprocessed stones and were in use until around 1860.
The stone pavement commonly found on streets throughout New York City is not cobblestone but rather a tooled type of granite stone known as Belgian blocks. According to a 2017 report by the Historic Districts Council (HDC), these granite blocks are primarily rectangular and were used in various cities across the United States. They are distinct from cobblestones, which are naturally rounded and unprocessed stones and were in use until around 1860.
In this article:
In various lower Manhattan and northern Brooklyn neighborhoods such as SoHo, TriBeCa, the Meatpacking District, Red Hook, and DUMBO, these Belgian-blocked streets play a pivotal role in defining the character of the neighborhood. Despite their status as protected features within historic districts, many of these pavements are gradually disappearing from our streets as utility companies haphazardly remove these stones, only to replace them inadequately. Instead of using the original blocks, they often patch the areas with asphalt or other cement-like materials, creating unsightly and uneven surfaces. This practice has been particularly prevalent in DUMBO, where the historic streets and railroads are integral to the neighborhood's unique industrial character.
As a tribute to these beloved streets, discover below a variety of available homes within buildings that front at least one cobblestone street. While most listings are situated in quieter locations of the city, cobblestone streets may pose challenges, including increased noise and difficulties for cyclists and pedestrians. Over the decades, poorly maintained cobblestone streets have become tripping hazards, leading to their gradual removal. Nonetheless, community advocacy groups have been pushing to preserve these historic streets and encourage the DOT to replace them with smoother blocked surfaces.
As a tribute to these beloved streets, discover below a variety of available homes within buildings that front at least one cobblestone street. While most listings are situated in quieter locations of the city, cobblestone streets may pose challenges, including increased noise and difficulties for cyclists and pedestrians. Over the decades, poorly maintained cobblestone streets have become tripping hazards, leading to their gradual removal. Nonetheless, community advocacy groups have been pushing to preserve these historic streets and encourage the DOT to replace them with smoother blocked surfaces.
354 West 12th Street, #5D (Compass)
99 Bank Street, #3B (Compass)
The Bridges, #4D (Compass)
The Broad Exchange Building, #14K
$965,000
Financial District | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 779 ft2
The Broad Exchange Building, #14K (Reuveni LLC)
The Conover, #3D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
61 Jane Street, #5A (Corcoran Group)
1 Tiffany Place, #2G (Compass)
70 Washington Street, #9I (Brown Harris Stevens Brooklyn LLC)
8 Greene Street, #5 (Compass)
The SoCa Building, #1S (Compass)
111 Barrow Street, #6D
$2,075,000 (-5.5%)
West Village | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths | 1,500 ft2
111 Barrow Street, #6D (Compass)
18 Mercer Street, #1A (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Vestry Place Condominiums, #2A (Compass)
J Condominium, #16A (Sothebys International Realty)
450 Washington Street, #212 (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
7 Bond Street, #4C (Compass)
SoHo Mews, #5F (Serhant LLC)
166 Bank Street, #3A (Compass)
7 Wooster Street, #4B (Compass)
One Kenmare Square, #2E (Compass)
155 Perry Street, #2D (Sothebys International Realty)
139 Wooster Street, #3A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
275 Water Street, #56
$3,495,000
Financial District | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 3,121 ft2
275 Water Street, #56 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Franklin Place, #8A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
The North Moore, #2A (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
The Zinc Building, #2A (Coldwell Banker Warburg)
45 Crosby Street, #4S (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
The Hohner Building, #4W (Serhant LLC)
22 Bond, #67 (Corcoran Group)
41 Bond Street, #6 (Compass)
7 Bond Street, #PHA (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
