Editing Philadelphia Rowhouse (section)

== History ==

=== Colonial Origins ===

Philadelphia's rowhouse tradition began in the colonial period, when attached houses in the English Georgian style lined streets near the Delaware River. These earliest surviving examples—on Elfreth's Alley and nearby streets—show the form established by the mid-eighteenth century. Colonial rowhouses were typically modest in size, with two or three stories and simple brick facades.<ref name="row"/>

=== Nineteenth-Century Expansion ===

The nineteenth century saw explosive rowhouse construction as Philadelphia expanded in all directions. Developers built entire blocks simultaneously, creating the uniform streetscapes that characterize many neighborhoods. Styles evolved through Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian iterations, each adding distinctive details while maintaining the basic attached form.<ref name="row"/>

The nineteenth century also developed the distinctive Philadelphia rowhouse variations:

* '''Two-story houses''' — Modest workers' housing in industrial neighborhoods
* '''Three-story houses''' — Middle-class neighborhoods, often with bay windows
* '''Four-story houses''' — Larger houses in wealthy areas
* '''The "Trinity"''' — Three small rooms stacked vertically, often just one room per floor

Builders developed efficient construction methods, creating substantial quantities of housing that made Philadelphia more affordable than comparable cities.<ref name="row"/>

=== Twentieth-Century Evolution ===

Twentieth-century construction shifted toward three-story houses with larger rooms and modern amenities. The "daylight rowhouse," with deep light wells, improved ventilation in the home's center. Post-World War II construction in Northeast Philadelphia and other expanding areas continued the rowhouse tradition in newer styles.<ref name="row"/>