Maisonettes and Parlor Floor

A "Parlor floor" of a row house/brownstone was typically the second floor, with extra-high ceilings because it was a public space. If the term isn't a lie, it should be the nice and most expensive floor of the brownstone.

A "Maisonette" is a first floor apartment with its own entrance, so that you don't have to use the public entrance of the building. I feel like ten years ago maisonettes traded at a little bit of a discount because no one wanted the security risk of being on the first floor, while now I feel like they trade at a little bit of a premium because privacy is more prized.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

Sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Maisonette is a ground floor apt with separate entrance.
Parlor floor is usually the 2nd floor of a brownstone,
typically the entrance for guests and therefore the
ceilings are higher than other floors, typically 12-14 feet.

Thanks for the info.

@front_porch -- I feel like maisonettes are not frequently on the market, or that there aren't many of them - is this the case or are brokers listing them with different terminology? Are there any other common descriptions for them?

You are right, tandare. There are not many of them. And among existing big part used as a commercial space (doctor's offices for example)

elena
(broker)

Damn, front_porch beat me to the buzzer.

LOL, kgg I am sure you will win the next one.

tandare, I can't tell you how much easier the Internet has made everyone's life.

www.nytimes.com will allow you to search on the keyword "maisonette" -- go have fun!

ali r.
{downtown broker}

this may seem obvious, but were most doctors offices spaces originally built as residences?

thanks front_porch - doubtful I'd find something within our range, but always fun to look at the different types of homes in NYC. I've seen some maisonettes (months ago) but they weren't listed as maisonettes, even though now that I know what they're called that's clearly what they were.