Brownstoner began as "a Brooklyn-based website"[1] and in 2017 added a printed edition. It is currently owned by Schneps Communications, a local operator of other newspapers and digital publications.[1]

History

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Weblog

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Originally titled Brownstoner Magazine, it began as a blog[2] in 2004.[3] A sister site[3] named Queens Brownstoner was begun in 2013 by Brownstoner founder[4] Jonathan Butler, who also launched the Brooklyn Flea[5] and Smorgasburg.[6][3]

One of Brownstoner's bloggers is a lay historian who writes weekly about Brooklyn architecture,[7] contributes to the site's award feature,[8] and also does a post each month on upstate New York architecture.[7][9][10]

BlankSlate

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Brownstoner was acquired by BlankSlate in 2015 after 10 years and over 42,000 blog posts.[11] BlankSlate was founded by Kael Goodman as a digital marketing agency;[12] Brownstoner was a client.

Schneps Communications

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Schneps Communications acquired Brownstoner from BlankSlate in 2017.[12] Schneps also publishes Brokelyn, The Brooklyn Home Reporter, The Brooklyn Spectator and The Queens Courier.

Building of the day award

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Brownstoner's Building of the Day award recognizes architectural notability.[8][13][3]

Coverage

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Brownstoner writes about the past and the present, and has covered topics including:[8]

  • A 1650s building believed to be the oldest existing building in New York State
  • The laying out of the NYC street grid
  • Effects of the development of the NYC train system's three component divisions on the growth of housing
  • Areas that remained farmland even as parts of Brooklyn were growing into a city
  • Noting a web site that listed more than 100 "micro-neighborhoods" in Brooklyn
  • Covering smaller two-family houses developed by Fred Trump, who was better known for his larger buildings.

The site averages 15 to 20 posts per day on various local subjects of interest.[4] Brownstoner founder Butler conceded that much of his eclectic material comes from tips.[3][2][14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Corey Kilgannon (October 18, 2017). "The Community Newspaper Queen, of Queens". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b Andrew Rice (March 18, 2011). "The Supersizer of Brooklyn". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b c d e Vera Haller (June 28, 2013). "Queens: The New Frontier for a Brooklyn Blogger". The New York Times.
  4. ^ a b Samantha Storey (January 23, 2009). "And the Blog Goes On". The New York Times. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  5. ^ Brooklyn Flea
  6. ^ smorgasburg
  7. ^ a b Sharon Otterman (February 24, 2014). "Blogger Keeps Focus on Brooklyn Architecture, but Now Mostly From Upstate". The New York Times.
  8. ^ a b c Suzanne Spellen (September 23, 2013). "Building of the Day: 649-677 East 91st Street". Brownstoner.com (Brownstoner Magazine).
  9. ^ "Writing under the pen name Montrose Morris"
  10. ^ Matt Chaban (September 5, 2012). "Goodbye Montrose Morris, Brooklyn Will Not Be the Same Without You". The New York Observer.
  11. ^ Cate Corcoran (March 16, 2015). "Brownstoner Has Been Acquired by BlankSlate".
  12. ^ a b "Big News: Brownstoner Has a New Owner". 9 February 2017.
  13. ^ "Listing of the day" is how Butler's Queens Brownstoner lists that publication's awards
  14. ^ "Bean & Bean .. new location .. wasn’t even on their Web site .. (someone) sent me a photo"