What is a Victorian Style Apartment?

Victorian-style is a type of architecture that emulates the old-world style. While some homeowners might consider it old-fashioned, others relish the enjoyment of this unique European design style.

Even if you prefer a modern abode or a Craftsman-style apartment, Victorian homes can be designed to your liking and maintain that character. Here's everything you need to know about Victorian-style homes, their features, history, and where to find this type of architecture.

What Is Victorian-Style?

For more than two centuries, the Victorian style has been a coveted apartment design style. When imagining this architectural style in your head, consider blending old English with a colorful dollhouse.

Features of Victorian-Style Apartments?

Victorian-style apartments typically refer to homes built during a particular period in history but are also associated with common characteristics. As a result, when identifying original Victorian apartments, there are many features to look out for.

Exteriors

These castle-like homes were no stranger to vibrant exterior paint colors. Common hues amongst Victorian-style apartments include everything from darker shades to vibrant hues. Other standard exterior features of Victorian-style apartments include:

• Highly decorative woodwork
• Ornate exterior (including turrets and towers)
• Steep, gabled roofs
• Stone and wood construction
• Two or three stories
• Large and imposing structure

Another signature trait of Victorian-style apartments is their tendency to be vertical leaning. A benefit to this design style is that you get to enjoy the benefit of high ceilings. But, unfortunately, it comes at a cost as the rooms within these homes are narrow and long.

Interiors

The characteristics of a Victorian-style apartment don’t stop at the curb appeal. The insides of these homes are also known for their sheer brilliance. Turrets and verandas are typical amongst the interior of Victorian-style homes and various rooms, including a library, den, living room, and other multi-purpose rooms.

• Sun-soaked rooms
• Unique framing or ceiling designs
• High ceilings
• Intricate doorway and window molding

If you prefer apartments that have open floor plans, Victorian-style homes might not be the best fit for you. However, in updated units, you’ll find that designers have found unique ways to open up some of the traditional nooks and crannies that are signature aspects of these homes.

History of Victorian-Style?

Not surprisingly, Victorian-style architecture emerged in the United Kingdom during Queen Victoria’s reign. In the mid-to-late 1800s, upper-class citizens grew fond of this particular design style that came with heavy influence from the Industrial Revolution.

As British architects began taking their designs with them to colonized countries across the globe, Victorian-style home design became a worldwide trend. Today, you can find Victorian houses everywhere from Australia, Europe, and North America.

While Victorian-style apartment homes are no stranger to vibrant colors, the history behind that stems from the experimentation of paint colors during this time. The Victorians of the time were looking to find the next fashionable designs. As a result, almost all designs have hints of black or somber hues, paying homage to the late Queen’s husband.

The interior layouts of the homes were focused on creating both public and private spaces, hence the many nooks and crannies. The concept of an open floor plan would have been entirely off base to society of this time. Instated, each room of the home served its function and would be sectioned off to accomplish this more intentionally.

Where You’ll Find Victorian-Style Apartments

In the United States, Victorian-era architecture was popular from 1860 to 1900 as British architects were bringing their designs overseas. Today, there are plenty of cities across the country that boast beautiful displays of these historic homes, including the option to rent one, or at least part of one, for yourself.

Here are a few cities where you can look for Victorian-Style apartments.

Queen Anne, Seattle, Washington

Amongst Seattle’s fabled seven hills lies Queen Anne Hill, the tallest of the bunch at around 450 feet above Lake Union and Elliot Bay. The name of this neighborhood pays homage to the Victorian homes here that root back as far as the 1890s. Some of the notable features of these Victorian-style apartments include:

• Round towers
• Partial or full-width porches
• Asymmetrical facades
• Patterned shingles or other textured walls
• Front-facing gable
• Irregularly shaped and hipped roofs
• Steeply pitched roofs

San Francisco, California

The Painted Ladies are possibly the most talked-about Victorian-style homes in the country. Found in San Francisco, these homes amongst countless others throughout the city.

From the Painted Ladies in Alamo Square to the modest Victorian-style apartments in Bernal Heights to the grandiose mansions of Pacific Heights, the city is filled to the brim with historic homes. Here are just a few of the different types of Victorian-style apartments you can find in the city:

Queen Anne

• Faux outdoor spaces or balconies
• Columns
• Asymmetrical architecture
• Multiple stories

Eastlake

• Diagonal embellishments
• Detailed and prominent stick style woodwork
• Half-timbered look
• Squared bay windows

Italianate

• Freestanding Italianate villa
• Slant front
• Flat front

Cape May Historic District, Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is one of the country’s first seaside resort towns, so it’s not surprising to know that many of the homes here were built during the historic Victorian times. Here, you can find various styles of Victorian architecture apartments, including:

• French Second Empire
• Italianate
• Gothic Revival
• Queen Anne Style

Lafayette Square, St. Louis, Missouri

The less popular Painted Ladies are found in Lafayette Square in St. Louis, Missouri. Here, you will find Second Empire-style Victorian townhouses, with features that include:

• Cut stone sills
• Arched windows and doors
• Creatively painted dormers
• Beautifully painted brackets
• Mansard roofs

Garden District, New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is another region that is rich in history. The Garden District is a specific area with tons of Victorian-style homes. Of them, you can find the following styles:

• Italianate
• Queen Anne
• Eastlake

Old Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky

Another historic neighborhood is found in Old Louisville. The streets are lined with Victorian-style homes, many of which are made with extensive stained glass windows and brick exteriors. Specific styles of Victorian-style homes you can find here include:

• Italianate
• Gothic
• Romanesque
• Queen Anne

Final Thoughts

Deciding if a Victorian-style rental is suitable for you depends on personal preference. If you like the idea of a high ceiling and lots of natural light, a Victorian-style apartment is going to be an excellent option.

Alternatively, if you prefer more horizontal landscapes with open floor plans, you might want to reconsider.

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Thankfully, now that you have a better idea of a Victorian-style apartment and the pros and cons of renting one, you can decide what is best suited for your lifestyle.

Interested in finding your dream home today? Consider listing with Apartment List!