Best Cities for Italianate Architecture in America

"What became known as the Italianate style largely consists of boxlike two- to three-story houses with wide roof eaves supported by large brackets. However, the style is quite flexible, appearing in all types of structures from simple farmhouses to urban row-houses and grand villas with towers. As cast-iron became more popular in the 1860s, Italianate houses also began to use cast-iron moldings for ornamental tracery in porches, balconies, railings, and fences. Many high-style Italianate villas feature cupolas or belvederes to serve as observatories."

"Today, there are over 4,000 listings categorized as Italianate in the National Register of Historic Places. And while thousands more Italianate buildings exist throughout the country without formal historic status, a look at NRHP listings by address reveal the best cities for seeing Italianate architecture in America. To determine the best cities for Italianate architecture, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on historic properties from the National Register of Historic Places of the U.S. National Park Service."

Italianate architecture originated from English picturesque and Italian villa models and was introduced to the United States after development in England by John Nash and Sir Charles Barry. The style typically features boxlike two- to three-story houses with wide roof eaves supported by large brackets, but it adapts to farmhouses, row-houses, and grand villas with towers. Cast-iron ornamentation became common in the 1860s for porches, balconies, railings, and fences. Many high-style Italianate villas include cupolas or belvederes. The National Register lists over 4,000 Italianate properties, with concentrations in specific U.S. cities and 10 of the top 25 located in Massachusetts.

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