Second Empire Town Houses

Second Empire elements were common in town houses during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. A benefit of the high mansard rood was the additional size of the third floor, an important consideration given urban space limitations. Unlike the detached house, the town house usually had a true mansard only at the front facade; parapet walls continued up a full story on each side elevation. Second Empire town houses are found in Soulard, Hyde Park, Old North St. Louis, Benton Park and Carondelet. (St. Louis, 1995)