Definition of row house

The term "row house," also known as a "townhouse," refers to a type of attached residential property where multiple identical or similarly designed units are constructed in a row, sharing a common wall. The origins of this architectural design can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution, when urban population growth led to an increase in demand for affordable housing. In cities like London and Manchester in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, row houses, or "terraced houses," as they were called, emerged as a solution to packing a large number of people into small urban spaces. These houses were often built in long rows, with each house sharing a party wall with the next, allowing for a more efficient use of land. The term "row house" became common in the United States in the 19th century, as cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore began to expand rapidly. Here, these houses became an affordable alternative to traditional single-family homes, particularly for working-class families. Today, row houses continue to be popular in urban areas where space is at a premium, as they allow for compact, high-density development that maximizes land use. Despite their tightly packed nature, row houses often feature unique architectural details, such as balconies, bay windows, and decorative brickwork, that add character and charm to the urban landscape.