Greystones

Greystones line many Chicago streets. Behind the stone front they are usually brick buildings with plaster interiors, built as single-family homes or as two- and three-flats.

What it is

• Greystone names a way of building rather than one style: a masonry building whose street facade is Bedford limestone quarried in south-central Indiana. They were popular from about 1890 to 1930 and range from cottages and two-flats to row houses and mansions.

  Source: Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative, 2009; hosted by Landmarks Illinois) (opens in a new tab)

• The 2009 guidelines estimated about 30,000 greystones remaining in Chicago, concentrated in a Greystone Belt roughly three to seven miles from the Loop that takes in North Lawndale, Logan Square, Woodlawn and Hyde Park.

  Source: Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative, 2009; hosted by Landmarks Illinois) (opens in a new tab)

• Earlier greystones tend to have rough-cut (rusticated) limestone fronts and later ones smooth stone, with brick side walls. Most are two or three stories, though one-story shoebox versions exist.

  Source: Chicago Vintage Home Styles (Chicago Bungalow Association) (opens in a new tab)

Renovating one today

• The greystone guidelines say to repoint only joints that are actually failing, using soft Type O mortar matched to the original in strength, color and joint profile, and to avoid Portland cement, sandblasting, grit or high-pressure washing, and paint or sealers.

  Source: Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative, 2009; hosted by Landmarks Illinois) (opens in a new tab)

• The guidelines stress finding root causes first: deteriorating stone often traces back to roof leaks, clogged gutters or settling foundations, and masonry repaired without fixing the leak will keep failing.

  Source: Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative, 2009; hosted by Landmarks Illinois) (opens in a new tab)

• Original wood windows and art or leaded glass should be kept and repaired where possible. The guidelines favor thin-profile storm windows for efficiency, discourage vinyl replacements on street-facing facades, and advise against resizing original openings to fit stock windows.

  Source: Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative, 2009; hosted by Landmarks Illinois) (opens in a new tab)

• For mechanical systems the guidelines recommend an energy assessment with a blower-door test, replacing fuse boxes with circuit breakers, bringing wiring up to code, replacing a lead water main with copper, and adding basement floor drains.

  Source: Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative, 2009; hosted by Landmarks Illinois) (opens in a new tab)

• Inside, the guidelines advise keeping principal rooms and original trim, staircases, built-ins and mantels, and not stripping plaster to expose brick or stone. Finishing attics or basements for extra living space is presented as acceptable.

  Source: Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative, 2009; hosted by Landmarks Illinois) (opens in a new tab)

Programs and resources

• Greystone Design Guidelines (Historic Chicago Greystone Initiative) (opens in a new tab)

  A 2009 illustrated do-and-don't booklet for greystone repairs, still online through Landmarks Illinois; the initiative's own NHS program pages returned not-found on 2026-09-30, so its current status is unconfirmed.

• City of Chicago economic incentives for historic buildings (opens in a new tab)

  City flyer (revised Oct. 31, 2025) listing incentives for Chicago Landmark and National Register contributing buildings, such as permit fee waivers in Landmark districts and the historic assessment freeze for owner-occupied homes.

• Illinois Property Tax Assessment Freeze for historic residences (opens in a new tab)

  State program for owner-occupied historic homes, including buildings of up to six units where the owner lives in one, after a rehab approved against federal preservation standards.

• City of Chicago lead service line replacement programs (opens in a new tab)

  Department of Water Management programs for replacing lead water service lines, with income-based and owner-initiated options.

How we approach it

Interior work comes first in our plan: plaster, heat, kitchens and baths. Facade and masonry work goes to masonry specialists, and we coordinate it if it is part of your project.

Original features are noted at the walk-through so the scope can price keeping them separately from replacing them.

Services that fit

• Whole-home renovation
• Two-flat and multi-unit renovation
• Drywall, plaster and paint
• Heating and water heaters

Facts on this page were checked on September 30, 2026. Follow the source links for the full details.