Brownstoner began as "a Brooklyn-based website" [1] and in 2017 added a printed edition. It is currently owned by Schneps Communications, a local operator of other newspapers and digital publications. [1]
Originally titled Brownstoner Magazine, it began as a blog [2] in 2004. [3] A sister site [3] named Queens Brownstoner was begun in 2013 by Brownstoner founder [4] Jonathan Butler, who also launched the Brooklyn Flea [5] and Smorgasburg. [6] [3]
One of Brownstoner's bloggers is a lay historian who writes weekly about Brooklyn architecture, [7] contributes to the site's award feature, [8] and also does a post each month on upstate New York architecture. [7] [9] [10]
Brownstoner was acquired by BlankSlate in 2015 after 10 years and over 42,000 blog posts. [11] BlankSlate was founded by Kael Goodman as a digital marketing agency; [12] Brownstoner was a client.
Schneps Communications acquired Brownstoner from BlankSlate in 2017. [12] Schneps also publishes Brokelyn, The Brooklyn Home Reporter, The Brooklyn Spectator and The Queens Courier.
Brownstoner's Building of the Day award recognizes architectural notability. [8] [13] [3]
Brownstoner writes about the past and the present, and has covered topics including: [8]
The site averages 15 to 20 posts per day on various local subjects of interest. [4] Brownstoner founder Butler conceded that much of his eclectic material comes from tips. [3] [2] [14]