In Centreville, Delaware, a newly constructed farmhouse presents the appearance of a structure that has stood since the Civil War, complete with white clapboard siding, double-hung windows, paneled shutters, and a columned portico. Yet this home, completed just two years ago, is a contemporary build designed to replicate the architectural details of historic homes while incorporating modern engineering and amenities.
This trend of building new residences in traditional styles has gained momentum across the United States, especially in the Northeast where architects often recreate Colonial, Shingle style, English manor, French chateau, Georgian, and stone farmhouse designs. Despite an overall decline in new single-family home construction on the East Coast, demand for these historically inspired homes remains strong.
Joseph Mackin Jr., co-founder of Period Architecture in Pennsylvania, reported a 73% increase in new commissions over six years for traditional-style homes. Gil Schafer, of Schafer & Co., echoed this sentiment, noting his firm is experiencing unprecedented demand and has even had to turn clients away. Many architects attribute the rise to growing dissatisfaction with contemporary architectural trends, which clients view as lacking durability and character.
New Jersey-based architect James Paragano described prevailing modern designs as “flimsy” and “not grounded,” contributing to a wider client shift toward traditional aesthetics. Leonard Steinberg, a New York City corporate real estate agent, chose to commission a neo-Classical-style Georgian brick farmhouse in Greenwich, Connecticut, completed in 2024, to evoke a sense of solidity and craftsmanship.
Attention to detail is paramount among architects working in this niche. Peter Pennoyer of Peter Pennoyer Architects, for example, emphasizes the importance of precise architectural elements down to how a baseboard meets a door frame or how vaults sit on cornices. Many firms incorporate reclaimed or antique materials, such as doors and beams, while newly fabricated components are treated to achieve an aged patina. Unique touches, like historically accurate imperfections in glass panes, further enhance authenticity.
For homeowners, these traditional designs offer emotional resonance as well as architectural cohesion with their surroundings. Pennoyer noted that clients often desire homes with an “old soul” that blend seamlessly into the local environment, reflecting a preference for understated luxury rather than conspicuous statements.
In some regions, such as Palm Beach, Florida, historic preservation ordinances encourage new construction to conform with established architectural traditions rooted in Anglo-Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Spanish influences. Anne Fairfax, a partner at Fairfax & Sammons, highlighted the influx of wealthy buyers relocating from New York and California during the pandemic, contributing to a surge in real estate prices and demand.
The costs of building new “historically styled” homes are substantial, with prices typically ranging between $700 and $1,000 per square foot. Even modest homes often start around $3 million, while larger projects—often exceeding 10,000 square feet—may exceed $10 million. Despite the price, new construction offers advantages over renovating older properties, including adherence to modern environmental standards, the use of energy-efficient materials, and incorporation of contemporary technologies such as engineered lumber.
Customization possibilities also appeal to affluent clients, who often request features beyond the traditional scope, including mudrooms, expanded bathrooms, walk-in closets, and amenities like spas, golf simulators, shooting ranges, indoor pools, and basketball courts. Mackin likened some projects to “taking an old house and putting it on steroids,” noting installations of safe rooms and bunkers.
According to art historian Michael Diaz-Griffith, American residential architecture has historically drawn on revivalism and romanticism, a tradition that persists in the current popularity of historically inspired homes. Architects working in this space stress the importance of maintaining architectural authenticity and proportion. Mackin cautioned against superficial or inconsistent designs that can result in a “Disneyfied” aesthetic lacking credibility.
Overall, the new construction of homes that appear aged and historic reflects a combination of client preferences for craftsmanship, tradition, and modern convenience, supported by architects who bring detailed expertise in classical design.