New England Architecture 101 – Second Empire

The Second Empire home is like a square Italianate that went to France and came back with a modern and stylish hat. The distinctive dual-pitched hipped roof, named for 17th-century architect François Mansart, was enjoying a revival during the reign of Napoleon III (France’s Second Empire), which then spread across the Atlantic.

Time Period: 1855–1885

Defining Characteristic: Mansard roof

Famous Examples: Boston’s Old City Hall and Providence City Hall, and visit Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

Where to Find Second Empire Homes: Throughout the Northeast, as both residences and public buildings

How to Spot a Second Empire Home

1. Paint: House and trim are two shades of the same color, with dark shutters

2. Roof: A classic dual-pitched mansard roof

3. Exterior: Decorative details include cornices under the eaves and quoins at the corners

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Bruce Irving

Bruce Irving is a home renovation consultant, real estate agent, and author with nearly 35 years’ experience with houses, including 17 as producer of the television series This Old House and its sister shows, where he earned an Emmy and learned the hallmarks of quality design and construction. Bruce writes about architecture and design for several publications and is the author of New England Icons, a book about the region’s built environment.

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