The unique charm of rowhouses, Craftsman-style homes, and Victorians is fading beneath a coat of gray in gentrifying neighborhoods across the US.

The visual landscape in some areas is undergoing a significant transformation due to the rapid ‘grayification’ of homes. In Washington, DC, the traditional red-brick rowhouses and vibrant murals are gradually being replaced by monochromatic facades.

According to an analysis by the Washington Post, there is a growing prevalence of gray homes in gentrifying neighborhoods in DC, which is coinciding with escalating home prices, complaints about noise, and the displacement of Black residents.

Newly built or renovated homes are replacing vibrant shades of red, yellow, and brown with muted tones like Shark Fin and Deep Space. 

The study, which used Google Street View, grouped exterior colors into broader categories to track the shift.

Experts in academia point out that gray, contemporary homes are often indicative of affluence and extravagance. These understated hues are viewed as symbols of wealth, showcasing not only meticulous maintenance but also catering to specific buyer preferences.

‘It all comes down to this perception of wealth and luxury, this idea that neutrals indicate status – painted brick takes more to upkeep than regular brick,’ Libby Rasmussen, a color enthusiast who lives in DC and owns a home decor company, told the Post.

‘If you have a light-gray or white house, it signals you can afford to keep it clean.’

DC’s transformation is particularly noticeable in Ward 5, including Eckington, where warm browns and reds have largely been supplanted by grays, blacks, and whites. 

In gentrifying urban areas, the charm of historic homes is being replaced by gray exteriors

A Washington Post analysis found the shift correlates with rising home prices, noise complaints, and Black displacement

While this trend has predominated in Northwest Washington, it’s now spreading to Wards 7 and 8, fueled by new developments.

Scholars connect this shift to broader themes of post-racial urbanism, where a minimalist aesthetic is meant to be inclusive but often erases cultural and historical identities, catering instead to affluent newcomers.

‘The concept of a post-race America is tied up in these aesthetics. It’s sort of a “Everyone is welcome here, and no one should feel uncomfortable if the aesthetic is uniform.” Gray is a way to flatten difference,’ said Brandi T. Summers, an associate professor of African American and African diaspora studies at Columbia University.

‘But when you create an aesthetic that is supposed to be minimalist and monocultural, it extinguishes difference. It doesn’t allow different people from different cultures to actually be different.’ 

DC’s real estate market has embraced the trend, with agents advising sellers to repaint their homes in neutral tones to attract buyers. 

Sales analyses reveal that homes with the updated gray aesthetic often sell for significantly higher prices than those with original colors and designs.

Nationwide, the preference for darker, muted exteriors has been growing, according to surveys from platforms like Zillow. 

This shift accelerated during the pandemic, as buyers increasingly sought homes as retreats. In DC, noise complaints in gentrified neighborhoods highlight a preference for quieter, more controlled environments.

Gray homes, often seen as symbols of wealth and luxury, are becoming dominant in neighborhoods like Ward 5 on DC, and the trend is spreading.

This trend is also seen in other cities like San Francisco, where gray exteriors are linked to broader socioeconomic changes

Real estate markets encourage this aesthetic, as homes with neutral tones tend to sell for higher prices

The trend isn’t limited to the nation’s capital. 

In San Francisco, known for its colorful Victorian homes, the rise of gray exteriors has sparked backlash. 

In historically Latino neighborhoods like the Mission District, residents view the shift as symbolic of deeper socioeconomic changes. 

Studies have even linked the spread of gray homes in the Mission District to increased police activity and immigration enforcement.

Similar trends have emerged in cities like Nashville and Chicago, where older homes are being renovated or replaced to fit contemporary tastes. 

With exterior design trends shifting in 15-year cycles, the gray-home movement may be peaking. 

But its likely successors – black-and-white contrasts or deep charcoal hues – suggest that the monochromatic aesthetic will continue.