cedar fencing this tall buys you privacy from the street, though the neighbors above still have front row seats. twenty feet of width and 500 square feet is proper outdoor room territory, and someone already furnished it that way. west-facing means afternoon light and a patio heater for when that fades. the mature tree softens what is otherwise a blank slate, no landscaping to speak of beyond borrowed greenery. a living level space that actually lives like one.

this terrace has the access, size and views that make it extremely desirable,,, the one drawback is that at this elevation, wind can really affect the usability.

fifteen feet of width on a direct living terrace is the threshold where you stop arranging furniture defensively and start hosting. the artificial turf is a choice, but the western exposure delivers afternoon light and city views that don't require explanation. privacy reads high, neighbors mostly minding their own rooftops. a proper solo coffee spot that scales up for four without anyone standing.

twelve feet of width on a second level terrace, and they've actually done something with it. that composite bench runs long enough for a proper stretch, and the young trees in those planters will fill in nicely over the next few summers. the skyline view past that glass tower gives you something to look at besides your neighbor's hvac. good privacy here, which on a rooftop in manhattan usually means the surrounding buildings haven't figured out their own outdoor spaces yet. room for a small dinner party, solo morning coffee, or just watching cranes build the next thing blocking someone else's view.

a direct living terrace with over 2,000 square feet and 30 feet of width is the kind of space that earns the word penthouse. the pergola creates a proper outdoor room, not just a platform with furniture. city and water views, solid privacy, and enough square footage to host everyone you know or blissfully ignore them all.

although the direct living terrace is more a balcony, the terrace off the dining room adds real optionality