that ornate iron railing and the beaux-arts detailing tell you this is a prewar setback terrace, not a modern afterthought. eight feet of width over central park with billionaires' row as the backdrop. the plantings are thoughtful, the two chairs positioned for morning coffee rather than dinner parties. a second level terrace built for contemplation.

thirteen hundred square feet on a second level terrace with central park spread out below and billionaires row serving as the backdrop. thirty-five feet wide, which means actual entertaining space, not the polite fiction of it. the staging is virtual, but the view is not. a separate 700 square foot direct living terrace downstairs handles daily life.

eight and a half feet of width puts this just over the threshold for actual use, and the westward orientation means afternoon light without the summer scorch. a direct living terrace with honest city views, a small tree doing its best in a planter, and weathered teak furniture that suggests someone actually sits here. the neighbor sightlines are real but not oppressive. room for two to dine comfortably, four if everyone likes each other. the bones are simple, the potential is there.

well proportioned to accommodate lounging and dining sections simultaneous, and a good privacy barrier from the building across the street make this a very usable terrace

too narrow for dining or entertaining, this terrace also lacks charm, but it more than makes up for that with vistas and a lovely hot tub.

direct living from a true penthouse, with french doors opening straight onto mature plantings that somebody else spent years growing in. the width is comfortable enough for that bistro set, though a proper dinner party would require creative choreography. brick backdrop, rooftop views, and neighbors close enough to wave at. coffee for two works better than cocktails for eight.

the elevation and the dimensions, as well as the location of these terraces make them a very little practical use. however, the views from this elevation are pretty spectacular. if you must have a cigarette, this is as good places.

this photo shows interior rooms, not the terrace itself, which tells you something about marketing priorities. ten feet of width on a direct living setup is solidly usable, enough for a proper table and a few guests who actually like each other. three hundred square feet with city views north and west, some neighbor sightlines to navigate. coffee for one works fine; dinner for six requires strategic seating arrangements and a tolerance for being observed.

this terrace is safely tucked in the back corner of the building surrounded by the building, so it is very quiet, at her expense of a very limited view

four feet wide is standing room and a potted plant, which is exactly what a second level terrace this size delivers. city views north and west, some neighborly sightlines to keep you honest. the broker calls it mostly useless for entertaining, and four feet of depth does not argue back.

those bi-fold doors earn their keep here, turning 362 square feet into a genuine extension of the living room rather than a place you visit. twelve feet of width, jersey city skyline across the water, afternoon light doing exactly what you want it to. the planters are modest but intentional, and nobody's looking in. a second living level terrace adds options for those who like their morning coffee somewhere different than their evening drink.

although technically a second level terrace, its connectivity to the kitchen has earned it direct living status, this terrace is a unsuspected oasis with room for everything.